Kirklees Business News, May 2009

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A CAMPAIGN alerting workers to their national minimum wage rights has reached thousands of people across Yorkshire, official figures show.

The Government’s It’s Your Call campaign reached 8,390 people in Yorkshire following a series of roadshows, including ones in Huddersfield, Leeds and Sheffield.

The campaign was launched

by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson last November, reached 2,023 people in Huddersfield, 3,579 in Leeds and 2,788 in Sheffield during campaign visits in December.

UK-wide more than 50,000 people were alerted by the campaign.

Rosie Winterton, Minister for Yorkshire, said: "The national minimum wage has had a huge and lasting impact on the lives of millions of UK workers over the last 10 years. About 108,000 people in Yorkshire and the Humber are better off after the latest increase in the rate.

“This campaign gave some of the most vulnerable workers in the region the face to face advice and support they needed, helping them to take action where necessary.

“Anyone who may not be receiving the national minimum wage or just wants advice about the rules should call the helpline on 0845 6000678.”

n MOVING ON: Teo Greenstreet, who is leaving the Media Centre to pursue other interests

Media message THE man at the helm of Huddersfield’s award-winning media centre is standing down this summer to pursue his own creative ventures.

Chief executive Teo Greenstreet said: “Over the last three years, my focus has been entirely on securing the future of the Media Centre – not just bringing on stream the fourth media centre managed building, but also by restating the company’s purpose, refocusing the brand, and strengthening the team, the finances and the creative programme.

“With an excellent management team and growing demand for our products and services, it’s a good time for me to move on and focus on some new creative ventures of my own.”

The Media Centre board recognises the enormous contribution Teo has

made to the company in the past three years.

Lee Corner, who chairs the board of directors, said: “There is an energy, an enthusiasm and a can-do feel that has revitalised our company.

“Teo has managed a period of considerable behind-the-scenes change with skill and care and developed a dynamic team to ensure the Media Centre maintains its high quality service for creative businesses in the region.

“And he has firmly reconnected The Media Centre with its creative constituency through the Salon events, partnership with Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and ever-increasing connections with the university.

“We are extremely sorry to see him

go, but equally proud of all he has achieved.”

During Mr Greenstreet’s time at the Media Centre, capacity has increased by 70%. He also oversaw the opening of the landmark £5m Friendly Street building – the greenest business centre building in the UK – which was opened by the Queen in May, 2007.

During 2009, the Media Centre will be developing its new Connect service, a by-the-hour hot desk facility complete with host and support programme.

The Media Centre is set to bring many more businesses and jobs to the area. More than 100 creative firms, in areas such as web design, games development, music and film production, are based in the complex across four buildings on Northumberland Street.

Your business success is out there. Is your bank?

Call Jill Hague on 08455 848702 Email jillhague@hsbc.com Come in to Huddersfield and Halifax Commercial Centre

Commercial Banking hsbc.com/commercial

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

COMMENT

by

Henryk Zientek S there light at the end of the tunnel?

Iglimmer A series of surveys suggest there may be a of hope amid the gloom for Bri-

tain’s hard-pressed businesses.

But we shouldn’t get too carried away – as they also stress that the UK economy has a long way to go before we can talk about recession turning into recovery.

A survey among chief financial officers and group finance directors by business advisory firm Deloitte discovered that credit conditions remained tough – with an overwhelming majority still rating credit as expensive and hard to obtain. but it also reported an improvement in sentiment from the extreme lows registered in the second half of 2008.

Deloitte concluded: “This quarter’s survey is certainly downbeat, but it does point to a marginally improved situation compared to the second half of 2008.”

The CBI’s Access to Finance Survey said firms were less negative in March than they were in February about the availability of new and existing credit.

It found: “Fewer firms said in March that the availability of credit had got worse for them in the past three months than did so in February or January. The view that the pace of deterioration is easing correlates with what businesses are starting to tell us on the ground.”

And the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce detected grounds for “very cautious” optimism in its latest survey of member firms.

Read Henryk Zientek's Business reports Monday to Friday in ...

l l l l l l l l l

Inside Issues

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS IS MAILED FREE OF CHARGE TO NAMED INDIVIDUALS IN ALMOST EVERY BUSINESS IN KIRKLEES Editorial

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henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk

Distribution & Advertising

ANNE BARRETT (01484) 437745

Recycled paper made up 75.5% of the raw material for UK newspapers in 2004

anne.barrett@examiner.co.uk

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FINANCIAL REPORT

Start-up figures soar despite the downturn

LOOMING recession has failed to deter people in Kirklees from starting their own business, a survey has revealed.

Figures from Barclays Bank show that 3,200 people took the plunge to set up in business across the district last year – up from 2,800 in 2007.

T h at c o m p a re s w i t h 2 , 5 0 0 start-ups logged in Kirklees during 2003 – when the economic climate was far more benign.

The bank said the increase was partly due to more women becoming entrepreneurs and people using redundancy pay to set up.

Barclays said the number of

start-ups across Yorkshire totalled 34,600 in 2008 compared with 32,200 the previous year.

Amanda Shepherd, Yorkshire regional drector for Barclays Local Business, said: “These figures may seem surprising given the current economic climate.

“There could be a number of reasons for the robust start-up market, including individuals being made redundant having opted for self-employment.

“We should also remember that there are always opportunities, even in more challenging times."

The figures showed the number of

women-only start-ups in Yorkshire rose by almost 17% to exceed 6,900 in 2008 compared to 5,900 in 2007.

Male-only start-ups rose by 7% year-on-year.

Said Ms Shepherd: “It appears women more than men are bucking the downturn by starting a business.

“We know from our Let’s Talk Starting in Business seminars that almost half of people attending are women – which is a notably high percentage considering men still make up the majority of all start-ups.”

n FIGURES: Amanda Shepherd, of Barclays

Prompt payment

n COMFORT ZONE: Michael Woodhead (right), chairman of Robertson Baxter Financial Services, qwith (from left) Stephen Baxter, Liz Townend, Lucy Woodhead and Greg Robertson

A FINANCIAL services company has expanded its premises – despite the tough trading climate.

Shelley-based Robertson Baxter Services has created a specialised client suite and boardroom at its Penistone Road offices.

Director Greg Robertson said the move had been essential, adding: “We work very closely with the professional community in the local area and needed the additional space to conduct large meetings and host business lunches in our own premises.

“The client suite works superbly well for more informal sessions and meetings with fewer people.”

Fellow director Stephen Baxter said: “The current economic and investment climate has resulted in an awful lot of people questioning their existing arrangements and advisers.

“We focus on the individual, tailoring an approach and developing a long-term relationship with each and every one of our clients.

“Now we have a dedicated client suite, we are able to welcome both new and existing clients into a home-from-home environment, ensuring they feel comfortable discussing their financial circumstances, which allows us to develop a keen understanding of their needs.”

Firms forecast falling prices MORE than half of small firms in Yorkshire think that the costs of running a business will remain flat or reduce over the course of this year, said a survey.

Some 56% of firms took that view in the poll by Bank of Scotland. With operating costs staying relatively flat, 54% of small business bosses in Yorkshire expect to freeze prices for customers during 2009 – although 12% expect to impose a 5%-plus increase.

Pricing stability among most small firms

reflects a belief among nearly 70% of owners that inflation will either flatten out or decrease over the course of the year.

Some 29% of firms said such a period of deflation would provide a stimulus for their businesses.

Some62% expect commercial property prices to continue falling while 65% expect to hold salaries at the same level or decrease them over the year.

NORTHERN firms are among the best for getting paid on time, a survey has revealed.

Figures from Bacs Payment Scheme Ltd, the company behind Direct Debit and Bacs Direct Credit, show that 54% of firms in the region have experienced late payments at some time – compared with a national average of 57%.

Companies in the region are owed an average of £21,000 by tardy payers against a national average of £38,000 and an average of £69,000 for firms in the Midlands.

Small and medium-sized firms in the north said they had to wauiit an average of 26.9 days beyond agreed payment terms for invoices to be settled. The national average is 41.6 days.

The survey showed that 21% of firms in the north asked for payment on receipt of invoice while 9% speficied payment within seven days and 15% within 14 days.

Some 46% requested payment no later than 30 days or the end of the month after receipt of invoice. Some 7% stated 60 days.

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n COUNTY CATCH: Yorkshire batsman Joe Sayers (right) with (from left) Neil Wilson, Michael Crook and Jeremy Garside, of Chadwick Lawrence

LAW firm Chadwick Lawrence is supporting Yorkshire cricketer Joe Sayers by sponsoring his bat for the pre-season UAE tour and the forthcoming 2009 domestic season.

Chadwick Lawrence, which has offices in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, has had a relationship with the Leeds-based player for some time – having worked with him on setting up www.twentytwogroup.com, a network to channel opportunities for professional cricketers.

Joe, a left-handed batsman playing in the top order, recorded several priceless innings in tricky conditions last season.

His string of impressive scores including a career-best 187 against Kent.

Said Joe: “I’m delighted to be associated with Chadwick Lawrence. Not only does it promote Yorkshire as a region, which is passionate about cricket, but also spreads the word about the pride that Yorkshire people have in the area.

“I’ve found that Chadwick Lawrence’s comprehensive service offering is perfect for someone with a busy life. It's a firm I trust to offer sound advice and meet any legal requirements I may have now or in the future.”

Senior partner Jeremy Garside said: “Yorkshire County Cricket is an excellent example of sport and business working together to benefit the area.

“Chadwick Lawrence is pleased to be playing a part and we’re rooting for Joe in the forthcoming season!”

Office interiors firm celebrates A COMPANY supplying office interiors is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary by staging an exhibition in Huddersfield.

Transform Office Interiors, based at Four Horseshoes Yard, Market Street, Milnsbridge, will hold the event on Thursday, May 14, at the Laund Hill Conference Centre, Salendine Nook.

Bob Lynch, managing director, said: “We are taking this opportunity to thank our loyal customers for their continued support over the past 10 years.

“We are also showing how the company has grown and expanded into the refurbishment side as well as furniture.

“The exhibition will give businesses across Yorkshire the opportunity to come

along – under no obligation – to see examples and speak to the experts from some of the country’s leading interior manufacturers.”

Products covered will include office furniture, seating, partitioning, electrical, flooring, design, finance, wall coverings, fabrics and blinds.”

Mr Lynch said: “All the staff at Transform Office Interiors look forward to meeting existing customers – and having an opportunity to form new business relationships to continue to take the company from strength to strength.”

For more information on the exhibition, email info@transformoffice.com

OFFICE INTERIORS EXHIBITION

• Full refurbishment/ Plans and Design • Floor Coverings • Wall Coverings • Blinds

• Furniture • Seating • Demountable Partitioning • Suspended Ceilings • Electrical

LAUND HILL CONFERENCE CENTRE, SALENDINE NOOK, HUDDERSFIELD, HD3 3XF

on Thursday 14th May, 2009 between 9am and 4pm

Free admission and on-site parking - everyone welcome Host: Transform Office Interiors. Tel: 01484 652000

Financial MOT

On the board with

We all understand the benefits of an MOT for our cars – a quick check of the major operating parts to ensure drivers, passengers and other road users are all kept safe.

What about your business, though?

When a business crashes, the casualties include employees and suppliers, as well as the business owners.

Better to be safe than sorry. Get in touch with your accountants and ask for a Financial MOT.

Jennifer Davies Partner 01484 538 351

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www.revellward.co.uk

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

TECH TALK

Roger Pearson

OR legal, professional and other F firms seeking new business in a turbulent economy – and also facing

increased competition – ensuring your entire team is pulling in the same direction could be the key to fighting your way out of the recession.

But are your staff really working together?

According to a recent BT Business / YouGov survey of more than 3,700 employees, only 19% prefer to work with colleagues and more than 10% admitting becoming more insular.

This is, BT say, the consequence of a natural instinct for workers to protect their own positions when times are tough.

But, perversely for those individuals, this could have the opposite effect as in many organisations their efficiency and productivity rely on teamwork to lubricate and drive the business process forwards.

Sounds like a human resources problem, but the personnel condition can be a symptom of a business process issue.

Solving that process issue may not only be an essential part of surviving the downturn, but will also put you in pole position for growth as the green shoots of recovery break ground.

Technology is a key enabler of team collaboration and of efficient, scalable business processes (perhaps “doing more with less”) particularly under the present economic pressure.

The need to share data and resources is at the heart of every computer network.

We know from many development projects that bringing employees closer to the flow of business and eliminating “islands” of information from the process can have a massive impact on efficiency and performance.

Extracting the key data items that employees need and employing workflow techniques to automate important and repetitive processes makes it easier and more intuitive for staff to work as part of a team.

At the same time, it becomes almost impossible for the protectionism reported in the survey to occur as all resources become part of a tightly focused organisation.

Another pressure facing professional services, particularly legal firms in the not too distant future (if it is not already) is the “commoditisation” of services.

If this is on your doorstep, then looking at a new delivery model such as eCommerce enabled by an an efficient, automated business process such as above may not be a choice but a necessity.

This close coupling of business process, management reporting and staff productivity improves agility and enables swift, informed business decision for all but particularly in fast moving volume work types.

Roger Pearson is a project manager at P2 Technologies Ltd, Lockwood

n RECRUITS: Working Media Print managing director Ian Bryan (centre) is joined with new recruits Kate Chapman and Lee Evans

Liversedge firm lands AXA deal A LIVERSEDGE company is celebrating a double success after winning a national contract and appointing more staff.

Working Media Print, formed in December, 2007, has won a contract with AXA as well as appointing a new director and a client services manager.

Lee Evans joins the business as director having previously worked on print accounts, including William Hill, BUPA, HM Revenue & Customs and Tesco.

Kate Chapman is WMP’s new client services manager, having worked on brands such as Vera Wang and Amanda Wakeley.

HUDDERSFIELD M P Barry Sheerman has called for a “marked improvement” in the quality of careers advice about apprenticeships.

The Labour MP was speaking as co-chairman of the Skills Commission, which has concluded a six-month inquiry into how the Government’s apprenticeship is working.

I t s re p o r t , P rog re s s i o n Through Apprentceships, found that too few people of all academic abilities were taking up apprenticeships due to “inadequate” careers advice.

It said a major issue uncovered by the inquiry was

The appointments signal WMP’s intention to capture more national contracts in the forthcoming months.

Managing director Ian Bryan said: “Despite the current economic climate, we are continuing to grow due to us having an experienced team in place that can meet client demands and deliver our customers a level of unrivalled quality and service.

“We have improved our team further with the appointment of Lee and Kate as we look to move the business forward even further in 2009.”

Said Mr Bryan: “It’s the for-

that careers guidance professionals did not understand local skills shortages or employer demand for apprentices.

It recommended that careers a dv i s e r s re g u l a rly v i s i t employers to improve their knowledge about local labour markets.

The inquiry also reported a lack of knowledge about ap p r e n t i c e s h i p s a m o n g teachers.

It is now calling for the National Apprenticeship Service and the Training and Development Agency to Schools to work together to improve teachers’ understanding of the opportunities offered by apprenticeships.

mula for success to work alongside like-minded individuals that are passionate about what we are trying to achieve and are committed to the company.

“Printing represents one of business’ top 10 expenses and we help our clients to manage this by providing results above their expectations while remaining within their budgets.”

Among its other successes, WMP won the contract to print the region’s fastest-growing magazine On: Lifestyle last year, which is also based in Liversedge.

Mr Sheerman said: “There n e e d s t o b e a m a r ke d improvement in the quality of careers advice and guidance about apprenticeships.

“This would encourage more young people of all academic abilities to consider an apprenticeship and help to achieve the Government’s goal of one in five young people enrolled on an apprenticeship in the next decade.

“We want to ensure the long-term prosperity and continued success of apprenticeships.

“And during this time of economic downturn, securing vocational reoutes for young pople in ever more important.”

NORTHERN Foods has strengthened its balance sheet by completing a £250m debt refinancing deal.

The Leeds-based group, which has deferred a decision on the future of its Fox’s Biscuits factory at Batley, has negotiated the finance facility from a banking syndicate led by Royal Bank of Scotland.

The package refinances Northern’s existing debt and provides the group with continued support until 2012.

Northern Foods employs more than 10,000 staff and operates at 21 sites around the UK. It supplies biscuits, frozen pizzas, soups, puddings, salads and sandwiches to customers including Marks & Spencer, Morrisons and Asda.

Northern Foods said it was undertaking a “rigorous” evaluation of previously announced plans to merge its Fox’s Biscuits factories at Batley and Uttoxeter, Staffordshire – and build a new £40m factory at one or other of the sites.

The 1,200 employees at Batley site will now have to wait another year before finding out whether or not their plant is to close.

n CONCERN: Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, who is also co-chairman of the Skills Commission

KIRKLEES

RISKY BUSINESS Mark Dalton

Y company has taken a courM ageous business decision to ban the use of mobile phones when driv-

ing.

This ban goes beyond the legal requirements prohibiting the use of hand held mobile phones. My company rule is that employees must not make or receive calls when driving, even when hands free equipment is available. The instruction is to divert calls and then to collect message and make calls when the driver is parked in a safe place.

The decision was made after taking into account the balance between the adverse affects on business resulting from drivers not being in touch at all times against the risks associated with distraction caused by making and receiving calls whilst driving.

This decision was given more justification following the recent prosecution of a company director for careless driving. She crashed into another vehicle causing a fatality while using a hands-free mobile phone. She was found not guilty of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving, but was fined £2,000 and given a 12-month driving ban for the lesser offence.

If your company feels unable to take a similar decision to mine, it is important that essential steps are taken to protect drivers: Remind drivers of the legal penalties (three penalty points and £60 fine) and the dangers associated with using handheld phones when driving Provide good quality hands free equipment to reduce the risk of employees using hand held equipment Give drivers training in the increased risks associated with the distraction caused by using the telephone when driving. Who hasn’t driven on “auto pilot” and can’t remember long stretches of a journey?

Implement ways of working that reduce the need to contact company drivers and instruct drivers to take regular breaks on long journeys when they can also make urgent calls.

Phone calls are not the only source of distraction to drivers. A survey from moneysupermarket.com found that changing stations on the radio, eating and drinking while driving and children, passengers and pets are all regular causes of driver distraction. The Highway Code also lists loud music, reading maps and smoking as sources of distraction.

It is predicted that fatalities involving at-work drivers will lead to corporate manslaughter prosecutions for companies and prosecutions of individual managers under other health and safety legislation.

Work-related road deaths account for about 1,000 deaths each year, making it the largest cause of occupational fatalities in the country.

Now may be the time for directors and senior managers with responsibility for company drivers, or health and safety in general, to review their company’s policies.

Mark Dalton is an associate director at Wilby Ltd, based in Halifax

n REGIONAL REPORT: Ian Beaumont (centre), managing partner at BDO Stoy Hayward, with chairman David Jackson (left) and finance director Richard Twigg

Prudent ways are paying off YORKSHIRE’S top firms are reaping the rewards for being careful with money, a survey has revealed.

A report by business advisers BDO Stoy Hayward showed that the region’s leading 150 companies had benefited during the downturn from typical Tyke prudence, low debt ratios – or gearing – and aversion to risky ventures.

The report said the companies – including 10 based in Kirklees and Calderdale – lifted profits after tax by 20% and revenues by 3% in 2008.

And it added: “While Yorkshire is far from immune to the effects of recession, companies will be relatively well placed for the current troubles and the turmoil ahead.”

Ian Beaumont, Huddersfield-born managing partner at BDO in Leeds, said: “Yorkshire is a region renowned for it’s financial prudence and last year we revealed that a tight focus on operating efficiency had put the top 150 in a leaner and meaner position to face the rigours ahead.

“The latest Yorkshire Report reinforces this as strict cost control and relatively low gearing has blunted the recession’s early impact on the Group’s latest results.”

He added: “The conditions we are currently experiencing are proving to be far more challenging than we could have imagined, particularly for the region’s financial sector.

“But Yorkshire’s businesses are still in relatively good shape as a result of their proven discipline, shown in tight cost control, prudent gearing and focus on cash generation – all of which have never

BRANDING and design agency 10 Associates has appointed another Yorkshire firm to raise its profile across the region’s business community.

Ilkley-based Jeni Cropper & Associates has been appointed by Bradley-based 10 Associates to the agency’s dedication to its own clients’ brands and its focus on quality.

Said Jeni: “There are not many design companies that will go to such lengths

been more important for business survival.”

The report said Yorkshire firms had taken a “distinctly conservative stance” on debt – allowing the top 150 to enter a period of deep uncertainty with a much stronger capital base.

The companies had also maximised csh reserves by cutting costs and increasing operational efficiency.

Said Mr Beaumont: “Access to cash and low gearing put a number of the region’s companies in a strong position to make selective acquisitions and investments that could provide a competitive advantage.”

The report said it was difficult to predict when the “first global recession of the information age” would end.

It said current estimates suggested that more than 32,000 UK firms could go to the wall this year – with the failure rate not peaking until 2010.

Said Mr Beaumont said: “Our forecasts confirm that it will be a long haul and Yorkshire will not be immune from the effects.

“Identifying key products, customers and channels – and focusing on them – should be part of any survival strategy for a business, regardless of size.

“Being clear about what areas still need investment and which can be deferred is important, as is developing a range of scenarios that reflect the impact of the downturn on your business and alternative strategies.

“Above all, the winners will be flexible and able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.”

to ensure they turn out such spectacular work for clients – or that actually employ a public relations consultant to tell the world. It will be a real pleasure to work with the brand specialists.”

JCA, now in its seventh year, is working to ensure its clients achieve a high profile and more importantly a positive impact on their business.

A COMPANY helping to keep track of people and goods is expanding operations following a six-figure funding deal.

Active Tagging Ltd, based at Elland, has secured £150,000 from the Royal Bank of Scotland under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.

The company, formed in 2007, produces electronic tagging equipment under the XTAG name and the associated software to use it.

XTAG combines electronic radio-emitting tags and a series of digital radio receivers to keep track of personnel, assets and stock. It also allows for control of electronically-locked doors and barriers.

Active Tagging employs 10 people and has annual turnover of £500,000. Over the next three years, it has plans to increase sales further and create another 10 jobs.

The £150,000 funding package was provided as part of the Government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.

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A COMMERCIAL law firm has launched a specialist property litigation team to help landlords and developers as the recession bites.

The team at Leeds-based Lupton Fawcett is headed by director Ian Coupland and includes senior associate James Naylor and senior solicitor Hayden Glynn.

Said Mr Coupland: “There is no doubt that in the current economic climate many landlords face going to court more often to protect their interests.

For example, more tenants are defaulting and there are more disputes over issues such as dilapidations.”

Mr Coupland has worked with many prominent property clients. He previously worked in the City of London and for major Leeds city centre firms.

n ACQUISITIVE: Colin Meakin (right) and Barry Roberts (second left), of Concorde Informatics, with Marcus Armstrong (left), of commercial law firm Lupton Fawcett, and Barry Roberts, of accountancy firm Brown Butler

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A CONSORTIUM of businessmen have followed up their takeover of a Brighouse firm with another acquisition.

Bosses at software systems supplier Concorde Informatics Ltd have bought Morley-based IT business Phase CRS Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

Phase CRS, which was formed in 1985, is a well-established IT service and solutions company with more than 100 contract clients across the UK. It employs 24 people and has a turnover of almost £2m.

Both acquisitions have been made by Concorde Excel Holdings Ltd, a new company set up by the consortium.

As part of the latest deal Phase CRS owner and managing director Chris Walker becomes a shareholder in Concorde Excel Holdings and takes on the role of technical operations director at Concorde Informatics.

Colin Meakin, who set up the consortium and is now Concorde Informatics managing director, said the two businesses fitted together well.

He said: “Phase has an excellent client base and different geographic strengths from Concorde Informatics, which will stretch our service coverage to all corners of the UK. Also, it will give us better buying power and better prices for our clients.”

Said Mr Meakin: “I’ve known Chris for more than 30 years, since we worked together at Systime, and I’m delighted we have been able to complete the deal.”

Said Mr Walker: “Having started Phase CRS nearly 25 years ago I’m proud of the company’s success and

now we can benefit from becoming part of a bigger entity. I’m very excited at the prospect of helping Colin to develop the Concorde Informatics business.”

Marcus Armstrong, of Leeds commercial law firm Lupton Fawcett, and James White, of accountants Brown Butler, were Concorde Excel Holdings’ advisers on the acquisition.

The deal comes less than a month after Mr Meakin and a group of local businessmen including Barry Roberts, the founder and former chief executive of ICM Computer Group plc, acquired Concorde Informatics in a buy in management buy-out deal.

Said Mr Meakin: “Discussions between Concorde Informatics and Phase began several months ago, but the new ownership consortium was the key to completing the deal.

“We are committed to growing the business and will be looking for more acquisition opportunities in the future.”

Concorde Informatics Ltd was established in 1985.

Long-term clients include Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Jewsons Ltd, Birkby-based Marshalls plc, Rugby league club Bradford Bulls and several police authorities around the UK. The company also has two specialist divisions offering software systems specifically for the moor vehicle and public safety sectors.

Concorde Excel Holdings now employs more than 70 people and expects turnover to grow to £9m over the course of this year.

A NEW initiative to help more than 80,000 business clients battle recession has been launched by Barclays Commercial Bank.

The bank’s Turning the Corner programme combines practical guidance, workshops, industry discussions and networking events to offer business owners and managers the skills needed to meet challenges and identify potential opportunities.

David Marks, Barclays Commercial Bank managing director, said: “Turning the Corner is a natural step towards improving the way the bank supports businesses, particularly when combined with increased business lending and support of Government initiatives such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee. “ We a r e a c u t e l y aware of our responsibilities in the current environment and we remain committed to creating and maintaining a platform for our clients to succeed. “ O f c o u rs e, t h i s means continuing to lend, which we are well placed to do as we remain well capitalised with a strong balance sheet. We are also working closely with the Gover nment to suppor t initia tives such as the EFG. “But it also means adding value by providing practical guidance and information – and connecting businesses with like-minded peers so they can share learning on how to adapt their businesses to the specific challenges of operating in a recession.”

Go to www.barclays commercial.com

Water firm hails for innovation Simplify your life Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management Quayside House, Canal Wharf, Leeds, LS11 5PU Tel: +44 (0)113 245 4488 Email: info.leeds@rensburgsheppards.co.uk Member firm of the London Stock Exchange. Member of LIFFE. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management Limited is registered in England. Registered No. 2122340. Registered Office: Quayside House Canal Wharf Leeds LS11 5PU. Offices at: Belfast Cheltenham Edinburgh Farnham Glasgow Leeds Liverpool London Manchester Reigate Sheffield.

YORKSHIRE Water has been hailed as one of the region’s most innovative firms.

The Bradford-based company and its partner, Brinker Water, were among the winners of Yorkshire Forward’s Innovator 09 Awards.

They were presented with the product, process and service innovation award for the development of pioneering technology technique which ienables burst pipes to be repaired from the inside without the need to dig up the road.

The category, sponsored by the CBI, attracted 250 entries.

The Innovator 09 Awards recognise companies and individuals in Yorkshire emracing new technology to help develop new products, serfvices and ways of working.

Mark Penny, acting director of the water business unit at Yorkshire Water’, said: “This is a fantastic accolade for the team and for Yorkshire Water and Brinker in the development of industry leading innovation.”

Dr Alan Lowdon, managing director of

Brinker Water, said: “The award is a superb endorsement of the joint efforts of Brinker and Yorkshire Water in bringing innovative technology to the UK water industry.

“It also highlights the vision that Yorkshire Water has shown in seeking to improve operational performance and customer service through the transfer of technology from other sectors. Our partnership is moving ahead very positively. We look forward to continued success.”

KIRKLEES

MARKETING agency Nourish has landed three new clients in the space of just weeks.

Nourish, created in partnership with Elland-based direct mail business The Lick Group, has secured deals with RAM Tracking, Tom Chambers and Cheque & Prawn.

RAM Tracking is one of the leading vehicle tracking solution providers in the UK – employing 34 people at its headquarters in Leeds and servicing a client base of 2000.

Nourish has been retained to undertake PR activity for them to generate exposure and promote RAM’s products.

Tom Chambers – a leading manufacturers and suppliers of bird feed, bird care and garden products in the UK – has come on board as a full service client. Nourish managing director Paul Harker said services would include design, e-commerce, PR and advertising, brand identity and business-to-business publications.

Making up the trio is the UK’s largest pawnbroker Cheque & Pawn, a brand of Albemarle & Bond.

Nourish created a mailer giving customers the chance to win £1,000 in a free prize draw or receive up to 50% discount on their next cheque cashing transaction.

A BUILDING group with operations in Elland has landed a £20m contract – its biggest ever deal.

Southdale Group, which comprises Halifax-based social housing business Southdale Homes and Elland-based private developer Circa, has won the contract to provide 196 houses for Tees Valley Housing Association at three sites in York.

The work will involve demolishing 100 council-owned “prefab” bungalows and replacing them with new bungalows, flats and mews houses as well as a range of communal facilities.

Money saving ways to protect the UK climate n BRANDED: Darren Evans (left), creative director of The Engine Room, with (from left) Zoe Dickinson and Jim Mackenzie, of Interior Surfaces, and Mark Edwards, of The Engine Room

Sales take off after branding A DESIGN and branding agency in Huddersfield is celebrating – after helping one of its clients double their turnover.

The Engine Room, based at the Media Centre, Northumberland Street, was handed a brief to help Interior Surfaces broaden its potential market by appealing to larger commercial customers.

Interior Surfaces designs, manufactures and install work surfaces and specialist surfaces for clients including Pizza Hut, Center Parcs, York University and Sheffield Children's Hospital, as well as a number of smaller clients.

Following a re-brand by The Engine Room, Sheffield-based Interior Surfaces doubled its turnover from £1.2m to £2.4m in just two years – three years ahead of target judged by the company’s own five-year plan.

Interior Surfaces, formed more than 20 years ago, was finding it difficult to win key contracts with the larger building firms – despite being highly skilled within its sector.

The firm took part in a Design Works event run by the Design Council, which highlighted the need for them to chane their image – and reposition themselves in the

A TRAINEE at a Mirfield firm has been recognised for his achievements.

Jack Bottomley, who works for GB Air Control Ltd, was winner of the refrigeration and air conditioning engineer award level 2 at the Yorkshire regional heats of the

market.

The Engine Room were one of the three design agencies invited to pitch for the work and went on to win the contract.

The agency based branding around Interior Surfaces’ core vales – experience, knowledge, reliability and ability to take on large-scale jobs. The message was rolled out across the firm’s website, stationery and literature.

The Engine Room also designed tactical marketing campaigns aimed at raising awareness in the industry.

Since the re-brand, Interior Surfaces’ turnover doubled within two years to £2.4m – with the company winning new contracts with larger clients, entering new amrkets and broadening its customer base to achieve several high profile jobs.

Interior Surfaces are now working directly with designers, architects and interior specialists. Before the re-brand, the company never had chance to work this close with end-users.

Zoe Dickinson, Interior Surfaces sales manager, said: “The Engine Room have exceeded our expectation of working with a design agency. They have managed this by taking an interest in our

annual competition run by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association.

He was among 12 trainees to received trophies at an award ceremony staged at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford.

The awards were presented by

business and always listening to our concerns.

“They have a genuinely bespoke approach and have come up with solutions to fit our needs precisely.

The figures speak for themselves.

The Engine Room have brought a sense of what we are able to achieve to Interior Surfaces, backed up by solid design ideas which have transformed our image, not just externally, but within the business too.”

The Engine Room is continuing to work with Interior Surfaces on further raising brand awareness in the interior design market, including the possibility of launching Interior Surfaces’ first product. A new website aimed at domestic customers is planned.

Darren Evans, creative director of The Engine Room, said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the guys at Interior Surfaces over the last couple of years.

“They have embraced the design process so much that they have spotted other opportunities, resulting in an almost complete change of market direction. We are delighted with the results that have been achieved and are looking forward to working together in future.”

HVCA president Gareth Vaughan and David Brown, commercial director of Pegler Yorkshire, which sponsored the prizes.

Other trainees receiving awards come from firms in Bradford, Leeds, Keighley and York.

FREE advice is being made available to help Kirklees firms improve their environmental performance – and save money.

An environmental business adviser has been drafted in to help companies cut pollution, meet environmental legislation and reduce their costs.

The new post has been created by the Green Business Network with funding from Kirklees Council.

In addition, the GBN can provide a free environmental audit that gives firms suggestions for saving money by reducing energy, transport and water use.

It has also developed a series of environmental “toolkits” for firms in manufacturing, retailing, hospitality, offices and care homes.

The toolkits include ideas for pollution prevention, waste management, energy and water use, transport, “green” purchasing and training as well as details of the major environmental legislation facing business, where to get further help and funding and a list of local recyclers.

GBN also runs Pennine Pack, a packaging compliance scheme to help firms based along the M62 corridor find ways to reduce the amount of packaging.

Membership fees go towards establishing local recycling schemes in preference to exporting packaging waste to developing countries.

Jim Porter, environmental business adviser at the GBN, said: “We work with a range of businesses across Kirklees to support them to improve energy efficiency – which often also saves them money.

“We also offer businesses free help to calculate their carbon footprint and implement an Environmental Management System through a new business network.”

Contact jim.porter@kirklees.gov.uk or call 01422 316661.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS

LEGAL BRIEF Peter Matthews

TWO innovation experts from Silicon Valley will address delegates from 12 European cities at an event in Yorkshire.

Herman Gyr and Lazlo Gyorffy, two of the figures behind a host of developments such as the computer mouse, high definition TV and robotics for surgery, will be in Yorkshire to train a team of innovation coaches to work with businesses across the continent.

Their visit to Doncaster will take place on June 15 to 19.

The European Union-funded project brings together delegates from Huddersfield and Doncaster with Nantes, Aachen, Stuttgart, Eindhoven, Dublin, Cardiff and Birmingham.

Huddersfield and Doncaster will be represented by the Creative Industries Development Agency, based at the Media Centre, Northumberland Street.

Their training will complement the work of Business Link and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward in promoting innovative thinking among firms.

CIDA works with partners in public and private sectors to develop creative organisations. For details about the Doncaster event got to www.cida.org

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ITH the global credit crunch W taking a stranglehold on national trade, many purchasers

n TOWN TEAM: Footballer Andy Booth with daughter Hermoine and staff and customers of Batleys

TOWN striker Andy Booth helped boost business for Batleys cash-and-carry.

The popular player joined guests a t t e n d i n g a m a j o r eve n t fo r t h e Deighton-based company’s customers and suppliers.

All 19 Batleys cash-and-carry depots are staging the event, called Make a Difference, over the next few weeks to highlight its range of products and spe-

cial offers.

The event at the Leeds Road depot included tastings, free samples and raffles for prizes including a signed Town shirt.

Members of the 60-strong staff also wore Town shirts to highlight the company’s commercial links to the club.

Town mascot Terry the Terrier was also in attendance.

Confidence booster for IT company

THE boss of an IT company hopes its recent success will bring hope to other firms struggling in the economic downturn.

Dean Spencer, managing director of Eitex, which is based at Bradford Road, Batley, said the firm has just won a substantial new contract – to upgrade the systems of Leeds solicitors Howard Cohen and Co and Cramer Richards Solicitors following their recent merger.

Mr Spencer said: “For such a big firm to choose us is very reassuring and it forms a good foundation for our business which helps us to move forward.

“We are constantly reminded of the recession and for us to get a contract like this at this time puts our minds at rest and shows us that people are still trading and carrying on as normal. n POSITIVE: Dean Spencer, managing “I think it also offers some encouragement director of Batley-based IT firm Eitex to other businesses who may be struggling.”

The firm has also won contracts with He started by helping people with computer Winteringham Haulage and kitchen manufacproblems, but when the workload piled up he turer Martin Moore.

Eitex, formerly Expert Systems, has come a decided to focus on IT support. Eitex is now a long way since Mr Spencer built it from a thriving company, providing support and maintaining systems for firms UK-wide. small back bedroom 11 years ago.

and suppliers of goods will be eager to incorporate protective clauses in the contracts they enter into.

Suppliers in particular should ensure that they have a valid Retention of Title (RoT) clause. If not, suppliers will be unable to recover the goods they have delivered if payment is not made.

What does it do? Usually ownership to goods passes on delivery. With an RoT clause, however, the supplier retains ownership to goods until certain obligations, such as payment, are fulfilled.

In practical application, the supplier has the benefit of protection against insolvency: if the purchaser goes into liquidation or administration before the goods are paid for, then the supplier can claim the goods back.

Following the judgment in the recent case of P4 Litd v Unite Integrated Solutions plc, an effective RoT clause should: be incorporated into the contract; provide that title to the goods is retained by the seller until it has received full payment for the goods; specify which events will trigger the seller’s right to demand immediate payment for the goods and repossess them; give the seller the right to enter the buyer's premises in order to repossess the goods. The seller could commit a trespass if no such provision is included.

Even if a supplier is able to establish that their terms and conditions contained an RoT clause, there still might be circumstances where it might not be effective. For example: Unidentifiable goods – it is good practice to ensure supplied goods are identifiable through the use of bar codes and serial numbers, so removal proceeds without undue disruption and therefore likely that a supplier’s RoT claim will succeed Timing – where heavy goods ie plant and machinery are to become annexed to the premises; despite repossession rights, timing will be crucial to whether or not this is successful Ongoing supply - creates difficulty in allocating goods to a specific invoice. The contract should contain an “all monies” clause (which provides that title passes only when the account between the parties is paid off), the RoT clause might still be effective.

In the current climate there will be scenarios where a purchaser becomes insolvent and unless the requisite legal and practical elements outlined above are present, it will prove difficult for the supplier to successfully establish that he owns the goods and therefore be above to recover them instead of payment.

Peter Matthews is a member of the commercial law team at Austin Kemp Solicitors

KIRKLEES

MARKETING MATTERS Clare Quartermaine

CAN’T believe Easter has come and Iandgone already. The year is speeding by have I suddenly realised that my

quarterly marketing review is upon me.

I make sure our reviews are timed to coincide with the “marketing” calendar. It was an editor of a well-known national newspaper who reminded me of the definite dips in readership during the year.

It is to this that marketing activities should be planned around – although this couldn’t apply to all business models of course. The dips being the best time to consolidate, rest and review. I’m always lecturing my clients about this and we look at altering our activities dependant on what’s going on around us. Is it time for a product promotion, a bit of regional advertising, or shall we invest in some networking activities and e-flyers for the time being?

There is always a dip in decision-making around this time. It’s not just because of holidays, its also due, of course, to financial year endings. March is a busy month for spending what remains of the budget, so some experience a boost in sales then. But many businesses are waiting with great hope and anticipation for what will happen around now when budgets are reviewed and set for the coming year. This of course affects consumers as well. Will we start to see some recovery and renewed confidence in the market place?

One thing’s for sure, it will be no detriment for you to get to the front of that bread queue anyway! Adjusting your marketing activities throughout the year is the best way to get the most from the calendar and, of course, we all need to keep our eye on what’s happening in the economy.

Summer – from the end of June to August is when most people are thinking of holidays.They tend to prefer to start new plans, any buying and new projects in September and October. It’s a state of mind that few manage to escape, so September is a key month to aim for from a marketing perspective because people are starting to get enthusiastic again.

With budget and bad news being the conversation points of the moment, the small business can really hold its own in these times and setting up marketing actions around the dips is essential. Small to medium-sized business are flexible enough to change marketing strategy quickly and implement changes and any new activities more easily. You really don’t have to spend a lot to market effectively.

It’s all about looking at what is happening in general and reflecting the mood of the moment.

Right now, people are pulling together in ways we haven’t seen recently. This is the perfect time to forge new business relationships, collaborations and networks. Turn your customers into your advocates! It’s also a great time for PR – people want good news and promotion through the story is a fantastic way to raise profile.

So get your pen (or your keyboard) out and start shouting about your business! (Think Wellworths…it’s working for them..).

Clare Quartermaine is founder and managing director of QT Creative

BUSINESS bosses don’t like being preached to – but that hasn’t stopped Brighouse entrepreneur Carl Hopkins from delivering a sermon or two!

Now the award-winning marketing specialist has produced a book, The Gospel According to Uncle Carl – a collection of hard-hitting question-and-answer pieces, which he first penned for marketing industry magazine The Drum.

The articles provide straight-talking practical advice for businesses – combining real-life anecdotes, commonsense suggestions and humorous observations to get the message across. The answers are delivered with tongue firmly in cheek.

In his introduction, Carl comments: “The letters are from agency owners and agency staff. Therefore, this collection has been put together to adorn every agency toilet in the land – so that in those dark quiet cubicles and moments of contemplation, you may realise that we are not alone. There are others who are as confused, bemused and ****** up as you are.”

The questions posed to “Uncle Carl” cover such wide-ranging topics as office romances, office politics, unpopular bosses, mis-use of the internet during office hours, dealing with difficult clients and the advantages of opening “satellite” offices “down south”.

n READING MATTER: Carl Hopkins pictured with his new book 'The Gospel According to Uncle Carl'

Carl’s marketing and business experience spans 25 years and includes a starring role in Channel 4’s Secret Millionairem where he spent 10 days in the north-east colliery town of Easington – and ended up giving £42,000 of his own money to worthwhile causes.

He began his career in 1984 when he joined Judith Donovan Associates. He rose through the ranks and took over the business in 2000 as managing director following a successful management buy-out.

From 2000 to 2005, Carl expanded the agency from 48 to 75 staff, taking turnover from £9.6m to £19.4m and tripling its profits.

In 2003, he co-ordinated the takeover of Warrington-based advertising and PR agency Blueprint and became chairman in 2005 until the sale of the busniness two years

Chemicals group adds to its remit A GROUP promoting the interests of Yorkshire’s chemical companies has tapped into a new contract – to provide support for the region’s water industry.

Yo r k s h i r e C h e m i c a l Focus, based in Huddersfield, will also be responsible for the Water Industry Forum until March, 2011, under the terms of the contract agreed with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

The water forum, which has been running for nearly two years, will continue to support the water and waste water treatment sector in Yorkshire with information and advice as well as helping members to identify business opportunities.

The form, which is led by a representative body of suppliers, manufacturers, technical experts and regional universities, has more than 115 member organisations.

Jim Farmery, assistant

director of innovation at Yorkshire Forward, said: “We are certain that with YCF at the helm, the forum will continue to grow from strength to strength.

“It will help our region’s businesses expand by offering support and advice both for UK expansion and to exploit overseas opportunities.”

He said: “We encourage firms within the sector to join and benefit from the advice, support and networking opportunities it offers.

“In these times of economic difficulty, it is more important than ever that initiatives such as these are there to support and bring industries together, to weather the storm and come out stronger when the upturn comes.”

Yo r k s h i r e C h e m i c a l Focus is a not-for-profit membership organisation that supports Yorkshire’s £2.2bn chemical sector.

later.

He now runs kloog, a business “angel” service where he shares some of the experiences garnered during his career with other businesses and offers services including business audits, business investment, mentoring and workshops in areas such as sales, marketing and creativity.

Carl has also launched a number of w e b - b a s e d bu s i n e s s e s, i n c l u d i n g JumbleAid.com and agencybods.co.uk He is also the only male director of Forward Ladies, a not-for-profit networking organisation supporting more than 3,500 female entrepreneurs.

Carl is also an ambassador for Make Your Mark, a national campaign to foster enterprise among young people.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS

ON THE MOVE

National post for region chairman

n DESK WORK: Kevin Emsley (left) and Richard Marshall, of Lupton Fawcett

RICHARD Marshall has been appointed managing director of commercial law firm Lupton Fawcett.

Mr Marshall suceeds Kevin Emsley, who is stepping down after 16 years in the role. The two men have worked closely together over the last 17 years to help establish Leeds-based Lupton Fawcett in the top tier of commercial law firms in Yorkshire.

An insolvency lawyer and chartered marketer, Mr Marshall joined Lupton Fawcett in 1992 as a partner and head of insolvency and corporate recovery.

Within three months, he was appointed to the management board with responsibility for developing and implementing a marketing strategy for the firm.

Led by Mr Emsley, Lupton Fawcett became firmly established as one of the top 20 law firms in Yorkshire. It was one of the first law firms in the region to gain Investor in People status and the Lexcel Quality Mark.

Mr Emsley, will continue as chairman and financial director of Lupton Fawcett.

Landmark for legal practice

A WEST Yorkshire law firm has become one of the first in the UK to appoint a non-solicitor partner.

Switalskis Solicitors LLP, which has offices in Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Wakefield, Bradford and Leeds, took advantage of new legislation to appoint practice director John Durkan as managing partner.

M r D u rk a n’s appointment was approved by the Solic i t o r s Re g u l a t i o n Authority under the Legal Services Act. It also makes him eligible to become a member of Switalskis Solicitors

LLP – the equivalent in a limited liability partnership of a partner.

A qualified chartered accountant with years of experie n c e a dv i s i n g l aw fir ms, M r Durkan joined the specialist legal aid firm in 2001.

Since joining Switalskis, Mr Durkan has played a key role in d r iv i n g t h e f i r m ’s expansion. In 2001, the firm had just one office in Wakefield and about 20 staff. It now has more than 150 staff and has offices at New Street in Huddersfield, Bond Street in Dewsbury and at Bradford, Leeds and Halifax.

n PICKED: Tony Cherry, vice-chairman of the Federation ot Small Businesses

A YORKSHIRE small business leader has been voted into a top national role.

Tony Cherry, Yorkshire and Humber policy chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, has been appointed vice-chairman of the organisation which has 215,000 members and is Britain’s biggest business membership body.

Mr Cherry (right) remains chairman the FSB Yorkshire and Humber policy committee, which represents the interests of 16,000 member businesses throughout the region, including Kirklees.

He will also continue to lobby on local issues.

Sheffield businessman Tony Cherry, who has run bakery, graphic

design and retail ventures, also chairs the FSB South Yorkshire branch.

He helped to create five years ago after leading a merger the Sheffield branch, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster branches.

“Being national vice-chairman through the current recession will pose many challenges, but I have been astounded by the support FSB members have given our recent campaigns,” said Mr Cherry.

“Whatever difficulties the economic downturn might present, we shall continue banging the drum for small enterprises and providing effective and innovative ways to overcome the barriers facing small enterprises.”

CHARTERED accountancy firm Watson Buckle has appointed Mark Wilcock as a partner.

Mr Wilcock (pictured) began his accountancy career as a 17-year-old trainee with the Bradford-based firm, where he later qualified.

He gained further experience at another local independent accountancy practice, working his way up to manager and then at top 10 accountancy firm Grant Thornton, where he

YORKSHIRE Tourist Board has appointed Gary Verity as its permanent chief executive.

Mr Verity (right), 44, who has been working with the board on an interim basis since October, has a business background in marketing, customer service and the financial sector.

He was previously managing director of Johnsons Cleaners and group managing director of Prontaprint and Kall Kwik.

Mr Verity, who grew up in

was an audit manager in the Leeds office for four years.

His return to Watson Buckle in 2005 gave him increased opportunities to work with small and medium-sized enterprises. He was appointed an associate at the practice in 2007.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, he has experience in audit and advising owner-managers.

Leeds and now has a sheep farm in North Yorkshire, said: “I am delighted to accept the challenge of raising the region's profile to achieve our ambition of making Yorkshire a top must visit international destination.

“For a Yorkshire businessman passionate about the region, this is a dream job. What better than to be in charge of marketing the place you love, especially when that place has such a lot to offer?”

Marketing role for Sinéad LAW firm Ramsdens Solicitors has appointed Sinéad Sopala as marketing manager.

Ms Sopala (left), who has previously held similar posts at Leeds law firm Levi Solicitors and accountancy company KPMG. In her new role, she will be responsible for all aspects of Ramsdens’ marketing activity, including branding, internal and external communications, public relations and developing its marketing strategy.

She said: “Ramsdens has already achieved a lot in marketing terms.

However, it is keen to grow and I believe I can help to step up its marketing efforts and achieve its objectives.”

Managing partner Paul Joyce said: “We have been looking for some time for the right person to lead our marketing efforts and to help us to continue to raise awareness of the legal services we provide. I am delighted that we have appointed such an experienced and dedicated professional.”

Ramsdens has its principal office in Edgerton and five branch offices in Huddersfield, Halifax, Holmfirth, Slaithwaite and Elland.

Director for PwC ACCOUNTANCY firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has promoted Christopher Rooney to dire c t o r i n t h e f i r m ’s business recovery services team.

Mr Rooney (above) has been a key member of the firm's advisory practice since joining the firm almost three years ago and is a specialist in business recovery services.

He began his career with Andersen 11 years ago, since when he has worked with financially stressed and distressed businesses and their funders and shareholders across a wide range of sectors.

He has most recently been involved with the administration of The Officers Club which resulted in a significant proportion of the business and assets of the company being sold to TimeC 1215 Ltd, securing the continued employment of more than 1,000 members of staff across the UK.

WAXMAN Ceramics has appointed Joe Pape as deputy managing director.

Mr Pape, who was previously operations director, joined the Elland-based firm more than 25 years ago as its first full-time employee.

From its origins as a specialist distributor of mosaics, Waxman has grown to become a national distributor of tiles, operating in contract and retail markets.

The firm has 70 staff and distributes from a site in Bristol as well as its Elland head office.

Chairman and managing director Richard Waxman said: “Joe has been the bedrock of our tile operations and we have all come to rely on his skills and calm approach.”

KIRKLEES

TAX TALK Colin Barratt

YORKSHIRE Water has been appointed by Tesco to lead a water efficiency project as many of its stores.

The £388,000 project will see water conservation experts from Bradford-based Yorkshire Water carrying out deatiled water audits at hundreds of stores to identify areas where potential savings could be made.

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Water said: “With energy costs rising year on year, water conservation is becoming a key concern for many large businesses as they spot opportunities where they can make efficiencies.

“Yorkshire Water technicians have already visited 71 Tesco stores across the country and early estimates suggest the work has the potential to save the retailer 155m litres of water each year – the equivalent of more than 64 Olympic swimming pools.

The project involves the water conservation engineers carrying out a detailed inspection of the stores to identify any faulty fittings or items using water inefficiently such as toilets, passive infra-red urinals or storage tanks. Any inefficiencies are rectified by the engineer – resulting in immediate water savings for Tesco.

The engineer then carries out a basic leakage test at the site by shutting off the stop tap in store and monitoring the flow levels to identify any leakage in the system.

If a flow is detected at this stage, a leakage detection team will use state-of-the-art leakage detection equipment to pinpoint its location. If a leak is detected, a repair crew fix the affected section of pipe.

Yorkshire Water project manager Simon Redfern said: “Working with a multi-site customer like Tesco on a project of this scale allows us to use some of the leading-edge technology we have available to help our business customers become more water efficient.”

UCH has been written about the conM troversial expenses claims made by some MPs for the use of their homes on

n COLOUR CARD: Richard Allen (left), managing director of The Pink Link Ltd and Dean Hoyle, chairman of Card Factory and chairman-elect of Huddersfield Town, celebrate their three-year contract deal next to the brand new livery

Happy returns for haulage firm A HAULAGE company in Huddersfield has renewed a three-year contract with one of the UK’s leading greeting card retailers.

Netherton-based The Pink Link has sealed the deal with Wakefield-based company Card Factory, which is headed by Huddersfield Town chairman-elect Dean Hoyle.

The new deal will see four new trailers on the road in Card Factory’s navy blue and yellow livery together with The Pink Link Ltd’s trademark branding on the pink tractor units.

The move comes shortly after Card Factory expanded its business with the takeover of 76 Card Warehouse outlets. Card Factory has 480 stores nationwide, including a Card Factory shop at the Pack Horse Centre and a Card Warehouse site at the Piazza in Huddersfield..

Mr Hoyle said the takeover had safeguarded 500 jobs with the potential to create a further 400 posts – making Card Factory the fastest-growing card retailerhas 480 stores nationwide.

The Spen Valley-based businessman said: “When we first joined forces with The Pink Link

A BANK with a branch in Huddersfield has topped a popularity poll.

Swedish bank Handelsbanken, which has offices at Pennine Business Park, Bradley, was ranked first for customer satisfaction in the EPSI Rating. The survey is the first of its kind in the UK and is based on surveys already used to benchmark banks in 11 other Euroepan countries.

Survey co-ordinator Prof Jan Eklof said: “This survey shows that customer satisfaction with Handelsbanken is significantly higher than the industry average and that the bank’s customers are also very loyal.

“This separates Handelsbanken from other specially analysed banks in the study and depicts results which are consistent with surveys undertaken in other countries.”

Handelsbanken, which employs four staff at Bradley, was ranked top by both its business and

Ltd back in 2004, we had 80 stores. This figure has now risen to 480 nationwide.

“The Pink Link Ltd continues to manage the increase in demand from us in a very professional manner and provides exemplary customer service which far exceeds the norm. 2009 is going to be a very exciting year for us and we are delighted to be working with a local, like-minded business.”

Richard Allen, managing director of The Pink Link Ltd, said: “This move publicises our partnership with Card Factory on a national scale.”

He said renewal of the contract demonstrated the benefits of the The Pink Link’s membership of the Palletways (UK) Ltd national distribution network of hauliers.

The Pink Link Ltd, formed in 1981 and employing about 50 people, is widely recognised by its brightly coloured fleet of vehicles.

The company was among the winners of the Huddersfield Examiner Business Awards last November, when it was recognised for its commitment to fundraising for charity.

personal customers in terms of satisfaction and for customer loyalty.

The survey follows a strong set of results from the bank last month when it reported record profits on the back of strong demand for its services.

The Huddersfield branch was the 54th UK branch to open in November, 2008, and is now one of 62 across England, Wales and Scotland.

Tony Jones, branch manager at Huddersfield, said the survey demonstrates the success of Handelsbanken’s “old fashioned” approach to banking.

“We believe in growing our business in a safe and considered way with the emphasis on a very personal relationship with individuals and businesses,” he said. “The fact that we’re a large Swedish bank with stable finances and a good credit rating by international rating agencies also gives comfort to our customers.”

state affairs.

I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to look at what their self-employed constituents may be able to claim for tax purposes for using their home for business.

An expense will be allowable where it is incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the business and in the context of the home this will mean that when part of the home is being used for the business then that is the sole use for that part at that time.

It does not mean that part of the home must be permanently used for business purposes and not used for any other purpose at any other time nor must the business expenditure be separately billed.

Expenses that can be claimed fall into two categories, fixed costs and running costs.

Fixed costs include council tax, mortgage interest payments (not capital repayments), insurance, water rates, general repairs and rent.

Running costs include cleaning, heat, light and power, telephone (line rental & call charges) and broadband costs.

The amount of tax allowable expenses that can be claimed by both sole traders and partners will depend on the extent and nature of the business activities carried on at home and it will be necessary to apportion these costs on the basis of the area occupied for business, how long the area is used in the business and, in the case of running costs, the amounts used for business.

As an example, an individual works from home and uses their living room from 9am to 1pm for business and from 6pm until 10pm it is used by the family.

The house has four rooms, excluding hallways and bathrooms. Fixed costs total £8,000 and total running costs are £2,000 per year.

The allowable fixed cost will be £333 – £8,000 x 1/4 (number of rooms used) x 4/24 (business use of room).

The allowable running costs will be £250 – £2,000 x 1/4 x 4/8 (business use against private use of the room).

Where there is only minor use of the home, for example writing up the business records at home, the Revenue has confirmed that they will accept a reasonable estimate without detailed enquiry.

Otherwise, extensive records will need to be kept when making such a claim, particularly as the new penalty regime for inaccuracies in contained in tax returns is now in force.

It is also important not to overlook the capital gains tax implications of using the home for business.

If a room is set aside exclusively for business purposes, then the principal private residence exemption will not apply to the gain arising on this part of the house once the house is sold.

Where there is both business and private use of the room, the exemption will not be jeopardised.

Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth, chartered accountants, Huddersfield

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

Doug digs in with online business directory service A NEW online business directory has been launched – and users across Kirklees are already digging it!

LocalMole.co.uk allows businesses to market their services to thousands of Huddersfield Examiner users – and millions more people across parent company Trinity Mirror’s north-west region.

The new service enables businesses to benefit from the group’s online and in-print promotional power – via brands they know and trust.

The site is accessible under the LocalMole.co.uk brand – which features cartoon character Doug – and through Trinity Mirror’s regional network of 200 local and hyperlocal websites, enabling businesses listed to reach 5m regional users.

The new service, which was launched at the end

of March, offers additional benefits to current directories such as Yell and Thomson at a more competitive rate.

At launch, LocalMole.co.uk contains a database of more than 1.8m business listings featuring business names, addresses, contact information and maps.

Diane Briggs, ...., said: “Even prior to launch, we had one client who had cancelled their listing with a competitor because they preferred a brand they knew and trusted.”

Users of the directory can search for businesses based on a range of criteria – who, what and where – and can also rate and review their experiences.

Businesses can enhance their LocalMole.co.uk listing with a fully-featured microsite, offering customers more information including up to six photographs, two special offers and company

information. They can include a 1,250-word description and be listed in five different categories for no extra charge. Advertisers can also see their listings appear as text links across contextually relevant Trinity Mirror websites – offering added-value promotion to local audiences.

Chris Bunyan, digital director of Trinity Mirror Regionals said: “Increasingly, consumers turn to the internet as the place to find information on local businesses and services.

“By combining detailed business information with user ratings and reviews – supported by powerful online and in-paper promotion – we aim to develop LocalMole.co.uk into an indispensable service for local audiences and advertisers.”

The site was developed with business data n DIG THIS: Doug, the cartoon provider Central Index and web design agency character helping businesses find their way to the LocalMole.co.uk directory StormID.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

IF you’re a parent looking for top quality education, then take a look at what two of the local independent schools have to offer.

The last term has been very busy for pupils at Huddersfield

Grammar School. Fundraising events took place for Red Nose Day, Lepra and Sing for Life, raising in excess of £1,800.

The Pre-Preparatory School staged their spring drama production, the Preparatory School enjoyed swim-

Welcome to our

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ming galas, success in the Yorkshire Cross Country races and Senior School Year 11 pupils have been working hard for the final preparations for GCSE examinations.

Scholarship results were announced following the entrance examinations and individual successes across the school were celebrated at end of term assemblies, bringing to a close a very productive and successful term’s work at Huddersfield Grammar.

Rehearsals have also been at full tempo for the forthcoming Festival of Music, Speech and Drama to be held at the School from May 14 to 21 which welcomes external entries from all performers. Photo (left) shows music students.

Our Open Day is on Thursday May 21 2009, an

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For more information please contact 01484 424549 or visit www.huddersfield-grammarschool.co.uk Huddersfield Grammar School Royds Mount, Luck Lane, Marsh Huddersfield HD1 4QX T 01484 424549 F 01484 531835 E admin@huddersfield-grammarschool.co.uk

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opportunity for visitors to the school to experience a typical school day, meet pupils, staff and gain an insight into a local school for children aged three to 16 years which provides high quality education, whilst encouraging children to achieve their maximum potential.

Rastrick Independent School offers opportunities to the wider community by offering scholarships, awards and bursaries.

Welcome to Rastrick Independent School. This is your invitation to apply for our scholarship scheme.

Rastrick is a co-educational day school from birth to 16-years offering extended facilities all the year round from 7.30 am. until 6.30 pm., especially considering the needs of working parents.

Caring and educating the individual, Rastrick is a family school and boasts excellent relationships with parents.

Rastrick is a centre of excellence for children of all abilities; 100% pass

rate five or more GCSE A*-C grades including Mathematics and English.

Voted one of the Top Preparatory Schools in the Country two previous years running, this year, ‘The Times’ placed us 68th nationally. We offer a full National Curriculum with excellent SATs results.

We have a 14 year 100% pass rate to grammar schools and excellent Ofsted and ISA Inspection reports.

Annually our children excel in competitions and challenges: Speech and Drama, Dance, Singing, Music, Sports, The Mathematical Challenge and The World Class Tests are to name but a few. Examinations are taken in most extra-curricular activities, and the school does recognise and rejoice in those activities which children enjoy at home.

Applications for scholarships for five to 14 year olds are welcomed.

Visit www.rastrickschool.co.uk Please contact the headmistress for a personal visit. Telephone 01484 400344.

KIRKLEES

EMPLOYERS' BRIEFING Neil Wilson

HE Employment Appeals Tribunal has T confirmed that a dismissal may be fair where an employee inappropriately pro-

motes his religious beliefs.

In the instant case, a social worker was specifically prohibited by his local council employer from promoting any religious beliefs while undertaking duties. The employee, who is a committed Christian, was trying to promote Christianity to a number of service users. He supposedly handed out bibles to some clients and there were significant concerns that he did not recognise the need for professional boundaries.

It was made clear in this case that the reason for the dismissal was not the religious beliefs but the inappropriate promotion of the beliefs. The tribunal gave significant weight to the type of job the employee was doing and the fact that his job brought him into contact with vulnerable people.

Care should be taken whenever religious beliefs are at issue because of the protection they are afforded by anti-discrimination legislation.

Meanwhile, a survey carried out by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health has concluded that 44% of employees admit to feeling more pressure because of the recession.

Nearly two-thirds of these workers cite job insecurity as the reason for the pressure and many state that increased responsibilities and reduced resources are also contributing factors.

A spokesman from IOSH stated: “The worry from these findings is that more people are getting trapped by the pressures of living to work rather than working to live. Too much prolonged pressure is not good. Being overly pressured can affect an individual’s efficiency, frustrate teamwork and on a personal level it can impact on family life.”

Importantly, IOSH has said: “Keeping workers happy, healthy and in work is very important – it can help stop your company from going to the wall.”

So whatever difficulties employers are facing it is important not to overlook the impact which is being felt by staff as though suffering from stress and excessive pressure may develop work related illnesses, in turn often causing prolonged absence problems for companies.

In a another study, an insurance company discovered that more than 150,000 UK-based employees filed 4.98m expenses clamis in 2008 – with the total bill estimated at £8.3bn.

Worryingly, about £2bn was wrongly claimed as expenses and approved by managers last year.

The figures are apparently made up from £1.08bn in fraudulent claims with the rest spent on items not covered by companies expense policies – including massages, passport renewals and bribes.

Most of the fraudulent amounts claimed resulted from overstating the real expense involved. In many cases, mileage claims did not have an accompanying receipt and about a third of staff in the study stated that they thought it was acceptable to exaggerate the size of their expenses.

The suggested advice must be to monitor expenses claims closely and demand that accompanying receipts are provided before any claim is paid out. Employers may wish to put a policy in place stating what is acceptable to claim and any financial limits that are imposed on such items as overnight accommodation or meal allowances.

Neil Wilson is an Employment Lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

n LORRY PARK: Bedfords Transport is doing its bit to help the environment and save money

A BIRSTALL-based logistics company is taking steps to safeguard the environment and reduce its carbon footprint.

Bedfords Transport sets its drivers a monthly miles-per-gallon target to encourage economical driving – reducing fuel consumption and cutting emissions.

The company then publishes a drivers’ league table each month to show who is consistently hitting their targets.

Bedfords is also dropping the height of headboards on its triple deck fleet – making them more aerodynamic and – it is hoped – giving an additional one mile per gallon to each of the vehicles towing them.

Bedfords is also making changes in the office by launching a “Switch it Off” scheme across the business.

The company is asking all employees to make a conscious effort to turn off all electrical appliances at the end of each working day.

The company will then monitor energy and money saved by this exercise.

Philip Lockwood, commercial director of Bedfords, said: “We’re keen to do our bit for the environment and educate our employees about the little things we can all do which add up to make positives.

“We’ll continue looking for ways, however small, that will make a difference.”

Bedfords is a major shareholder and founder member of the PalletFORCE network and offers nationwide distribution for single pallets through to double-deck articulated vehicle loads. The firm has about 130 employees and a fleet of more than 70 vehicles.

TWELVE railway stations on the East Coast Main Line have been awarded a national security rating.

The stations, all of which are managed by National Express East Coast, have won Secure Stations status from the British Transport Police and the Department for Transport.

The scheme is a Government-backed initiative aimed at improving personal security at railw ay s t at i o n s. T h e national scheme covers all rail and underground networks policed by the BTP. It sets out good practice standards and recognises stations which work with the transport police and other local partners to implement security measures.

The 12 stations which now have Secure Stations status include Newcastle, Durham, York, Wakefield Westgate, Doncaster, Grantham and Peterborough.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

LONG-STANDING customer Eric Cooper was asked to perform the opening ceremony for a new-look store in Marsden.

War veteran Mr Cooper, 92, who wore his medals for the occasion, cut the ribbon to open the Your Local Boots Pharmacy at the former Alliance Pharmacy, at Peel Street.

Those attending the event included Mr Cooper’s granddaughter, Marie Cooper, who works as a pharmacy assistant at the store.

The revamp follows the merger of Boots and Alliance Pharmacy to create one of the UK’s biggest retailers in the healthcare sector.

The Marsden store is one of more than 700 to be renamed across the country.

Improvements include a wide range of beauty products, a bright new layout and private consultation areas.

Customers can also join Boots Health Club and receive personalised advice and information on a range of health topics.

Store manager Bongi Moyo said: “Marsden will see the very best of

BANKER'S BLOG Jill Hague

ONFRONTED with the present recesC sion, many companies are looking overseas to replace falling sales in their

n CEREMONY: Boots Pharmacy Marsden is opened by Eric Cooper centre with manager Bongi Moyo (centre right) and staff community pharmacy in its new store.

“We are delighted to be able to offer

even better healthcare services and a fantastic new range of products.”

Agency lights up for ASH A HUDDERSFIELD firm specialising in IT systems has appointed a Holmfirth design and marketing agency to help raise its profile over the next 12 months.

ASH Projects has signed up Worthington Brown to provide strategic marketing support and advice.

Alison Ashurst, managing director of ASH Projects, said: “We were looking for an agency that we knew we could work closely with, as we need them to get to know the company inside out and feel that they are part of the team.

“Throughout the pitch process, Worthington Brown showed that they would work alongside us by completing various workshops and departmental meetings in order to understand our processes and create a marketing strategy personalised to our needs and requirements.”

A FUNERAL home in Huddersfield has taken delivery of a brand new fleet of vehicles.

Highfield Funeral Service has introduced a new Mercedes-Benz hearse and two limousines to the business at Trinity Street.

Community manager Lee Fagan-D’Oris said: “We have always prided ourselves on our distinctive fleet of Rolls-Royces, but we needed to move forward with the times.”

He said the new vehicles offered more space while each of the black limousines could seat seven passengers rather than four as in the firm’s grey-coloured Rolls-Royce Silver Shadows.

Said Lee: “A more modern fleet was necessary to maintain our high standards without compromising on the quality of sevrice offered to bereaved families at their time of need.

“This enables them to travel in style with the added benefit of climate control/air conditioning, full leather upholstery and extra leg room for passengers.”

Highfield is part of Dignity Caring Funeral Services.

Worthington Brown has been appointed to determine the marketing strategy of ASH Projects for 2009/2010, setting out a full marketing plan and showing how it will then be implemented across all functions of the business.

Neil Worthington, managing director of Worthington Brown, said: “We are extremely pleased to announce this contract win and we are looking forward to working with all the team at ASH Projects.

“At Worthington Brown, our aim is to ensure that the work we provide is specifically tailored to a client’s needs and requirements. This means that we always familiarise ourselves with a client before presuming to understand them – and to do this requires going back to the shopfloor to educate ourselves about their business

and its aims and objectives.”

Worthington Brown will work with ASH Projects to develop a strategy for sales growth over the coming 12 months and beyond by finding ways to attract new clients in addition to re-invigorating existing customers.

The strategy will include a series of “360 discovery” workshops to evaluate all aspects of the business and identify key objectives for the coming year.

These will then provide the basis of the marketing strategy and plan, which will result in brand updates and an overhaul of the company’s website.

Said Mr Worthington: “Many of our SME clients are now taking advantage of this new service in order to fine tune their marketing and business strategies in light of the current economic climate.”

traditional markets.

However, exporters can face significant risks when they undertake international trade, not least the fear of delay or non-payment and a foreign exchange market which has moved faster in the last 12 months than most can remember Delays in payment can create major problems for businesses but can be avoided by selecting the correct payment mechanism and finance option.

Invoice finance: With the increasing demand for open account sales around Europe and the USA, the modern method of reliable cash flow management is factoring.

Invoice finance helps you to trade from a position of financial strength and offers exporters a comprehensive financial package that includes receivables financing, credit protection, sales ledger management and collection. l Documentary credits: The recent economic climate has also seen a return to favour of one of the more traditional payment mechanisms, the documentary credit.

A documentary credit is an undertaking by a bank, on behalf of an importer, that the payment will be made for goods and services supplied by an exporter.

The exporter, however, must ensure that all the terms and conditions in the credit are met to secure payment. Documentary credits can also be used by the exporter as a means of gaining finance before the payment date agreed in the conditions.

The added security of documentary credits means that banks are often prepared to advance funds before the due date in the knowledge that an agreement to pay from the importers bank exists. l Foreign exchange risks: Recent movements in the foreign exchange markets have been large enough to turn an international transaction with a comfortable profit into a scramble to breakeven for companies who have not managed their exchange risks.

Businesses are recommended to identify their exposure and implement a hedging strategy.

Banks offer several methods of fixed and flexible hedging products which can be tailored to suit all situations.

Although exporting may seem fraught with risks, there is help available and companies are encouraged to speak about these issues to their bank and the local UKTI office.

Jill Hague is Head of Commercial Banking for HSBC in Huddersfield

n MOTOR POWER: Highfield Funeral Service personnel (from left) Jason Allan, Skye Knight and Lee Fagan-D'oris with the new vehicles

Company news to report?

Contact Henryk Zientek on 01484 437766 or email henryk.zientek @examiner .co.uk

KIRKLEES

John knows all the right steps!

HUNDREDS of Yorkshire firms have been helped by a ground-breaking £10m training and skills initiative, a report has revealed.

The study into the Learning and Skills Council’s Skills Fund by economic development experts EKOS has found that the investment in talent has resulted in a boost of up to £34.5m to the regional economy.

This has resulted more than 120 jobs being created in West Yorkshire, with 4,200 people engaged on training programmes and 680 businesses offered support.

The Skills Fund was a pilot project launched by the LSC in 2007 to provide £10m in support and access to training for employers in West and North Yorkshire and the Humber. The training is delivered through a network of providers, colleges and government agencies.

During the nine months the Skills Fund was in place, about £4.5m was invested in the West Yorkshire region.

The EKOS study showed that more than 450 people were helped into employment, resulting in a boost to the regional economy of up to £34.5m. About 1,200 businesses – many of which had never accessed support before – took advantage of the scheme.

About 5,000 employees enrolled on short courses and 3,000 benefited from information, advice and guidance offered by providers.

Businesses reported improvements in areas including IT and health and safety, as well as management and leadership areas.

Ebrahim Dockrat, skills development director for the LSC in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This research shows clearly that skills are crucial to business success and it is very encouraging to see the positive results of the LSC’s investment through the Skills Fund.”

BROADCASTER John Sargent recounted stories from his days as a political correspondent – and his exploits on TV’s Strictly Come Dancing – when he was guest speaker at a dinner in Huddersfield.

And the former BBC reporter revealed how his performances on the show – which teams professional dancers with celebrities – entertained the highest in the land.

John and dance partner Kristina Rihanoff became favourites with the viewers – polling 1.7m votes at one stage to stay in the contest. However, John decided to quit the competition to end the controversy.

John told guests at the annual dinner of the Huddersfield Society of Chartered Accountants that he was tempted to add “by Royal Appointment” to his name after hearing that the Queen was a firm fan of the show, telling one courtier: “We all enjoy being entertained by John Sargent.”

The broadcaster also recalled humorous incidents during his career

covering political leaders such as George Bush, Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair.

He told how during a trip to Japan with Tony Blair he decided to greet the Prime Minister in Oriental style with a slight bow – only for the PM’s “minder” Alistair Campbell to growl: “Lower, Sargent, lower!”

More than 250 business people attended the chartered accountants’ dinner at the Galpharm Stadium, when president Andrew McConnell introduced top-table guests including the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Karam Hussain; Mayoress Nasreen Akhtar; Merryck Lowe, president of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants; and Town and Giants chairman Ken Davy.

Mr Davy, who heads financial adviser support group SimplyBiz, urged business leaders in the town to work together to tackle the of the recession.

“As ‘doers’ in the town, we need to work together to build a new tomor-

n TOP GUESTS: Cllr Karam Hussain (left) Mayor of Kirklees; with (from left) Andrew McConnell, president of the Huddersfield Society of Chartered Account; John Sargent; Ken Davy, chairman of SimplyBiz plc

row for the town,” he said. “What we do now will determine the future of Huddersfield for the next generation.

“We are surrounded by problems and we have an economy in chaos, but the reality is that we can sit back and

n PRINT RUN: John Royle (third right), partner at Eaton Smith, presents the award to Tim Parkin (second right) and Dan Parkin (right), of Brook & Learoyd Ltd, with (from left) Steven Leigh, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Paul Greetham, of Huddersfield University; and Jason Metcalfe, of Hanson Chartered Surveyors

A PRINTING company with an eye for detail is the latest winner of a monthly business award.

Huddersfield-based Brook & Learoyd Ltd impressed the judges in the Business of the Month Award run by law firm Eaton Smith and the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Brook & Learoyd is renowned for a huge range of printed products – from a single business card to a full colour brochure, an annual report to a mailshot.

Using the latest technology they can fold that leaflet to any size and shape – even down to

the smallest, scientifically possible size.

The company also offers the “Peel4More Leaflet Label System” – used on many top brands of products, from batteries to motor oil and shampoo to cheese.

Brook & Learoyd was presented with the award in recognition of its long history in printing, its track record for developing products and applying “know how” for today’s business needs.

Managing director Tim Parkin said: “As an employer in the town for over 160 years, we are delighted to have joined the

previous winners of the Business of the Month Awards.

“The Peel4More Leaflet L ab e l S y s t e m h a s b e e n developed over the past eight years with a lot of hard work and dedication by not just myself and my brother Dan but a lot of behind-the-scenes employees who truly deserve to share a part of this award.”

The Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award is open to all companies in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Go to www.eatonsmith.co.uk or contact Ian Greenwood, of Eaton Smith, on 01484 821389.

be victims or we can use our energy and creative skills to take things by the scruff of the neck and make the future what we want.”

“Every recession creates opportunities and this recession is no different in that respect.”

A HUDDERSFIELD woman has spearheaded the revival of a professional body in Yorkshire.

Alison France (right), managing director of Grange Moor-based Sanderson Associates, has led efforts to revive the Yorkshire branch of the Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers.

Sanderson Associates, one of the UK’s leading independent consulting engineers, has provided key committee members for the IHIE and created a new programme of events for 2009.

Alison said: “The IHIE is a very important professional organisation, which helps all of its members improve their qualifications and reach their full potential.

Recently, it had been suffering in Yorkshire with branch meetings ceasing.

“So Sanderson Associates have provided the IHIE with two joint secretaries, Karen Smith and Louise Milner, who have already taken up their posts.

They have formulated an interesting programme of events for all of the 235 IHIE members in Yorkshire.”

Events, which will take place at Sanderson Associates’ headquarters, including talks on the Trinity Walk development in

Wakefield by Peter Maurice of Sanderson Associates, together with lectures on highway legislation and ground stabilisation.

The aim of the IHIE is to help members deliver safe, sustainable transport systems.

It provides professional leadership by developing and sharing knowledge and standards. IHIE branches cover the UK and run site visits, seminars, technical meetings and presentations and social events.

Said Alison: “These meetings and seminars are so worthwhile.

“You can keep up to date, widen your professional contacts and meet many of your professional development needs at branch meetings.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

REAL NET ESTATE BENEFIT

CITY TALK Simon Kaye

Amandeep Koomer

HE 20 leading industrialised countries T of the world have met in London to try to agree policies that will mitigate the

HAT should you expect when W buying property from an administrator?

With many property businesses failing in the current market, it is likely at some point you may have to consider whether to acquire a property from an administrator. The expression “buyer beware”, has never been more relevant.

An administrator selling property generally has not had the benefit of occupying, managing, or owning a property on a daily basis. Consequently, there is often a lack of information, available to the buyer. Even if the administrator has occupied the property, there will be an unwillingness to make representations on which the buyer can rely on. So what can a buyer realistically expect?

Often administrators are not aware whether items left at the property are owned by the company or third parties or the terms and conditions of any hiring or leasing agreements. Administrators will avoid “selling” these items and will only transfer such right title and interest as the seller has. Making sure the property is handed over in the condition expected by the buyer requires appropriate physical handover arrangements.

The buyer should not expect any title guarantees or warranties with regard to the property, which means the buyer will need to satisfy itself through its own due diligence (if the documents are available), or take a view on the lack of information. This becomes all the more significant for a part-developed site.

The administrators shall expressly exclude personal liability and provide confirmation that the administrator is acting for and on behalf of the company (in administration) and only as its agent.

It is worth exploring the possibility of the administrator agreeing to take on certain limited obligations in the contract, such as the collection of rent arrears, a breach of which could be pursued and damages claimed for as an ‘expense of the administration’. This would allow the buyer some ability to obtain redress where necessary.

Generally there will be no guarantee that the property is sold with vacant possession. A buyer should therefore conduct careful due diligence and investigate whether any third party is in occupation and if so, on what basis. Vacant possession also means free of goods and furniture etc. The cost of clearance should be factored into the acquisition price.

When acquiring property from an administrator, there are many uncertainties which means a buyer should undertake as much direct and indirect due diligence as time and information allow.

The good news is that the acquisition price should reflect these risks and uncertainties.

Amandeep Koomer is a real estate partner at Austin Kemp Solicitors

n SCREEN GRAB: Tom Morgan (left) and Ben Childs try out the Grabbing Gordon game, which they devised for a firm buying secondhand mobiles

Gordon gets helping hand GORDON Brown needs all the help he can get at present.

So a Huddersfield company has come to the rescue – by devising a website where visitors can help our hard-pressed Prime Minister rescue Britain’s embattled banks.

An online game, called Grabbing Gordon, invites players to use their keyboard spacebar to help the premier “save” four banks before they go bust – while Big Ben ticks down the time and the interest rate runs down to zero.

Once they have completed the light-hearted game, visitors can move to the website proper – which provides information on selling your old mobile phones.

The interactive site was developed by Common Agency, a web design company based at the Huddersfild Media Centre, for London-based fonebank.com, an online company specialising in buying second-hand mobiles.

Ben Childs, 34, managing director of Common Agency, said: “Our client was looking for a quirky way to promote its business.

“The idea of the game was to provide five minutes of fun before people click onto the site proper to get their old mobiles valued. The client was happy to adopt this tongue-in-cheek tactic.”

The game was designed by senior designer Tom Morgan, 32, who joined Common Agency six months ago.

Ben, who studied product design at Huddersfield University, launched Common Agency three years ago at the Media Centre after running the design team for mobiles giant Orange in Leeds, where he

WEST Yorkshire has hosted a major marketing conference.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing staged Marketing Live in association with Microsoft Advertising at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

The event used the unusual theme of recreating a live TV broadcast – turning the 400-plus attendees into a virtual studio audience.

worked alongside Tom. Now Common Agency has four full-time employees as well as a number of contract workers – and numbers Orange and mobile phone designer and manufacturer HTC among its clients.

Common Agency also works with other firms in the Media Centre and in Leeds and Manchester.

The firm has worked on projects including interactive websites, multilingual websites and e-commerce websites.

Previous projects include devising an online game for children’s TV channel CBBC. Despite its northern roots, at least half its customers are based in London and the south-east.

Said Ben: “It is not often big companies go looking for resources outside London, but in some ways the rcession has provided us with an advantage because we can offer cheaper prices than agencies in the capital.

“There is also the fact that some London-based businesses, perhaps, don’t have such high expectations of suppliers in the north – so they are pleasantly surprised when they find what we can do.”

Ben said Common Agency was weathering the current climate – after a seasonal slowdown in business towards the end of last year..

He said: “Since February, we have been as busy as we have ever been – and there has been a lot more interactive work along the lines of ‘Grabbing Gordon’.”

Projects under way include interact sites for a housing scheme in Rochdale and a community radio in Leeds.

The event included interviews, panel discussions, debates and pre-recorded interviews with leading marketing figures, who explored the importance and value of marketing in a changing economy.

They included Christopher Dankl, of Sony DADC; Thomas Brown of the CIM and Chris Brooks, managing director of Integrated Results.

effects of the global recession.

The initial response is that more was achieved than was expected, or usual, for these events. In addition, substantial measures have already been enacted to boost economic growth, many of which take a year or more to take effect.

In the meantime, the global economy is suffering from a general collapse in confidence, feeding a discouraging stream of news into financial markets.

However, although the immediate outlook remains particularly uncertain, equity markets staged a major rally during March, recouping around half of their 2009 losses. It is not possible to know yet if this is a sunny period between thunderstorms or the advent of spring but at least those who believe equity assets have become cheap are getting a hearing.

If 1999 is looked back on as the peak of the “Cult of the Equity”, we appear to be at the opposite end of the spectrum now, after a decade in which equity markets have twice halved and current lie towards the bottom of the second fall.

Data for the US market going back to before the reign of Queen Victoria indicates that on the rare occasions (such as now) that 10-year returns have been close to or below zero, the subsequent period has seen above average returns. This fits with the intuitive idea that when something has done exceptionally well or badly it is appropriate to question whether the recent trend is sustainable, not to extrapolate it into the future.

Unless the global economy fails to rediscover how to grow, equities and other risk assets are cheaply rated relative to assets that have recently done well, such as cash and government bonds. This does not mean that they cannot become cheaper – that will depend upon when investors can see through the bottom of this unusually nasty economic cycle.

Leaving aside the imponderable of when this economic downturn will end, there is another reason to ensure a proper representation of “real” assets in portfolios. That is the risk that inflation will be higher, possibly significantly higher, than expected.

Real assets, such as property and equity (as a claim on producing assets) tend over time to maintain their value after inflation, whereas the value of cash and most bonds is eroded by it. If official inflation targets of 2% are met, there is little or no margin in cash rates or gilt yields to compensate for the risk of something worse occurring.

History should serve as a warning. Between 1945 (following the Depression and World War Two) and the end of 1974, gilts lost 73% of their value in real terms (including reinvested income). Over the same period (even though the end of 1974 was the trough of the worst bear market in post-war history) UK equities gained 71% in real terms.

The immediate economic outlook is uncertain, which argues for caution in increasing portfolio exposure to risky assets. However, betting against real assets at current ratings, when the offered reward for holding “safe” assets such as cash and gilts is so low does not look the right call for long term investors.

Simon Kaye is Divisional Director at Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management

KIRKLEES

PROPERTY FOCUS industrial

misc InstructedbyPSargentand CMBrook JointAdministratorsof EsogratLimited

TO LET

Modern Industrial Unit with Good Eaves Height

n TOWN TALK: Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik (left) met Government Minister Rosie Winterton and Kirklees leader Clr Mehboob Khan to discuss plans for the town

MP in drive to revive Dewsbury

A PROGRAMME to revitalise Dewsbury town centre is being drawn up following a major meeting in the town.

The meeting was organised by Dewsbury Labour MP Shahid Malik and attended by more than 50 local business people.

Also taking part were Rosie WInterton, regional minister for Yorkshire; Kirklees Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan and officials from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

The meeting was told that Kirklees Council’s new cabinet had made regeneration of the town centre a priority for millions of pounds of development cash.

Mr Malik has campaigned for more office-based council jobs to be transferred from Huddersfield to Dewsbury as part of efforts to support local retailers.

He said: “The future prosperity of the town is something that every single person at the meeting had at heart.

“The desire to regenerate and succeeed is there and to achieve those objectives I will be working closely with Kirklees and local businesses to drive forward the economic expectations and prosperity of Dewsbury.”

Mr Malik said: “Of major concern is the state of the town centre – an issue I have been campaigning on for the past three years and an area where I know there will be swift action from the new council administration.”

Clr Khan said those attending the meeting were “genuine in their concern for Dewsbury” and determined to work with the council to improve the quality of life for local people.

Property crown for DTZ PROPERTY agent DTZ has been named the commercial property industry’s top agent in the North and West Midlands in the 2008 EGi Deals Competition Awards.

Global property adviser DTZ secured top place in five categories by beating off competition from Lambert Smith Hampton, CB Richard Ellis, Savills, GVA Lamb and Edge, Sanderson Weatherall, Cushman and Wakefield and King Sturge.

Three of these wins were for DTZ’s office

agency team, who were named Top Office Agents in the West Midlands, Wales and London. Across the UK, DTZ’s office agency team transacted more than 9.7m sq ft in 2008, completing more than 800 deals.

DTZ took the northern region crown with top rankings for the office and industrial teams.

In 2008, the Manchester offices team were responsible for 10 of the top 17 largest deals in Manchester.

Unit A2 Spring Bank Industrial Estate, Watson Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge • 251-503m2 (2,704-5,408sqft) • Availableasoneunitoras twoequallysplitunits • 2xelectrical4mhighsteel rollershutterdoors,SCF, halogenboxlighting,3 phaseelectricitysupply • Sharedloadingyardand parkingareasecuredbya perimeterpalisadeand electricfence • Excellentlocationcloseto J22M62 • Rentalonapplication

TO LET

– Rent free period available

Modern Industrial /Warehouse Unit

Unit G14, Lock View, Lowfields Business Park, Elland • 1027.6m2 (11,062sqft) • Fullyfitted • Excellentlocation withintheM62corridor • Secureyard • Rental:£57,500pax

TO LET (May Sell)

Quebec Street, Elland • 520m2 (5,600sqft) • Excellentmodernsingle storeyfactory • Largesharedyardandcar parkingprovision • Officesplus mezzaninestorage • Rent:£28,000pax

22B Calder Trading Estate, Bradley, Huddersfield • 929m2 (10,000sqft) • 2xfullheightshutter dooraccess • 5mminimumeaves • Rentalonapplication

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Prominently Located Multi Storey Mill Complex

Prospect Mills, Elland • Approx7,432m2 (80,000sqft) • Toletaswholeoronfloor byfloorbasis • Goodroadlinkscloseto J24M62 • Allmainsservices including3Phase electricity • Goodsliftservicingall floorlevels • Furtherdetailson application

Lowfields Business Park, Elland • 1026.2m2 (11,046sqft) • Moderndetached industrialunit • Highofficecontent • Privateyard • Excellentlocationwith motorwayaccess • Rentalonapplication

BRAND image consultancy Schwak has taken space at a major development in Leeds.

The company has taken a five-year lease on 4,400sq ft of office accommodation at The Pavilion Building, City West.

Phillip Dawson, associate director at DTZ , which acted on behalf of the firm, said: “Schawk has been seeking modern high profile office premises for some time.

Securing space at City West has enabled

them to significantly improve their working environment.

“A further letting of office space in the out of town market is good news for Leeds, which has seen encouraging increased take up in recent times.”

Rob Moore, managing director at Schawk, added: “The Pavillion Building at City West provides an excellent location with the necessary functionality and image required of our business.”

Sedburgh Road, Halifax • FactoryandOffice complexwithparking • 2,439m2 (26,264sqft) onasitearea1.2Acres • Rental:£30,000pax

detachedworkshop 2,321sqftplusmezzanine storage278sqft VehicleInspectionPit • 3xfullheightrollershutters • • Worksoffice • OperatorsLicense • Securesiteextendingto approx0.44Acresoffering expansionforfurther development.

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Elland Lane, Elland • 5170m2 (55,650 sq ft) • Substantialsinglestorey warehouse/distribution unit • Canopiedloadingbay • Excellentmainroad communications • Rentonapplication

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Victoria Park, Lightowler Rd, Halifax • 1,530– 4740sqft • Secureyardwithparking • Rentfrom£1persqft yearone • Priceonapplication

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Heathfield Street, Elland • 642m2 (6,912ft) • Detachedtwostoreyoffice andworks • Easeofaccessto Junc24M62 • Gooddriveinaccess • Rent:£22,500pax

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Norwich Union House

High Street, Huddersfield Thirdflooroffice accommodationinprominent TownCentrelocation • 5xofficesuitespluskitchen totaling1,685sqft • Passengerliftaccess • DDACompliant • Commissionaireservice • Rentalonapplication

•

Britannia Buildings, Briggate, Elland • GroundFloorOfficeSuite 750Sqft

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Unit 4 Heathfield Business Park

Heathfield Street, Elland • 435.6m2 (4,687sqft) • Modernsinglestorey industrial/warehouseunit • Goodmainroad communications • Secureyardarea.

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Grove Mills

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Modern Trade Industrial Units

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River Street, Brighouse • SubstantialWorkshop Property • 2,530m2 (27,233sqft) • With0.6Acrehard surfaced&secureyard • PriceonApplication

Pellon, Halifax • Workshopandofficeunits • 1,000sqftto20,290sqft • Redevelopmentpotential • Rentals/Priceon application

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Caldervale Works

Clifby Works

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FOR SALE FORSALE

Halifax • Goodqualityperiodoffices onListedHoldsworthsMill site • Suitesfrom100sqftto 5,500sqft • Lowcoststorage/ industrialspace • From5,000sqftto 100,000sqft • Rentalonapplication

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Canal Basin, Sowerby Bridge • 146.12– 180.23m2 (1,573– 1,940sqft) • Openplanoffices • CatIIlightingandfloorboxes throughout • Liftaccess • CommunalWCsand Kitchenettes • Rentalsonapplication

Wellington Mills, Quebec Street, Elland • 98m2 (1,050ft) • Firstflooroffices • Allocatedcarparking provision • Finishedtoagoodstandard throughout • Rent:£6,300pax

High spec office suites,Elland

• Excellentselfcontained officebuildings 465m2 (3,000sqft– 5,000sqft) Privateparking Rentalsonapplication

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Modern Offices in Two Unique Refurbished Canal Side Buildings

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

PROPERTY FOCUS

Chancellor under fire YORKSHIRE property experts have hit out at the timing of a “welcome” decision to reduce uniform business rates next year.

Chancellor Alistair Darling said the UBR would rise by 2% next year rather than 5% as first announced.

H oweve r, t h e C h a n c e l l o r intends to recover the tax lost by increasing the level of UBR in the following two years – meaning the increase has in effect been postponed.

Richard Wackett (pictured), national rating director for Lambert Smith Hampton in Leeds, said: “This change, while welcome, should have been announced by the New Year.

“All billing authorities will have prepared and in many cases sent out accounts for the 2009/10 year and these will now have to re-issued.

“This is a recipe for confusion.

Sadly it will add another level to

the complexity of rate demands.”

He added: Business must hope that the Chancellor realises over the next 12 months that it is impractical to recover the income forgone and writes off the additional charges for 2011 and 2012.”

Jennifer Brooke, executive director of the Business Centres Association, said the Chancellor’s decision was a “small step in the right direction” but added that a decrease would have been more help in current difficult trading conditions.

She said: “On behalf of our members, we have lobbied the Government to freeze the business rate increase to reflect the Retail Price Index, which is at zero per cent.

“This Chancellor's decision still means that businesses are faced with increased bills at a time of restricted cashflow.

"In addition, it is set to cause confusion for local authorities that have already issued rate bills and those small businesses who will have received bills with thousands of pounds in increased taxes.

“It is nonsensical that the deferral will not be granted automatically; we are now in a position where 1.6m ratepayers will need to apply to their local authority for new payment plans.”

She added: “I can only hope that the Chancellor now realises that it is impractical to recover this lost tax, especially in current economic conditions.”

n PIPE DREAMS: Workers prepare to lay the pipe for the new heat pump installed under the lake at Walton Hall, near Wakefield

A FOUR-STAR hotel in West Yorkshire is leading the way when it comes to going green.

Waterton Park Hotel and Walton Hall, near Wakefield, has installed the country’s first 60kw ground and water source heat pump.

The system which uses the latest technology, will save198 tonnes of carbon emissions – providing heating for the hall’s newly-refurbished pool and leisure facilities.

Four miles of pipes were laid beneath the 26-acre lake that surrounds the historic Walton Hall.

These pipes are connected to a pump that drives the natural heat through to warm the hotel and leisure complex.

General manager Simon Murphy said: “We all need to be looking at ways to reduce carbon emissions as part of the conservation of our planet for future generations and installations such as this go a long way to doing just that.

“This project is particularly appropriate at the historic Walton Hall as Charles Waterton – whose family once owned the hall – was

Demand for rentals is outpacing supply DEMAND for rented property is far outstripping supply, an estate agency in Huddersfield has revealed.

Staff at Bairstow Eves Countrywide are scouring the town and surrounding areas for vacant properties to meet high levels of demand from potential tenants.

Lettings manager Emma Pickford said the branch at John William Street had set up its lettings department last November, since when it had been very successful.

But she said: “More people are walking through the door – demand is massive. But we cannot get properties quickly enough to meet that demand. I am registering 10 people a day who are looking for somewhere to rent. Some of them come back week after week.

“We are leafleting widely and looking righr across the district at areas such as Denby Dale, Scissett and Clayton West to Outlane and Brighouse in search of properties.”

E m m a s a i d d e m a n d fo r re n t e d accommmodation was being fed by people such as young couples unable to get a mort-

gage to buy a house;ex-pats returning to the UK because the cost of living abroad is more expensive; and people moving due to a change of job.

As a result, there was demand for all types of houses. “Normally, a typical rental property is a two or three bedroom terraced house,” she said. “But we have been letting modern executive-type properties and larger houses.”

But she said people struggling to sell empty houses on the market were unaware of the benefits of renting them out. In some cases, they were uncertain about how to go about being a landlord.

“People who want to sell – but can’t – could be renting them out. As long as a house is empty, it will depreciate in value. While it is lived in, it is being looked after – and it can provide a valuable source of income.”

Emma said the lettings department could organise tenancies for as little as six months – and offered three levels of support depending on the experience of the landlord con-

himself a pioneer building the world’s first wildfowl water park here in the early 19th century.

“He was also at the forefront in the fight against industrial pollution and I am sure he would have been very pleased to see the use of modern pollution free technology being used in this way.”

One advantage of the innovative installation is that the system of pipes also helps keep the lake water at an even temperature – reducing the algae that can build up in summer and benefiting the fish and wildfowl.

n PROPERTY VALUES: Staff from the Bairstow Eves Countrywide estate agency on John William St, Huddersfield, have reported strong demand following the opening of their lettings department, Pictured are (from left) Katy Marshall, Helen McManus, Dale Challis, manager, Rachel Foster and lettings manager Emma Pickford

cerned.

She said: “We offer ‘let only’ for more experienced landlords who just want us to find a tenant, leaving them to manage the tenancy and collect the rent.

“We also offer ‘partial management’ where we arrange to collect the rent every month. Or

we can offer ‘full management’ where we deal with everything.”

Said Emma: “The lettings department is here to stay. It is not just something we have done to fill a gap. But we need a variety of properties to meet what is a growing market.”

KIRKLEES

PROPERTY FOCUS

Milestone reached at Birstall scheme

COMMERCIAL and industrial agents Michael Steel & Co have completed the sale of a former MoT garage at Blakeridge Mill, Batley.

The premises (above), which extend to 2,600sq ft of single-storey former garage

PROPERTY consultancy DTZ has appointed Andrew Jones as UK chief operating officer.

Mr Jones will report to Bob Rickert, global chief operating officer and will sit on the UK

repair accommodation and a small forecourt, have been sold to a Batley-based owner-occupier who plans to upgrade the site and occupy it themselves. Offers exceeding £350,000 were initially sought for the premises.

Leadership team.

Mr Jones joins DTZ from Barclays Plc, where he was operations director and chief procurement officer. He has also worked for Prudential .

A DEVELOPMENT in Birstall has reached a major milestone.

The Springwell 27 scheme has completed 40,000sq ft of industrial warehousing – of which 60% has already sold.

The development completed to date on the eight-acre site includes a terrace of 29,000sq ft comprising 11 units – ranging in size from 2,196sq ft to 3,918sq ft.

Five of the speculative units have already been sold and a further unit is now under offer on the business park close to junction 27 of the M62.

Occupiers include local and national firms such as Turbo Engineering, Aceda Developments, North Fire, Floorbrite and Banana Moon.

Turbo Engineering, a light engineering firm servicing the motor trade, was the first company to commit to the terrace by taking about 2,500sq ft.

Managing director Allen Terry said: “We had been operating from the nearby Carr Mills Business Park for a number of years and were

desperately in need of modern facilities which would give us the flexibility to expand, while maintaining our presence in the local area.

“We have been particularly impressed with the build quality and ceiling height, which will give us the capacity to expand in the future without having to relocate.”

Richard Tovey, development director of Gregory Property Developments, said: “There is a real shortage of quality industrial accommodation in this strategic location and we have been very encouraged by the sales to date.

“Despite the current climate, we are still attracting good occupier interest and conducting frequent viewings.

“The fact that several units have sold in such a short time frame is evidence of the quality of the scheme.”

The success of the terrace follows the commitment by a major inward investor to another element of the scheme.

Ocado, the independent online grocery retailer, which distributes Waitrose own-label products, now occupies a unit of 10,500sq ft on three acres at the development, where it operates a regional distribution hub.

The company expects to create more than 300 jobs over the next few years and the developer estimates that a further 100 jobs are likely to be created elsewhere within the scheme.

Said Mr Tovey: “We have worked in partnership with Kirklees Council to attract and facilitate the requirements of this major inward investor, which is a real coup for the region.”

Eshton Gregory, the joint venture group behind the ascheme, has also secured detailed planning permission for a further 30,000sq ft on two acres offering design and build opportunities – with units ranging from 10,000sq ft to 30,000sq ft.

The joint agents appointed to market the scheme are Carter Jonas and Dove Haigh Phillips. Gordons Solicitors acted for Eshton Gregory on lettings and sales.

industrial

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Old Fieldhouse Lane, Huddersfield

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eddisons.com

Holme Bank Mills Station Road, Mirfield

Walkley Works Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike

TO LET 93 m² - 930 m² (1,000 sq ft - 10,000 sq ft) Varierty of warehouse, workshop and office accommodation Located within popular business park Convenient for J25/M62

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Cartwright Court Bradley, Huddersfield

Norwich Union House Market Street, Huddersfield

TO LET 69 m² - 231 m² (740 sq ft - 2,490 sq ft) Modern office accommodation Popular business park location Ease of access to M62 motorway

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Contact Philip Deakin or David Wright 01484 533151

Offices in: Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Glasgow, Huddersfield, Leeds, London, Manchester

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS

PROPERTY FOCUS

Rok hit by profits fall A BUILDING and maintenance firm involved in projects across Kirklees has announced a 25% fall in profits – but said a shirt to more lucrative work was almost complete.

Exeter-based Rok, which has carried out work on local schools and public buldings, said adjusted pre-tax profits for 2008 totalled £20.4m against £27.2m in 2007.

Operating profits from new build work plunged by 78% to just £2.2m in 2008.

In contrast, earnings from planned repairs such as plumbing and electrical services were up by 12% to £16.8m while profits from call-out maintenance grew by 30% to £7.4m.

The company said it had quickened the pace in shifting from low-margin contracting work to more profitable repairs and maintenance services, adding the transition was “virtually complete”.

Rok has also closed its property development arm as it believes returns are likely to be inadequate for the foreseeable

future.

The group said it had axed 700 jobs as part of the shake-up at a cost of £8.3m and reduced the number of its premises to help cut costs by £30m a year.

Including one-off costs and other charges, pre-tax profits p l u n g e d t o £ 5 . 9 m f ro m £24.5m.

Chief exe c ut ive G a rv is Snook said: “There is no doubt that we experienced a sharp setback last year but acted promptly and decisively to plan for the reduced revenue expectations.”

He said maintenance-related services would account for more than two thirds of gross profits in future, adding that Rok’s pipeline of work is “strong”.

The company is involved in the selection process for 172 new long-term contracts worth £2.1bn.

Since the year-end, Rok had already won framework agreements amounting to £250m.

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n WELCOME ABOARD: New franchisee Steve Dunning (centre) is congratulated by director Keith Spearman (left) and managing director John Quinn, of Spectacular Driveways (UK) Ltd

A HUDDERSFIELD business has taken its first steps to setting up a string of franchises.

Lockwood-based Spectacular Driveways (UK) Ltd operates a training centre to instruct franchisees in laying driveways using concrete coloured and patterned to resemble stone or other materials and apply a sealing coat to enhance the colour and combat dirt and oil stains.

T h e c o m p a n y, w h i c h h a s premises in Albert Street, is headed by businessman John Quinn, who has lectured on construction and has many years experience in the

building industry.

Now it has signed up its its first franchisee – York-based Steve Dunning – who has completed his training and is now operating under the Spectacular Driveways banner as franchisee for the York area.

Mr Quinn said Mr Dunning was the first of a number of people keen to go into business for themselves as franchisees, including potential partners in the Midlands and eastern England.

Spectacular Driveways (UK) Ltd provides franchisees with sales literature, DVDs and photos; sales

leads; colour samples; help with business plans and sales training as well as technical support.

The driveways work is offered to homeowners wanting to improve the look of their drives and paths, conservatory floors and patios.

The decorated concrete can also be used for other applications, including industrial floors, swimming pool surrounds and kitchen worktops.

Mr Quinn also aims to set up formal NVQs in pattern imprinted concrete, giving trainees a recognised qualification.

Output set to rise despite recession BUI L DI NG fir ms ex p e c t to increase output next year – despite the recession.

A survey by business advisory firm Deloitte said construction output in the UK was forecast to grow by 2% to about £79bn in 2010.

This is despite predictions from industry commentators that construction output in the UK will be 7% to 10% lower at about £77bn this year.

“It is clear that this year will be a year for ‘battening down the hatches’ for what could be a prolonged period of stagnation,” said Simon Manning, audit and advisory partner in the Leeds office of Deloitte.

“Industry commentators are generally agreed that the raft of new public sector projects, supported by increased Government expenditure,

will be insufficient to prevent construction output falling steeply in 2009.”

Mr Manning said: “Recent opinions within the industry indicate that public projects in the education, health and transport sectors are essential for the short-term prospects of the industry.

“However, in the medium term it must not be forgotten that there will be high levels of Government debt that need repaying and this could lead to a cut in public spending.

“Therefore, we must hope that by 2010 the private sector has regained at least a modicum of momentum before the inevitable Government cuts are felt.”

Mr Manning said construction companies must show “an unwavering concentration on cash and working capital” as well as strong

corporate governance if they were to survive in the current climate.

Firms should establish clear and unambiguous rules with regard to the management of variations, and claims; ensure that the “natural tension” in terms of cash flow between the design, construction and facilities management phases are understood and taken into account; and understand the limits of partnerships and so called ‘special’ relationships.

Said Mr Manning: “While in the recent past the construction industry has focused on growth and profit, cash and working capital will be at the heart of every construction firm’s survival during 2009 and 2010.

“Some companies are adapting to this faster and more effectively than others.”

KIRKLEES

PROPERTY

FOCUS

n NEW HOME: Louise Broadley (left) and Nancy Finnigan of recruitment company, ESTL which has moved in to new premises in the newly renovated Folly Hall Mills

Firm completes its move to Folly Hall A TRAINING company in Huddersfield has completed its move to a historic mill building.

Award-winning firm ESTLhas installed its staff in the refurbished Folly Hall Mills on the banks of the river Colne at Folly Hall. The company has outgrown its previous headquarters at Kirkburton.

Folly Hall Mills, a Grade II listed building, is being converted into 60,000sq ft high-quality offices by Dewsbury-based Jay Tee Group.

ESTL has taken space in both mill buildings on the site, as well the extended boiler house, to accommodate its 100 staff.

The company has taken 6,900sq ft in the small mill, which means that it is now full. It has also taken 3,300sq ft in the boiler house and 3,400sq ft in the main mill.

Staff have already moved into the small mill and will be transferring into the boiler house, newly-built atrium and main mill later this year.

ESTL managing director Rachel Stirling said: “We have moved to Folly

BUILDING products firm Marshalls has won an award for a pioneering “green” initiative.

The Birkby-based company, which also has operations at Elland, was presented with the Achievement in Sustainability Award at the PLC Awards held at L o n d o n’s G ro s ve n o r H o u s e Hotel.

The company was recognsied for its work on “carbon labelling”

Hall because we have experienced considerable growth in the last 12 months, which is forecast to continue.

“This means that our staff base, physical and training resources are in the process of being trebled and to enable us to facilitate this, we required substantially bigger premises.

“We chose Folly Hall for our relocation for a number of reasons, including its central location – which enables us to retain existing staff – its car parking facilities and the chance of having purpose-built premises with specifically designed spaces.

“It is wonderful to be part of an exciting regeneration scheme for Huddersfield and to create new employment opportunities for the local community,” she said.

ESTL specialises in training and assessment, operating teams from its West Yorkshire and north-east offices.

It also has a nationwide network of trainers and assessors covering the UK. Paul Bailey, project director at the

and its overall approach to carbon reduction.

Last autumn, the supplier of stone and concrete for landscaping became the first firm to label its entire range with information about the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent created by extracting and processing raw materials, manufacturing and supplying its products.

Marshallshas carbon labelled

Jay Tee Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome ESTL to Folly Hall Mills, which is a tremendous development for Huddersfield.

“It will involve significant regeneration of the riverside area, creating new employment opportunities and raising the profile of Huddersfield as a major office destination in the region.

ESTL’s move is a superb endorsement of the development.

“Altogether there is 40,000sq ft of prime office space left in the main mill over five floors, which can be leased or bought. This space can be divided into office units from 2,000sq ft upwards.

We feel they will prove very attractive to professional services firms of all sizes, as well as to the public sector.”

The joint agents for the scheme are Eddisons and Michael Steel and Co. Huddersfield-based architects Above & Beyond have already taken two floors in the smaller of the two mills, having relocated from the nearby Huddersfield Media Centre.

Folly Hall, which was originally built in 1844 and operated as a textile mill until 1982.

more than 500 products in its domestic range – the largest amount of products anywhere in the world.

Marketing director Chris Harrop said: “Winning this award means a great deal to Marshalls.

“We take our commitment to sustainability very seriously and strongly that every business should make an active contribution to society.”

CONFIDENCE in property is returning, an estate agency has claimed.

Eddisons, which has offices in Huddersfield, reported “renewed buyconfidence” at its latest property auction held in Leeds.

Out of 90 lots offered, 69 attracted buyers – generating total revenue exceeding £3.6m.

Auctioneer Tony Webber said the response was good, given the success of Eddisons’ February auction.

Said Mr Webber: “It was always going to be difficult to repeat the success of the February auction where the number of lots sold achieved unprecedented levels.

“I think what we saw was a slight calming down of the market, although the busy room and keen bidding on a number of lots continues to indicate investor confidence in the property market as opposed to financial institutions.”

Highlights of the sale included a parcel of land measuring more than two acres at Red Deer Park, Grange Moor, which sold for £40,000 off a guide price of just £5,000 plus.

A group of eight apargtments near Lister Park, Bradford, producing gross annual income of £44,100 sold for £325,000.

And twe tenanted shops with

upper floors producing a current passing rent of £13,500 a year at Gillygate, York, raised £170,000 off a guide price of £150,000 plus.

Said Mr Webber: “The success of any auction depends on a number of factors, not least the type of the lots on offer.

“Even with no stand-out lots, buyers clearly felt that there were plenty which represented good value and were prepared to pay accordingly.”

NATIONAL commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton has completed the project management of a major refurbishment project at a prestigious riverside office building in Leeds city centre.

Following the expiry of a number of leases, LSH’s Leeds office was instructed by landlord KeyLand Developments, the property development business of Kelda

Group, to refurbish several suites at No 2 The Embankment, Sovereign Street, ready for re-letting.

James Smithies, of KeyLand Developments, said: “As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kelda Group, KeyLand's responsibility is to manage the head lease on No 2 The Embankment following the relocation of the group's head office functions to Bradford in 2001.”

Tony Webber, of Eddisons

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

014 8 4 4 3 2 0 4 3

Contact Jason Metcalfe or Mark Hanson

01484 432043 The Old Gatehouse 68 New North Road

Industrial

Offices

Offices

Offices

Ashley Industrial Estate Leeds Road Huddersfield

Oakwood House Edgerton Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Park Valley Mills Meltham Road Huddersfield

Aspin House Off Leeds Road Huddersfield

TO LET

FOR SALE

TO LET

TO LET

748 – 2,031 sq ft

5,175 sq ft

4,655 sq ft

2,174 to 10,354 sq ft

Modern trade counter/warehouse units Exceptionally busy location fronting Leeds Road A62 Within 1 mile of junction 25 M62

Period detached offices in beautiful grounds Planning permission for conversion to one residence Within 1 mile of junction 24 M62 Joint agent Collins Commercial

Newly refurbished open plan offices Tranquil setting with ample on site car parking Air conditioning and DDA compliance

Joint agent Michael Steel & Co

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Newly refurbished offices Leeds Road corridor location Within 1 mile of junction 25 M62

Huddersfield HD1 5NE

KIRKLEES

TOWN TALK Sean Jarvis

ASTER is always a busy period for us, E so for this week I wanted to catch up on what’s being going on at the Club.

I am sure by now you will have noticed the new name on the front of our shirts next season -– The Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

This represents a major departure form the norm for us. Usually, we would have a commercial partner on the front of the shirts however at the end of last year we decided that it would be something different and new for the Club, to follow suit with the likes of Aston Villa and Barcelona and have a charity on the front of the shirts.

To provide a bit of clarity to our partnership, in simple for every £1 raised through our combined “Keep It Up” campaign – it costs £7,200 a day to keep the two helicopters in the air! – 50p will go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and 50p will go towards our Academy and continue to build grass roots football.

There are a number of ways supporters can contribute and over the coming 12 months there will be some additional ones that in some way shape of form our supporters can get involved.

For example, one that we will officially launch on the last game of the season will be our recycling campaign.

In agreement with Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Bag It Up (the company that runs the recycling) at every recycling point in Huddersfield the Keep It Up campaign will receive income based on the garments recycled.

To keep in touch with what is going on with the Keep It Up Campaign, log on to the official w e b s i t e a t w w w. h t a f c . c o m o r www.keepitup.org.uk.

I would also like to use my column to welcome Thornton and Ross (owners of Radian B) to the Huddersfield Town family. It is great to have such a fantastic local company involved and of course have a national brand on the front of our away shirts. Thornton and Ross are a great family company with some terrific people (including some passionate Town fans).

I also want to thank all of the comments from our supporters that we have received over the 2009/2010 season ticket brochure. The team here are very proud of the literature and rightly so. Again I think this demonstrates how we are “upping our game”.

One of the interesting responses we have had so far has been the take up to the new White Rose Club. Already in the space of a few days we have had a 10% increase in new people wishing to go into the new White Rose Club – which provides access to the lounge and one of the best seats in the house. So it you are considering an upgrade for the season it may pay to take a closer look at the White Rose!

As many of you will know we will be running the Awards ceremony this year. This has been a difficult decision, but we all feel now is the time to take it to the next level. For the record the Club and HTSA did a lot of investigation to find a large enough venue to cater for 500 to 1,000 people. After six months of searching we kept coming to a blind alley as costs were too prohibitive. Consequently we needed to make a decision and hold the ceremony at the stadium as that proved to be the best option. I would also like to take the opportunity in my notes to thank the Hargreaves and Kaminski families for their support of the awards too.

Sean Jarvis is director of business development at Huddersfield Town

n CLUBBING TOGETHER: Sean Jarvis (second left), of Huddersfield town with (from left) Helen O'Sullivan, Simon Rogers and Alex Elliott, of KNH

Town backing discount card

HUDDERSFIELD Town has teamed up with Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing – to provide council tenants and leaseholders with exclusive offers from the football club.

Town is the latest organisation to join KNH’s Excel discount card scheme, which enables qualifying council tenants and leaseholders to save money on goods and services available from businesses across Kirklees.

The discount card – the first of its kind in the country – was developed by KNH staff and tenants’ representatives and launched in 2007.

Since then, more than 260 local businesses have joined the scheme.

People qualifying for the card receives a brochure listing all the businesses and discounts – which now includes “Buy One Get One Free” offers on selected match day tickets and free printing on

newly-bought shirts from Huddersfield Town.

The club is also sponsoring other elements of KNH Excel, including its schools citizenship project, KNH Kids.

Sean Jarvis, Town director of business development, said: “This is a fantastic relationship that is a slight departure from our usual commercial deals.

“Essentially, it is Huddersfield Town giving something of value back to the community – particularly the ticket deal which we hope will give people that have not been down to see us yet an opportunity to do so.

“We are also confident from a commercial perspective that we will be able to attract some of the businesses already involved in the scheme to become involved at the club.”

KNH chief executive Simon Rogers said: “I’m very pleased that Huddersfield Town have

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to help manufacturers across Kirklees combat recession.

The three-month campaign, called Manufacturing: Your Future, has been launched by employers’ body the EEF to provide Yorkshire firms with advice on key topics during the downturn.

Companies will be given advice on redundancy and its alternatives – including changing working hours and practices to help retain staff. if job losses are inevit-

teamed up with KNH Excel.

“The club is making a very generous contribution to our discount card scheme, but they’re also supporting us in our wider mission, which is to help create s u c c e s s f u l c o m mu n i t i e s i n Kirklees.

“It’s a fantastic partnership for all involved, but especially for our tenants and leaseholders who will benefit from the new offers.”

Town supporter and Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman is also a keen backer of the card and the ideas behind it.

The Labour MP said: “Now, more than ever, it’s vital that the public and private sectors work together to support local economies.

“The KNH discount card is a terrific example of this kind of partnership working and it’s a scheme that could well benefit other regions.”

able, there is advice to firms on protecting skills and bouncing back when the recovery comes along.

The campaign also offers advice on energy efficiency and how to negotiate better deals from energy suppliers.

And it aims to help firms become more competitive with advice on cutting costs,innovation and diversification.

EEF Yorkshire director Alan Hall said: “Manufacturing output is forecast to fall by 8.6% this year.

TWO directors of a Huddersfield design and branding agency have been listed in a top reference book.

Jill Peel and David Worthington, of Bradley-based 10 Associates, feature in the Who’s Who of Britain’s Business Elite 2009, which will be published in May. The book identifies the directors of Britain's fastest -growing companies.

Their success comes as 10 Associates celebrates five years in business.

The company provides branding, consultancy, digital and online design services, adver tising, packaging, literature, direct mail and exhibitions for clients ranging from local companies such as Standard Fireworks and Rowan Yarns to BhS, Bulmers and wallpaper brand Graham & Brown.

T h e b o o k , p u blished by Who’s Who Publications, ranks the UK’s top 1% of companies in terms of growth of shareholders’ funds. The measurement takes into account directors’ salaries and dividend to shareholders as well as how the directors are investing in their business.

Said David: “We are very fortunate to be in this position during these testing times.

We would like to thank ever yone tha t has trusted us to deliver their creative requirements over the last five exciting years.

There is no substitute for sheer hard work and determination.”

“But despite this gloomy outlook, we believe Yorkshire’s manufacturers – toughened by adversity – will rise to the challenge, finding new ways to diversify, innovate and add value.

“Yorkshire manufacturing will ride out this recession, as it has others. And we’ll be there to help.”

The first phase of the campaign is a special seminar on April 29 in Sheffield.

Guidance sheets are also available at www.manufacturingyourfuture. co.uk

WE BRING BUSINESS FACE TO FACE WITH BUSINESS

Burden gets heavier for businesses

n UPBEAT: Conductor, Natalia Luis-Bassa hands her baton to Linthwaite businessman Paul Mulcock, who is sponsoring her for the Huddersfield Philharmonic season

A COLNE Valley company has struck a chord with one of Huddersfield’s leading musical organisations.

Broad Oak Solutions, a headhunting agency helping firms recruit top level personnel, has sealed an unusual deal to sponsor Venezuelan-born Natalia Luis-Bassa, principal conductor of Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra.

Natalia, who was one of the conductors helping celebrities take up the baton in the BBC television programme Maestro, began her musical

studies at the age of 15 when she studied oboe at the world famous Orquesta Juvenil de Venezuela.

Winner of the Elgar Society Prize, she has also worked in the UK and abroad with orchestras based in Bolivia, Scotland, India and Oman.

Executive search expert Paul Mulcock, who heads Broak Oak Solutions and is vice-president of the Huddersfield Philharmonic Society, said he had sdecided to sponsor Natalia to show other companies in the town how they

could benefit from supporting local organisations.

He said: “The orchestra has only survived for 162 years by getting people to support it.

“I know markets are tough, but local companies can get something back by supporting their communities. I only hope my business lasts as long as the Phil!”

Mr Mulcocka graduate of Huddersfield University, has more than 20 years experience in the sector.

RED tape and regulation is costing Yorkshire firms more money than ever, a Kirklees-based business group said.

The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the total cost of more than 100 regulations introduced since 1998 was costing firms in Yorkshire was £5.7bn.

Nationally, the total stands at £76.8bn, according to the latest British Chambers of Commerce Burdens Barometer.

The report said the total cumulate cost of £76.8bn compared with £65.9bn last year and £55.6bn in 2007.

The total for 2001 was just £10bn.

However, it also said that 18 specific regulations introduced since 1998 had brought total savings of £1.4bn.

The report said: “The fact remains that despite three Acts of Parliament designed to reduce the regulatory impact, the increase in the cost of regulation continues relentlessly.

“In 2007/08, companies were hit with 19 new regula-

tions costing them £2.1bn.”

Steven Leigh, policy spokesman for the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire chamber, said it was “disappointing” that almost 70% of those regulations originat e d i n t h e E u ro p e a n Union.

“There is no doubt about the good intentions of all political parties in trying to reduce the costly burden of red tape,” he said. “However, despite this, costs continue to rise.

“Many of the regulations must remain in place – and previous efforts to rationalise and simplify legislation have actually caused much more cost and complication than anticipated.”

Said Mr Leigh: “It is ironic that amid all this costly bureaucracy, the recent regulations affecting the banking sector proved to be so ineffectual. No doubt the Government is hard at work framing new regulations which will ensure that there can never again be such an economic debacle arising from inadequate regulation of the banking system.

Workers scared of being off sick Redundancy Advice Services.

Call Neil Wilson on 01484 519 999

www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk

Huddersfield | Leeds | Wakefield | Halifax | Dewsbury

ONE in three Yorkshire workers are so worried about losing their jobs that they won’t take time off sick, it is claimed.

A poll for company health plan provider LHF said people in the region were putting their health at risk by reporting for work when genuinely poorly.

More than half of workers in manufacturing, transport and utilities said they feared that taking just one day off

would make them more of a target in the event of their bosses seeking redundancies.

In comparison, fewer than 20% of workers in Scotland and the south-west worried that being off work ill would increase the chances of them losing their jobs.

Raman Sanakaran, a director of Leeds-based health plan provider LHF, said: “Today’s competitive and pressured working environ-

ment has made it difficult for anyone to speak up about an illness or take time off.

“But employees should not be made to feel that they have to put their health at risk to save their job.”

He said: “Schemes such as flexible working hours should be introduced in the workplace to allow people who are sick to return to work when they feel fit, ensuring they recover more quickly.”

Published by Trinity Mirror Huddersfield Ltd, PO Box A26, Queen Street South, Huddersfield HD1 2TD. Printed by Trinity Mirror Printing Oldham Ltd, Hollinwood Avenue, Oldham. OL9 8EP. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office.