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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Uni service that’s made to measure! MANUFACTURERS are getting the measure of a new facility at Huddersfield University. The university has linked into the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) by opening a new measurement services facility as part of its acclaimed Centre for Precision Technologies. The decision to site the measurement service at the CPL reflects its standing in such areas as metrology, precision engineering and the calibration of machine tools. The official opening of the facility took place as part of the university’s 2010 research festival. A day-long series of events included presentations from representatives of the university, the NPL, the Manufacturing Technologies Association and Rolls Royce. Topics included the challenges facing UK manufacturers – and a reminder that academic research had a vital role to play in the real world. Dr Brian Bowsher, managing director of the NPL, said the link-up with the university had worked well. He said: “We have had great interaction with key industries in the area and
have developed a number of common appointments here at Huddersfield. “The way it’s going has been very positive indeed and a very good example of how NPL is working not just in London, but throughout country as a whole.” The new facility allows Huddersfield University and its CPL team to carry out measurement of highly complex surfaces such as turbine blades. The technology includes laser-trace equipment that can be taken on-site to calibrate large and complex machine tools – meaning a procedure that might have taken fortnight can now be accomplished in a few days. The CPT also encompasses the Engineering Control and Machine Performance Group (ECMPG), which is regularly recruited for major Europe-wide projects as well as working in the UK and the USA. The ECMPG, led by university’s Alan Myers, has also been approached by a consortium of 11 organisations to join a new European funded research project which aims to make big improvements in machine tool accuracy.
Mr Tomlinson bought Ginetta in 2005 and has pushed the sports car maker to new levels – with three highly successful one-make championships and the GT winning G50 which has beaten the likes of Aston Martin. Farbio, formed in 2005 by ex-racing driver Chris Marsh, makes the Farbio
Architects get credit A SWEDISH bank has engaged a Huddersfield architect firm to design the interiors for two of its branches in the UK. Above & Beyond, based at Folly Hall, has designed the interior of the Handelsbanken offices in Leeds and York – utilising its corporate colours, light oaks and glass to form a light environment.
● Full story - Page 5
■ PRECISE: Huddersfield University vice-chancellor Prof Bob Cryan (left) with (from left) Alan Myers and Prof Liam Blunt, of the Centre For Precison Technologies, and National Physical Laboratory director Dr Brian Bowsher
Senior research fellow Dr Simon Fletcher was put in charge of the vital first stage of the scheme. He was unanimously chosen for the role at the first meeting of the consor-
tium, whose members include the major Italian engineering firm Alesamonti, the University of Southern Switzerland and the Italian National Measurement Institute.
Batley boss moves up a gear with takeover B A T L E Y- b o r n b u s i n e s s m a n Lawrence Tomlinson has put his sports car company in the fast lane with a speedy takeover. The chairman of Leeds-based Ginetta has bought supercar manufacturer Farbio Sports Cars in a deal to benefit both firms.
INSIDE
GTS and enhanced performance models the GTS350 and GTS400 at its facility in Bath. The car’s unique selling point is its ground-breaking carbon fibre body which ensures that the vehicles are lighter than an average Ford Fiesta at just 1,048 kg.
Bringing together the Ginetta and Farbio marques is expected to add to the global presence of the automotive group. Mr Tomlinson said: “I am very confident that bringing Farbio under the Ginetta marque will be an incredibly positive move.”
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Upper decking Caravan sites are getting decked out – thanks to a Huddersfield firm. Slaithwaite-based Colne Valley Decking and Fencing is in big demand at holiday parks across North Wales.
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Build Center leads list of firms for sale PLUMBING and heating giant Wolseley said its UK Build Center chain is one of 19 businesses being earmarked for potential sale after a group-wide review. Its Build Center builders’ merchant arm in the UK includes a branch at Willow Lane in Huddersfield and has 160 outlets in total employing 1,500 staff. Build Center and French plumbing firm Brossette are on the list of firms identified as under-performing. The 19 firms account for 19% of group revenue and 5% of trading profit. Wolseley said it will seek to improve performance before deciding to keep them or put them up for sale. The move comes as part of an overhaul being led by recently-hired chief executive Ian Meakins. The shake-up will reverse the group’s previous acquisitive strategy – opt-
ing instead to “operate fewer, larger, related businesses in core geographies”. The group’s other 22 divisions have been singled out as “growth engines” or “synergy drivers” where resources will be focused. News of the review results come as Wolseley reported a near-halving of interim losses to £261m in the six months to January 31 from £464m a year earlier after swingeing job cuts. It confirmed more stable trading conditions, but results also revealed ongoing challenges, with trading profit down 34% in the half-year and revenues falling by 15%. Reading-based Wolseley, which also trades as Plumb Center and owns the bathroom specialist Bathstore – both with outlets in Huddersfield – said further cost cutting in the half-year claimed more than
Profits fizz for Irn-Bru maker SOFT drinks firm AG Barr reported a 20.8% jump in profits as consumers kept their taste for its iconic Irn-Bru. The Cumbernauld-based company, which also makes St Clements, Tizer and Rubicon fruit juice, posted underlying pre-tax profits of £27.9m in the year to January 30. Barr said it had “substantially outperformed the UK soft drinks market” – with turnover up by 18.7% to £201.4m, while like-for-like sales grew by 10.6%. It said the new financial year had started well with sales ahead of 2009, but warned of challenges in
the general economic outlook. Barr, which has produced Irn-Bru to a secret recipe for more than 130 years, said revenues from the brand increased by 5% last year, helped by strong growth in England and Wales. Sporting sponsorships helped propel Barr’s key soft drink – with links to the Scottish Football League and Rugby League in England complementing a boost to general marketing spending. Overall, the firm said it beat the wider UK soft drinks market, which grew by 1% in volume terms and 2% in value over the period.
1,900 jobs, including 745 in the UK, on top of the 10,000 shed the previous year. Mr Meakins launched the strategy review after joining last July to help turn the business around following a torrid period. Wolseley shares fell by 2% or 34p to 1586p yesterday, despite further signs of better trading. The group said it improved market share across most divisions in the half-year and eased like-for-like sales declines, helped by weaker comparatives. The US division, accounting for 43% of group revenues, saw declines in the Ferguson plumbing and heating chain improve to 18% from 22.6% in the previous six months. The UK ar m recorded a like-for-like sales fall of 4% compared with 13.1% at the end of the last financial year.
■ REVIEW: Ian Meakin, Wolseley chief executive, is leading a shake-up of the merchanting group
Failure rate falls THE number of companies declared insolvent fell in February, a report has revealed. A total of 1,834 firms were into insolvency during the month – 15% fewer than in February last year, according to business information services group Experian. The group said the fall brought the overall rate of insolvencies down from 0.11% to 0.1%. But it added that this was an increase on January’s insolvency rate of 0.08%, although January is typically a quiet month for insolvencies. Rolf Hickmann, managing director of pH, an Experian company, mid-sized companies had been worst hit. The north-east suffered from the highest rate of insolvencies, with 0.15% of businesses in the region failing during the month.
Forth set to meet bidders Sweeter for Glisten THE UK’s biggest listed ports operator said it would meet with a bidding consortium after rejecting two takeover approaches. Edinburgh-based Forth Ports has agreed to meet with its suitors “in their capacity as shareholders” following news earlier this month of a £612m takeover approach by a group of major shareholders. It also reported full-year figures showing a return to the black in 2009 – with pre-tax profits of £36.3m against losses of £30.7m in 2008. On an underlying basis, profits fell from £36.3m to £33.2m.
Forth Ports owns seven UK ports, including Tilbury in London, Scotland’s largest container port at Grangemouth and Leith in Edinburgh. The group has seen shares leap ahead after revealing takeover interest two weeks ago. It rejected an improved 1340p a share proposal from a consortium which currently owns 27.4% of Forth’s shares, following an initial approach in January. The group said that after consulting its financial and corporate broking advisers, it was felt the proposals fell far short of the value of Forth Ports.
SNACKS firm Glisten posted a 12% rise in half-year profits in its last update before being taken over by Benecol maker Raisio. The company, which holds the UK rights to make SunMaid raisins and Weightwatchers products, lifted pre-tax profits to £2.22m in the six months to December 31, from £1.98m the previous year.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £27.18 +0.47 Gannett 1069.61 +5.96 Hess Corp £40.64 +0.11 Microsoft 1955.76 -3.97 Motors Liquidation 49.67 Wal-Mart Stores £36.82 +0.17 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 811/2 BAE Systems 3883/4 +31/8 Rolls-Royce Gp 5981/2 -21/2 VT Group 690 +31/2 AIM Brady Plc 661/2 -1 Dawson Intl 21/2 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 131 +65/8 BANKS Barclays 3535/8 -4 -17/8 HSBC 6781/8 1 Lloyds Banking Gp 61 /8 +1 -1/4 Ryl Scotland 433/4 Stan Chart 1756 -141/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1100 +8 SABMiller 1951 +7 CHEMICALS Croda 932 +15 Elementis 98 54 Johnsn Mat 1745 -2 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2821/4 -21/4 Costain 25 -3/4 ELECTRICITY Drax Grp 3597/8 -33/8 Intl Power 3235/8 +1/8
Scottish & Sthrn 1095 -7 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 2073/4 -31/4 Laird 1277/8 +7/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3395/8 -3/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1225/8 -11/2 C&W 1481/4 1 Colt Telecom 133 /2 -1/2 KCOM 443/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2943/4 -25/8 Sainsbury 3291/4 -37/8 3 Tesco 436 /4 -21/2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 9631/2 +3 Nth Foods 571/8 -1/4 Tate Lyle 4483/4 -31/2 Unilever 1940 -5 Uniq 24 -1/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 289 -17/8 National Grid 639 -1 1 Pennon Grp 520 /2 -21/2 Severn 1198 -8 United Utils 553 -61/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2913/8 -11/4 ICAP 3813/8 -101/8 1 London StockExch 735 /2 -41/2 Man Group 2423/4 -11/4 Provident Financial 8701/2 +141/2 Schroders 1398 +3 Schroders NV 1125 -5 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS
Cooksn Grp 539 -1 REXAM 294 +21/4 Smiths Grp 1127 +27 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 13 +3/4 DSG International 351/8 Home Retail 2817/8 -11/2 Inchcape 295/8 -1/4 Kingfisher 233 +11/2 M&S 355 -11/2 Mothercare 623 +1 3 Next £20 /4 WH Smith 4653/8 -13/4 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 678 +81/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 117 -23/4 Barrat Dev 1241/4 -3 3 Persimmon 456 /4 -3/4 3 Reckitt Benckiser £35 /4 +1/8 Taylor Wimpey 387/8 -3/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 748 -21/2 Delta 1921/2 -13/4 IMI 6471/2 +5 1 Man Brnze 84 /2 -1 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 3103/8 -15/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 192 +1 Forth Ports 1397 +7 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3991/4 -13/4 Lgl & Gen 811/4 -11/4 Old Mutual 1253/4 -3/4 Prudential 5261/2 -61/2 Resolution 74
Standard Life
206 MEDIA BSkyB 5881/2 Chrysalis 1041/2 D Mail Tst 480 ITV 533/4 Johnston Press 271/4 Pearson 996 Reed Elsevier 5011/2 STV Group 501/4 Trinity Mirror 1467/8 Utd Business 536 UTV 1081/2 WPP 640 Yell Group 373/4 MINING Anglo American £267/8 Antofagasta 1000 BHP Billiton £22 Eurasian Natural 1150 Res Fresnillo 830 Kazakhmys 1476 Lonmin 1982 Rio Tinto £371/4 VEDANTA £263/8 RESOURCES Xstrata 1141 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 772 Vodafone Group 1477/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1285 RSA Insurance Gp 1263/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 11801/2 BP 6293/4 Cairn Energy 3783/4
-15/8 -1/2 -13/4 -31/4 -1/2 -3/4 -4 +21/4 +1/2 -13/4 -4 -21/2 -41/2 -1/2 +1/4 +31/2 +1/8 -10
Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Marshalls National Grid Rensburg Sheppards Weir Gp
155 141/4 931/4 639 605
-11/2 -1 -15
9431/2
+61/2
FTSE closed at
5644.5 Down 5.5 1
+3 -7 -9 +5/8 +1/8 -2 +1/2 -1/4 +5 -3/8 -22 -51/4 -51/4
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Norsk Hdro 467 /8 + /8 Royal Dutch Shell A 1930 -15 Royal Dutch Shell B 1844 -11 Total £381/8 Tullow Oil 1239 -25 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 7601/2 -4 Petrofac 1186 +1 -83/4 Wood Group 3731/4 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 710 +41/2 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £293/4 +1/4 Axis-Shield 395 +13/4 GlaxoSmithK XD 71/2 Shire 1481 +11 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4631/8 -103/4
DTZ Hldgs 751/4 +1/4 Hamrsn 3833/8 -33/4 Land Secs 672 -3 SEGRO 317 -13/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1813 -23 -1/2 Dimension Data 937/8 Invensys 3423/8 +5 3 -1/8 Logica 125 /4 Misys 2435/8 -1/8 1 Sage Group 247 /8 -3/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Bunzl 7341/2 -2 +7 Capita 7561/2 -33/4 Davis Service 4071/2 Group De La Rue 940 +31/2 Electrocomp 2141/4 +23/8 1 Experian 646 /2 -5 7 G4S 261 /8 +1/4 Hays 106 +1/2 Homeserve 1754 +48 +31/2 Menzies J 3431/2 7 Rentokil 128 /8 +3/8 Smiths News 117 +4 Wolseley 1586 -34 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 2261/2 +13/8 Psion 88 1 +3/8 Spirent Comms 120 /8 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £225/8 +3/8 Imperial Tobacco £201/2 +1/4 LEISURE & HOTELS Arriva 716 +101/2 Brit Airways 241 -21/2 Carnival £263/8 -1/8 Compass Grp 507 +41/2
easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Greene King Intercontl Htls Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express PartyGaming Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread
4483/4 1221/2 376 1431 4331/4 1019 1495/8 2921/8 220 315 1127/8 1867/8 2943/4 1528
+25/8 -25/8 -41/4 -40 +27/8 -11/4 +11/8 -17/8 -71/4 -1/8 -51/8 -13/4 -12
FTSE 100
INDEX 5644.54
-5.58
FTSE 250
INDEX 9991.92
-27.85
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.55 dollars Bangladesh................... 97.63 taka Brazil.............................. 2.41 reals Canada....................... 1.45 dollars China ............................. 9.12 yuan Czech Republic ...... 25.81 korunas Denmark....................... 7.83 krone Euro............................... 1.06 euro Hong Kong................ 11.01 dollars Hungary................... 261.73 forints India.......................... 59.94 rupees Japan........................... 128.89 yen Mexico ....................... 16.76 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.97 dollars Norway ......................... 8.46 krone Pakistan.................. 118.57 rupees Philippines ................. 58.46 pesos South Africa................. 10.26 rand South Korea.............. 1479.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 160.94 rupees Sweden....................... 10.27 krona Switzerland.................. 1.51 francs Taiwan ...................... 41.49 dollars Turkey....................... 2.18 new lira USA ............................ 1.43 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Football fan Dean has new goals! AS a footballer, Dean Horn’s career highlight came on the hallowed turf at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium. Playing for Shepley FC in the Barlow Cup final, he scored the winning goal in the last minute of extra time to clinch the title with a 2-1 victory against New Mill in 2006. Now the self-confessed football-crazy 35-year-old is making a name for himself as a football agent – with the aims of representing high-profile professional footballers and helping to discover and nurture the Wayne Rooneys and David Beckhams of the future. Dean had 13 years experience in retail and sales management before taking the advice of a friend and seeking a new career. He says: I still play for Shepley, where I am player-coach, but I realised I wasn’t good enough to be a professional footballer, so I decided to get involved in the game in a different way. “I decided to get myself an education, so I studied business law at Huddersfield University, where they were so helpful in guiding me. Then, I studied to be a barrister and went to bar school. I was called to the bar in 2008 at Lincoln’s Inn.” Dean sat the FA football agent exam in March last year and in April became a players’ agent licensed by the Football Association with full professional indemnity insurance. Now he works with clubs, football scouts and coaches to seek out promising young players and represent them in contract negotiations with prospective clubs – as well as helping them in other areas of their life such as life coaching, sponsorship, sports psychology and financial management. Says Dean: “Being a football agent is a lot like
any business, but it is completely ‘contact-based’. You pick up the phone and make lots of calls.” Dean receives footage of players from coaches and scouts and watches games himself – focusing on non-league clubs and international lower league sides. “I receive 150 emails a week about players I’m being asked to look at – but maybe only five of them will be worth going to watch,” says Dean. “I compile players’ CVs with the information clubs need –how many goals they score, how many appearances and how many ‘assists’. “It is a long week’s work for potentially no or little reward.” However, less than a year into his new career, Dean now has 10 players on the books – and is hoping for huge things from his star signing, Egyptian international Hany Said, who has attracted interest from a number of English clubs after impressing during the recent England v Egypt game. In this case, Dean’s vital contact was UEFA coach and former Egyptian international Tarek Hassan, who knew most of the current Egyptian side. “He suggested we join up and talk to some of the players,” says Dean. “We arranged a meeting while they were in London.” The end result was agreeing a two-year representative contract with centre-half Hany Said, who has more than 50 caps for his country. “I was never going to get such an opportunity,” says Dean. “I believe I earned that opportunity with the work I put in.” Dean realises that football agents are not held in high esteem by supporters or club chairmen, but insists: “There is room in the game
for an ethical agent, who does what is right for the player. “About 30% of agents are ex-players, who know footballers and have contacts, but whose business knowledge may leave a lot to be desired. About 1% of agents are what you might call ‘wide boys’ who are into self-promotion, but don’t have the contacts or the qualifications. “Then there are people like me, who love the game, play the game and understand the game, but also have a business head on their shoulders.” Dean certainly knows what to look for in a player – and it’s not just about ability. “My role models are players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who demonstrate loyalty to their club, hard work and commitment,” he says. “A lot of players have become mercenaries – that’s why you get more loan deals and more short-term contracts because clubs don’t trust them to stay. “Apart from the Ronaldos of this world, footballers are very similar in terms of quality and ability. What it comes down to is how much commitment and
■ BOOKED: Football agent Dean Horn takes an ethical approach
Page 3 Dean Horn
dedication do they show? Do they look after themselves mentally and physically. “As an agent researching players of the right calibre, I know that it doesn’t matter to the manager whether or not their marriage is in difficulties or what messages they are caught texting – it’s the ability to step over the white line and do the job on the football field week in and week out that counts..” Says Dean: “The secret of researching a player is to look at the footballer rather than the stats. What is he doing when the team are 3-0 down? Is he digging in and still making the tackles? If he’s out of the team, is he still working hard in training to get back in?” Dean has little time for players who squander their opportunities. “Footballers at most levels of the game are earning enough money to have a nice living out of the game,” he says. “As someone who had the desire to play the game myself, I find it frustrating when a player cannot commit to that period of their lives – 12 to 15 years in most cases – and give it a real go.” As a younger man, Dean had the opportunity to train with Town’s apprentices as one of the finalists in a Search for a Star competition run by the club. He got down to the last five. That experience also impressed on him the need for young players to get qualifications such as GCSEs and A-levels to help them pursue other careers if they fail to realise their footballing dream. Dean works with Brook House Academy in Leicestershire – a sort of boarding school for footballers where students take academic lessons in the mornings and get coached in football during
the afternoons. He also provides life coaching for people outside football to help their self-development or careers. “The recession has provided some people with an opportunity,” says Dean. “People who are out of work – made redundant from jobs they didn’t want to be in – can turn things around, look at what they really want to do as their dream job and go for it.”
Role: Independent football agent Age: 35 Family: Married to Samantha Holidays: Ibiza Car: Golf TDi First job: Ink chemist at Hillbrook Printing Best thing about job: Getting to watch football every day!T Worst thing about job: FA administrative requirements can be time consuming and very dull Business tip: Do whatever you want, but be prepared to put in the hours Work: Football agent and life coach Site: Almondbury Phone: 01484 328587 Email: deanhornfootball agent@gmail.com or contactdean horn@gmail.com
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KIRKLEES BUSIN
Cafe owner takes a slice of city life BUSINESSMAN Richard Downey is expanding his restaurant interests with an acquisition in South Yorkshire. Richard, who owns the Rock Cafe in Victoria Lane, Huddersfield, has acquired the anchor unit at Leopold Square in Sheffield to expand his leisure operation. Funding for the acquisition came from NatWest and the South Yorkshire Investment Fund. Work on the site starts in May and the 3,500sq ft new-built unit is due to open in September. Said Richard: “The building is unique. It’s glazed from floor to ceiling, really bright and airy and a great space to work with. “The bar and grill will have an island bar with zinc bar top and an imported tin ceiling brought in for the United States. “Pianists will play from 5pm to 9pm on a baby grand piano and a cocktail menu with a choice of over 200 cocktails will be available.” The venue will serve mainly British dishes and seafood with an accent on fresh and locally sourced produce – with old favourites like bangers and mash, fish and chips, line-caught same-day Whitby scampi and a range of chargrilled steaks. “We’re going mid-market in Sheffield,” said Richard. “We saw a gap in the market in the city centre for a venue and music policy aimed at a slightly more mature clientele who aspire to something a little better. “We’ve been negotiating the deal since 2008. At first, the landlords wouldn’t split the building and we went back six months later and they gave in and said ‘yes’.
“There are some real opportunities out there at the moment in terms of good locations and for the first time in a long time the landlords have to sit down and really negotiate terms.” Said Richard: “Being the last into a great square like Leopold has its advantages. “We already know what’s there and what is missing. For instance, there are three Italian restaurants, a Spanish tapas and a Wagamama noodles bar. “You can’t get traditional British food and no one is doing the music policy stuff that we know – and that has taken years for us to perfect! We’re hoping to take Sheffield by storm!” Richard has recruited Christian Adams, head cocktail barman at the Living Room in Leeds, to oversee staff training and procurement.
■ RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Richard Downey (above, left) , who owns the Rock Cafe in Victoria Lane, Huddersfield, has acquired the anchor unit (pictured) at Leopold Square in Sheffield to expand his leisure operation
Law firm targets 33% growth rate
■ TEAM PICTURE: TheSwitalskis medical negligence team comprising (from left) Lisa Mann, Sarah Tipton Walker, Michelle Oldroyd, Jim Gladman, Claire Garrity and Charlotte Reeves
A LAW firm with offices in Huddersfield is ending the current financial year on a high – after setting in motion plans to achieve 33% growth during the next 12 months. Switalskis Solicitors, which has a branch at New Street, secured £1m funding from Royal Bank of Scotland last October. Since then, the firm has recruited almost 30 staff, including a medical negligence team of six from Barnsley-based firm Raleys. The new department will provide services in Huddersfield and across the firm's base of six West Yorkshire offices. Jim Gladman, head of the new medical negligence department, said: “The move to Switalskis has been a positive one for us. “We are delighted to be part of a forward-thinking, award winning
team and look forward to making a real contribution to the firm's growth.” Switalskis managing partner John Durkan, said: “Jim and his team have an excellent reputation in the field of medical negligence work. “The new department is already proving an asset to the firm. “The addition of this and other new services means that now, more than ever, Switalskis clients can find all the help and advice they need under one roof – something that is central to our plans for growth throughout the coming year.” Since January, Switalskis has also added residential conveyancing and employment law to its range of services and now has specialists in 15 different areas of law across West Yorkshire.
Enterprising endeavour WOULD-BE entrepreneurs in Kirklees can find out what it takes to run their own business at a series of free events. Business Link Yorkshire is staging the weekend Enterprise Shows in Leeds, Hull, Sheffield and York, which run from late March to early May. Helen West (pictured), chief executive of Business Link, said: “There are generally two types of people who start businesses – those with a great idea who need to test it out before deciding if it could make money and those who have a sense that they want to run their own business – but haven’t come up with a ‘good idea’ yet. “Once they are at the Enterprise Show, we have all the support to help them find good ideas, research potential markets and put together plans.” The Enterprise Shows 2010 take visitors through the steps of starting and running a business with advice from bankers, accountants, HM Revenue & Customs, business and patent information services and Business Link advisers. Seminars cover start-up topics such as marketing and practical advice from an entrepreneur. The Enterprise Shows 2010 will be held on March 27 and 28 at Millennium Square, Leeds; April 10 and 11 at City Hall, Hull; April 24 and 25 at Meadowhall Coach Park, Meadowhall; and May 8 and 9 at York Racecourse. The shows run from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Register free for a priority ticket at: www.theenterpriseshows.com
They’re under starters orders A BREAKFAST event aims to get Yorkshire companies fit for the economic recovery. The event – Ready, Set, Go! – will be held on Tuesday, March 30, at Thorpe Park Hotel in Leeds to show how businesses across the region can get a head start by motivating talented employees and keeping them on board. The event, organised by Investors in People and supported by Business Link Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward, includes practical tools and tips on how to help organisations improve their results in 2010. Go to www.yhal.org.uk
NESS NEWS
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Decking firm in a holiday mood!
Recycling that packs a bigger punch
A FIRM in Huddersfield is helping caravanners improve the look of their holiday homes. Colne Valley Decking and Fencing, run by husband and wife David and Joanne Dibb, is in huge demand on caravan sites across North Wales. The Slaithwaite-based company is an approved installer of Sash UK’s Fitrite PVC decking and fencing. The couple launched the business just two years ago – since when they have landed prestigious contracts with leading leisure parks in the principality, including Whitehouse Leisure Park, Gorse Hill Caravan Park, Edwards Leisure Park and Lyons Holiday Parks. Gorse Hill has granted the company an exclusive installers contract for its park in Conwy, while another park, Craig-y-mor is under development in Llanddulas. Whitehouse Leisure Park has chosen Colne Valley Decking and Fencing to carry out installations on its forthcoming residential wooden lodge development in Towyn. Joanne had to give up work about four years ago after being diagnosed with cancer. She said: “I could not do my job because I
A COMPANY supplying wholefoods has it all wrapped up. Elland-based Suma Foods is set to use the most environmentally-friendly packaging available for its range of dried fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, pulses and snacks.. Spokesman Andrew Mackintosh said: “Suma has been wholesaling wholefoods, eco-friendly products and fair trade goods for over three decades and in that time has introduced a number of products which are now accepted as the norm in mainstream grocery. “April 1 sees us introducing another innovation previously unseen in the UK food market. “A recent repackaging exercise led to developments that could fundamentally change recycling in flexible food packaging. “We discovered, through one of our commercial partners, that the same technology that can recycle plastic bottles into more plastic bottles could be applied to flexible food packaging like bags of fruit or nuts. “Not only is the carbon footprint of the process lower than any other packaging medium, but it also means that the packaging itself is 100% recyclable.” The UK creates more than 3m tonnes of plastic waste each year – with an estimated 56% of all plastics waste being derived from packaging, three-quarters of which is from households. It is estimated that only 7% of total plastic waste is currently being recycled. From April, the full range of Suma’s packaged dried fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, pulses and snacks will be in this recycled and fully recyclable packaging, representing more than 250 product lines. Said Mr Mackintosh: “Our customers trust us to make ethical decisions on their behalf and we are confident that this form of packaging has the potential to make a great deal of difference environmentally.”
■ TOP DECK: David and Joanne Dibb (above, left), of Colne Valley Decking and Fencing, and an example of the firm’s work at Gorse Hill Caravan Hill, North Wales
got too tired. Soon after giving up work, I felt useless and worthless and just felt I wanted to do something.” The couple were introduced to the world of PVC decking when they visited Sash UK on route to Cookridge Hospital, where Joanne was receiving treatment. Joanne said: “We looked into PVC decking for our own caravan and I thought: ‘I could do that. It would be a nice pastime to keep me occupied and take my mind off my health problems. “After numerous visits to Sash UK, we decided to give it a go and my ‘little something to do’ went like a rocket. “I spend most of my summer in North Wales running the business while David over-
sees it from Slaithwaite. We employ fitters to install the decks, who worked non-stop all last year.” The company, which has a website at www.colnevalleydecking,co.uk, was given a boost by the recession – as people opting to holiday in Britain to save money decided to improve the look and facilities at their holiday homes. Said Joanne. “I didn’t realise how busy it would be. I was in Wales all summer and we were even working during Christmas week and the first week of the new year. “Now the 2010 season is starting, we are getting lots of enquiries already. We expect to be even busier as we are doing domestic work as well as contracts in Wales.”
All on board for big event TACTICS to get more women into the boardrooms of Britain is the focus of a meeting in West Yorkshire this week. The event, called Journey to the Boardroom, is part of the Women into Leadership series organised by the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering, Technology and the Built Environment in partnership with the West Yorkshire Lifelong Learning Network. Leia Bassett, sector officer for the digital industries for WYLLN –
which is based at Huddersfield University – said that women in leadership and management had always been under-represented in the science, engineering and technology (SET) industries. She said: “The views of women have never been more important, especially in the technology sector where the majority of women use technology every day, even if they don’t occupy ‘techie’ roles. Journey to the Boardroom will be opened by Gillian Arnold, director
of Ag Resourcing – formerly a technical manager at IBM – and a strategic panel member for the British Computer Society. She will be joined on the panel by Janice Scanlon, director of appointments for the NHS Appointments Commission, and Allyson Reid, director of strategy and communications for the Technology Strategy Board. The event will be held on Friday at the Rose Bowl in Leeds. Go to http://www.wylln.ac.uk/Events
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Page 6
Set for auction sale Trophy ALMOST 150 lots come under the hammer when commercial property agent Eddisons stages its latest two-day auction this month. Instructions have been received from a range of organisations, including Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Water, Enterprise Inns, Wakefield Council and various insolvency practitioners. Tony Webber, of Eddisons, said: ‘Retail investments, land,
winner
public houses, industrial ground rents, former school premises, garage investments, tenanted and vacant houses and flats are all well represented and are very much priced to sell.” The two-day sale takes place at noon on Thursday at Leeds United FC, Elland Road, Leeds; and at 1pm next Tuesday at The Fairways Lodge and Leisure Club, Prestwich, Manchester.
A COMPANY providing cladding for property regeneration schemes has won a national award. Meltham-based Structherm was recognised at the Sustain Magazine Awards for its contribution to the refurbishment of the Daneville Estate in Liverpool, which included the extensive use of the firm’s structural insulated cladding system. Marketing director Yvonne Coldwell, who collected the prize on behalf of the firm, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Structherm have won this award. “The external refurbishment work carried out by Hanson Structherm has completely changed the look and feel of the entire estate, with once-void properties now enjoying a 100% take up with a waiting list for houses on the estate.” The awards recognise projects and organisations at the forefront of housing sustainability best practice. They were presented at a special gala dinner attended by more than 450 guests at the first night of Ecobuild at Chelsea Football Club in London. The audience included architects, housing developers, engineers, consultants, housing associations and manufacturers working in the field of sustainability.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGENTS CONSULTANT ADVISOR •
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TRAFALGAR MILLS LEEDS ROAD HUDDERSFIELD HD2 1YY •
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Queens Mill Industrial Estate Queens Mill Road, Huddersfield Units 5, 7 and 19 From 1,775sq ft to 4,966sq ft Modern Industrial Units to Let Ideally located for town centre Terms available on application Contact:
Paul Andrew Walker Singleton 01484 477600
Christine Eccleston MB Services 01484 557102
FOR SALE
Land at Storthes Hall Lane Huddersfield 17.92 hectares (44.28 acres) Green belt land Popular location in Kirkburton
TO LET
Emley Moor Business Park Leys Lane, Emley 125 - 554 m² (1,350 - 5,963 ft²) Modern warehouse/industrial unit RENT REDUCED
TO LET
Hoyer Industrial Park, Leeds Road Huddersfield 335 - 1,731 m² (3,611 - 18,630 ft²) Various industrial units within secure site RENTS REDUCED
64 Raikes Lane, Birstall 0.6 hectares (0.16 acres) Residential development site Planning granted for 9 two bedroom apartments
Contact Jonathan O’Connor on 01484 533151
Leeds, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Glasgow, Huddersfield
Hot properties EIGHTEEN impressive buildings and property schemes in West Yorkshire are set to battle it out for major honours against some of the best property initiatives in the region. The 18 have made it to the shortlist of the 2010 Pro Yorkshire Awards run by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Projects from Wakefield, Bradford, Leeds, Halifax, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge are among the finalists. The RICS in Yorkshire received 77 entries for the awards, which are regarded as the region’s property “Oscars”. After initial judging, 45 schemes have made it to the shortlist – and the chance of lifting one of eight trophies. The regional winners in four of the categories – Building Conservation, Sustainability, Community Benefit and Regeneration – will also go forward to the national RICS Awards, where they compete against other leading projects from across the UK.
Colin Harrop, chairman of the RICS Yorkshire and Humberside judging panel, praised the standard and diversity of entries for the 2010 awards.. He said: “The RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards present an ideal opportunity for the sectors that have been hit hard by the recession to showcase the great work that is underway in the region, despite the poor market conditions. “We were delighted to see the entries pour in. Once again, the tremendous variety and high standard of projects has far exceeded our expectations – which is a true testament to the resilience and excellence of Yorkshire and Humberside’s property and construction professionals.” Judging of the shortlisted awards is now underway, and the winners of the 2010 RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards will be revealed at a special gala dinner held on Friday, May 14, at The Pavilion, Elland Road, Leeds.
Agency is best dealmaker
FOR SALE
eddisons.com
■ PRIZE GIVING: Yvonne Coldwell, of Structherm, receives the award from Stuart Oakes, sales manager, of Stroma Certification at the 2010 Sustain Awards in London
Eddisons
PROPERTY agency Knight Frank has been acclaimed as the most active agency team in the Estate Gazette’s Deals Competition for 2009. The firm’s Leeds and Sheffield offices completed more successful deals in the offices category than any other commercial property agent in Yorkshire last year. Guy Cooke, partner for Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “This is a tremendous coup for Knight Frank in Yorkshire and is a tribute to
everyone’s hard work in these challenging times. “The office market has inevitably been slow as firms look to consolidate rather than expand, but there were deals to be done last year as our record shows, if the location and the strategy were right. “We have great coverage across Yorkshire and Knight Frank is now looking to build on this success.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Designers making a bank statement
A SWEDISH bank has engaged a Huddersfield architect firm to design the interiors for two of its branches in the UK. Above & Beyond, based at Folly Hall, has designed the interior of the Handelsbanken offices in Leeds and York. The design teamed the bank’s corporate colours of blues and greys with light oaks to give a Scandinavian feel as well as lots of glass to create a light and open environment. The interior design specialist was briefed to deliver a “calm, professional environment” for the business bank in each location and worked closely with each branch manager on the development of the design scheme, office layout and fit out of the office space. As Handelsbanken plans to expand further in the UK, Above & Beyond hopes to continue to build on the relationship and help the bank deliver a consistent
brand look across its growing portfolio of branches. Richard Hammond, of Handelsbanken, said: “We were impressed by the way in which Above & Beyond translated our colour palette and corporate values to create a welcoming commercial interior.” Andrew Stoddart, managing director of Above & Beyond, said: “We’re pleased with the relationship we’ve developed with Handlesbanken. “Our clear and open approach to listening to their requirements, together with the teams skill in creatively translating the brief and managing project delivery on site has meant we have achieved positive results. “We hope that after completing these two interiors successfully they will be the first of many as we continue to build the relationship with Handelsbanken further.”
■ CREDIT: Above & Beyond in Huddersfield has designed the interiors for two Handelsbanken branches in Leeds and York
TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION 55 Lockwood Road
Huddersfield
1Prominent showroom/office unit 1130.99m2 (1,410 sq ft) 1Generous car parking provision Rent: £13,000 per annum
■ WELL DONE: GQA external verifier Tom Steel (cente, left) presents certificates to Henry Darko (centre right) and colleagues at Novaglaze Gardner & Newton
They’re a class act! EMPLOYEES at a specialist glass bending company have been presented with NVQ level 2 qualifications. Some 30 members of staff at Novaglaze Gardner & Newton Ltd were presented with certificates by Tom Steel, external verifier for awards body GQA, and Brian Lee, of B a r n s l e y C o l l e g e, w h o assessed the employees. Training undertaken by the Lockwood-based fir m covered topics including health and safety, quality and process improvement. Company director Gary
Smith said: “Highly trained staff are key to a growing business and NGN is wholly committed to providing training to its workforce. “Our staff have produced excellent work and fully deserve the recognition and qualifications.” Other staff members are now working towards gaining the GQA NVQ level 3 qualifications – again with Barnsley College. Novaglaze, which dates back almost 200 years, specialises in supplying curved glass for a variety of applications
and locations, including royal palaces and stately homes as well as airports, hotels and shopping centres. T h e c o m p a ny h a s a 46,000sq ft factory at Queen’s Mill Road, Lockwood, a 16,000sq ft site in east London and a distribution depot in Edinburgh. Last year, Novaglaze gained the ISO 9001:2008 quality certificate and two British Standards Institute kite marks. The company is also donating glass for the conservatory restoration work at Greenhead Park in Huddersfield.
TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION 2 Yates Lane
Milnsbridge, Huddersfield
1First floor offices 140.82m2 (439 sq ft) 1Prominent position within Milnsbridge centre Rent: £85 per week
TO LET
The Coach House & Stoneleigh 39 Halifax Road, Brighouse
1107.88 – 647.24m2 (1,161 – 6,967 sq ft) 1Two detached office buildings 1Open plan & private offices 1w/c’s, kitchen facilities & all mains services 1Sufficient private car parking provision
TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION
8 Cherry Tree Centre
Market Street, Huddersfield
1First floor office suite 163.31m2 (681 sq ft) 1Prominent town centre position Rent: On application
Page 7 Moves to Dewsbury DISCOUNT retailer Poundland has taken a store in Dewsbury. Ravenhill Estates, advised by international real estate advisor Savills, has let units 19-23 at The Princess of Wales Precinct in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire to Poundland. The value retailer has agreed a new 10-year lease on the store, which totals 3,500sq ft and comprises the former Claire’s Accessories and La Senza units as well as the existing Thomas Cook unit. Thomas Cook now moves to a new 1,000sq ft store at the scheme previously occupied by Thorntons. Poundland, will pay an annual rent of £100,000. Austin Baird at Ravenhill Estates, comments: “Securing Poundland has been a major coup for Ravenhill in the current economic climate.” Steve Henderson, at Savills, said the new lettings further underlined the commitment from established retailers to Dewsbury.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Lynda Shackleton
Ramsdens Solicitors LAW firm Ramsdens Solicitors has appointed licensed conveyancer Lynda Shackleton as a partner. Ms Shackleton (pictured) heads the Holmfirth office and has been with the firm since 1997. She has spent the past 13 years with Ramsdens, where she started as a conveyancer in the residential conveyancing department. Speaking about her promotion, she said: “It’s a huge honour to be made partner in Ramsdens and to be allowed to take an active role in the management of the business.” Paul Joyce, managing partner, said: “We welcome the new reforms that aim to make the legal industry more competitive and law firms more transparent. “The Legal Services Act 2007 gives us the freedom to reward talented individuals who would not normally have the opportunity to manage a law firm. “Ramsdens must be one of the first local law firms in the to do this, if not the first. We pride ourselves in being one step ahead in adapting to the changing legal marketplace. “I am confident that Lynda will help drive the business even further and will comfortably rise to the challenges.”
Movers and shakers
Firms join chamber ‘fan club’ MEMBERSHIP has its advantages. That’s the message from the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce as local firms show their support by renewing their membership. The chamber, founded more than 150 years ago to protect and develop the interests of local companies, now represents and supports firms across
Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield. Despite the economic downturn – which has hit the chamber as well as other businesses – local firms have continued to back the organisation. Deborah Melluish, partner at law firm Eaton Smith, said the firm had been a member of the chamber for many years. She said: “We have worked
Clinically approved!
Faye Carter
PROHMS FAYE Carter has been appointed to a business development role with Professional Occupational Health Medical Services in Huddersfield. Ms Carter (pictured) has been working as a technician supporting the organisation’s occupational health contracts team before moving to her new strategic role. Ms Carter, who holds a management in occupational health qualification, said: “I’ve always wanted to work in occupational health and look forward to working on placing PROHMS as a key provider of health and wellbeing services in the workplace.” PROHMS provides occupational health and wellbeing services to companies of all sizes and across all sectors in the north of England through its team of health professionals including specialist doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.
Andrew Marshall
Liquid Accounts ANDREW Marshall has joined Longwood-based Liquid Accounts as client services officer. Mr Marshall moves to the online accounting software specialist from Leeds-based Aramark. He joined that company after graduating from Leeds University last year. In his new role, Mr Marshall, who is studying for a professional certificate in marketing, will work with Darren Garland and Richard Holmes to offer telephone support to the firm’s clients.
Page 8
■ HEALTH CHECK: Sonja Macura and Julie Curtis have launched the Macura Clinic in Slaithwaite
FRIENDS and work colleagues Sonja Macura and Julie Curtis have embarked on a healthy new venture as self-proclaimed “oldertreneurs”. The two – who both own up to “having passed their half-century birthdays” – have combined their talents to set up the Macura Clinic in Britannia Road, Slaithwaite, to provide a natural approach to health and wellbeing. Sonja has worked part time over the past 10 years while her daughter Hannah has been growing up. But she has always had a long term goal to own her own clinic. When she heard that Julie had been made redundant from her post as business manager for a health and dental practice, she approached her about starting a new business together. Sonja and Julie both qualified last year. Said Sonja: “We recognised a need to provide support, advice and treatment to the growing number of individuals who are looking for ways to improve diet and promote a healthier lifestyle in the most natural way possible. “We realise that in the current economic climate it is going to take a lot of hard work to succeed, but believe we have the right products, talents and enthusiasm to make it work.” She added: “Disappointingly, there have been no supporting grants for us. Either we were considered too old or – more surprisingly – Slaithwaite was not deemed rural enough to qualify for a rural grant. Julie said: “Results have shown that more than 70% of business start-ups by the over 50s last for more than three years compared to 28% in the younger generation. If we are helping to uplift the UK economy, we should be as entitled to support as everyone else.”
for some time with the teams at the chamber and Business Link to give recognition to successful businesses across the region with our business awards programme and are very pleased to be continuing to work with both of them on the programme in the future.” Andy Lowther, director at RBS NatWest, said: “We see membership of the chamber as
a key part of our commitment to engage with local business and offer as much help as possible in support of their business plans.” Kelly Smith, director of Juice Personnel Ltd said: “'Juice has been a member of the chamber since opening back in 2003 and has always found the services that they offer wholly beneficial to our business needs.”
Fundraising and fashion A YORKSHIRE-born entrepreneur and finalist from TV’s The Apprentice has been indulging her passion for fashion with help from a Huddersfield-based online boutique. Claire Young, who featured in the 2008 series of the show starring Sir Alan Sugar, took part in a photoshoot for web-based Business Wardrobe and attended a fashion show organised by LighterLife to raise money for Cancer Research. Since filming on The Apprentice finished, Claire has lost nearly four stones and now feels able to make the most of fashion – while dressing appropriately for the various areas of business in which she is involved. Claire has set up her own online venues management company, Elegant Venues, and balances the day-to-day running with working on her charity commitments, young enterprise ventures and broadcast appearances. Business Wardrobe specialises in designer women’s wear for the workplace. Claire said she felt it was important to support local small and medium-sized enterprises such as Business Wardrobe – as they would help drive the UK out of recession. The charity fashion show organised by LighterLife was attended by Leeds-based fashion and health-related businesses as
■ SMART LOOK: Claire Young, of TV's The Apprentice, gets fashionable with the help of Huddersfield-based Business Wardrobe well as networking partners, such as Etta Cohen, of Forward Ladies. The event raised hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research. Claire regularly takes part in charity runs for Cancer Research.
Brushing up on the stadium THE floodlights at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium have been given a lick of paint – thanks to a sponsorship deal. Crown Decorating Centres, based on Beck Lane, provided the paint for the floodlight fingers posts in a partnership with Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd. As well as agreeing a five-year sponsorship deal with the stadium, Crown Decorating Centres have also set up a 20% discount for all friends of the
stadium, including Town and Giants fans, through the stadium website, www.galpharmstadium.com Richard Beaumont, local branch manager, said: “It’s great to be associated with the stadium, especially as I’m a Town fan and season ticket holder. “This is also an excellent opportunity to offer the discount via the Stadium, as well as raise the profile of the Huddersfield store, through this partnership.”