Post Business - 25th March 2013

postbusiness thisweek Proudandin thecloud Big Interview 12-13

Professionals saycobblers toshoeshops

Networker21

Laird’s legacy

IstheUK Chancellor forturning?

BigFeature4-5

Paula’staste ofsuccess Womenin Business 15

Cautions ‘riskcareers’

World-famous shipyard spawns thriving spin-offs Legal14

P18 &19

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Come and celebrate the dynamic, passionate and inspirational businesses from across the region at a gala awards dinner and awards ceremony.

Hosted by Peter Sissons onThursday June 13, 2013 at St George’s Hall the awards are a must attend event.

To book your table call 0151 472 2570 or to request more information email events@liverpool.com For more information about the awards visit www.regionalbusinessawards.co.uk or follow us @LP_RBA Thursday June 13, 2013 is about business in our region.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

news

Event stewarding firm provides free cover for city tennis A NORTH WEST company that provides security and stewarding for major events is giving its services to the LIverpool International Tennis Tournament for free.

And Control Event Solutions (CES) will use the Calderstones Park event to give final assessments to 150 unemployed Merseysiders

currently being recruited.

Manchester-based CES was formed in the wake of the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster which recommended a more professional approach to stewarding at major events.

It started off working for Manchester United and has now grown to provide services

to many event venues including Chester Racecourse and the ECHO Arena and BT Convention Centre in Liverpool.

It also works as far afield as Brazil and Russia and now employs around 90 people full-time with 2,200 fully-accredited stewards on its books. CES is keen grow its presence in Merseyside and

see the tennis tournament, taking place from June 21-24, as the perfect platform.

The firm’s head of business development, Chris Shirling-Rooke, told Post Business: “I am a big fan of the tournament – it is a key event for Merseyside and we want to give it our support.”

CES will begin working

with tournament organiser Northern Vision in the four weeks leading up to the event.

And it want to use the opportunity to train 150 unemployed local people as stewards up to NVQ level 2.

Anyone interested can contact their job centre and must be 19 or over, not in education and CRB-checked.

Princes plotting growth from strength in European sectors

by Neil Hodgson

POST BUSINESS STAFF

neil.hodgson@liverpool.com

PRINCES, the Liverpool-based food and drinks Goliath, is targeting further growth across Europe in a bid to boost turnover to £3bn by 2020.

The group, headquartered in the Royal Liver Building, was acquired in 1989 by Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Corporation.

Then, its turnover stood at £200m, but its unaudited figures to March 31 this year are expected to top £1.75bn.

Acquisitions have played their part in the group’s expansion after a February 2011 £182m deal for Premier Foods’ canning operations in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, which included the Crosse & Blackwell and Fray Bentos brands.

But Ruth Simpson, corporate relations director, said the £3bn target is based on organic growth alone.

This is expected to be achieved by further investment in Princes’ expanding markets in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and, more recently, Poland, where it opened a factory three years ago producing edible oils.

In the UK Princes is the biggest seller of canned food – primarily fish, followed by meat – ahead of rival Heinz, based on an equal share of own label and branded goods.

Ms Simpson said: “We can take some of our UK success and expand on that in Europe.

“We have had a Rotterdam office since 1960, but we are looking at other geographies.

“Our focus is the areas where we are already present, like Holland and Germany, but we are experiencing rapid expansion in France and we are growing a new business in Poland.”

And she hinted that long-term growth plans could take the Liverpool group much further afield: “In future there will be ambitions for further growth, particularly into Russia and other geographies.

“We are a very ambitious business.”

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STEP INTO MY OFFICE Des Veney, a partner at Haines Watts chartered accountants in LIverpool

‘I think it is very interesting what the For News, Inland Sport and Revenue Business has done on your over the last phone Text LDP – few years to 67800 it does seem to have started to get its act together’ Full video interview, at www. ldpbusiness. co.uk

An edible oils factory owned by Liverpool-based Princes, which has its sights set on expansion The group also has a tuna processing facility in Mauritius, which could provide the stepping stone into territories such as Thailand.

Princes was founded in Liverpool in 1880 as a fish importing business. It moved into food manufacturing in 1946 and ventured into Europe in 1960.

After its acquisition in 1989 it was identified by Mitsubishi as its main vehicle for growth in Europe and over the past two decades has completed 21 mergers and acquisitions.

It employs 450 staff in its Royal Liver Building head office and more than 6,000 in total, with 11 UK pro-

duction sites as well as operations in Poland and Italy.

Its family of brands includes the likes of Batchelors, Branston, Flora, Aqua Pura, Crisp ‘n Dry, Shippam’s, Napolina and Crosse & Blackwell and it produces branded products for clients such as Tesco, Waitrose, Asda and Marks & Spencer.

The business has a reporting line to Mitsubishi’s headquarters in Tokyo, but Ms Simpson insists the Liverpool board, primarily homegrown directors with the exception of two Japanese colleagues, has responsibility for all Princes’ corporate decisions and

High growth firms increase in NW A SIZEABLE proportion of mid-sized small firms in the North West are showing high levels of growth, despite the challenging macro-economic conditions.

Research by business information group Experian for the Business Growth Fund found 16.9% of firms showed high growth, which equates to

post business

320 high growth companies and is a 0.7% increase from 316 firms in the North West at this point last year.

This compares against 4,353 high growth companies across the UK as a whole. These companies have demonstrated aggregate growth of at least 33% in the past three years.

The barometer shows 24,955

UK firms with a turnover of £2.5m-£100m – and there are about 1,894 companies earning this level of turnover in the North West alone.

But Andy Gregory, Northern BGF director, said: “For real economic recovery, we need these figures to be higher and more broadly based.”

strategy: “Our board make the decisions on site.”

Princes has previously been accused of following its Japanese parent’s penchant for flying “under the radar”, but Ms Simpson says that is how its 600 suppliers across more than 40 countries prefer it.

“We are a conservative company, but we have strong relationships with all our customers and retailers and have close contact at all levels,” she said.

“We have been cautious as a business, but we have supplier partnerships that have been in place for two or three decades.”

Carbon neutral CLUB Carlson, the loyalty programme of The Radisson Blu Hotel Liverpool, has become the first in the hospitality industry to be carbon neutral.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, management company of the Radisson Blu Liverpool, situated in Old Hall Street, has launched carbon neutral meetings for all Club Carlson For Planners meetings and events across the group’s six global hotel brands totalling 1,077 hotels in operation worldwide.

Extra help needed for SMEs THE new chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for Merseyside, West Cheshire and Wigan has described the latest business lending figures as “extremely disappointing”.

Elaine Moore, who recently replaced new FSB National Chairman John Allan, was responding to figures showing bank lending to small firms fell by £4.8bn in the first quarter of 2013.

According to the Bank of England, small business lending was down by 4% in the final quarter of 2012.

Ms Moore said: “With further credit restrictions from banks anticipated, the growth prospects of small firms are at risk – we need the business bank, and the newly-created Financial Conduct Authority, to help deliver greater competition in the form of new banking entrants.”

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post business big feature

Bill Gleeson Government’s sale of Urenco stake should go smoothly FOLLOWING her death and funeral, television and newspapers were full of how Margaret Thatcher transformed the British economy by, among other things, privatising many of the numerous industries and businesses in state control.

The full list of nationalised businesses is surprising, particularly when looked at from today’s perspective. Steel, car manufacture, railways, telecoms, water, electricity, gas, betting, shipbuilding, aircraft manufacture, lorry manufacture, aero-engine manufacture, luxury car production, airline operators, airports and many more besides were all in state ownership when she came to power in 1979.

Britain was a genuinely mixed economy, exhibiting some of the qualities of both the market and the socialistfavoured command economic models. The Conservatives must have netted billions for the Exchequer from the privatisation process during the 1980s.

There were, however, a few things that not even Mrs Thatcher dared to privatise: the National Health Service being top of the list of untouchable national assets.

Another venerable institution very close to the top of the list of assets that couldn’t be sold was the Royal Mail.

Of course Mrs Thatcher wanted to privatise it and put the idea on the table on many occasions during her tenure at Downing Street, but the proposal always met with resistance from voters. The British public didn’t want the Royal Mail to go out of state control. It was a step too far. We loved it too much.

The Royal Mail is, of course, an icon of Britain. The red pillar boxes and mail vans are national symbols, beloved by natives and foreign tourists who can often be seen posing for photographs beside them.

The Royal Mail is one of the last relics of the family silver that has yet to be pawned. Now the cash-strapped ideologues in control of our country are ready to try again.

Another of the last remnants of the family

silver yet to be disposed of is Urenco. However, the Capenhurst based business is not loved by the British public. If anything, it scares us a bit.

So it should be a relatively straightforward task disposing of it.

Nuclear reprocessing is a messy business. The disposal of waste is expensive and potentially dangerous.

There is also a clear security risk arising from the potential loss of control that taking it out of the public sector seems to imply.

One thing is for sure, if you take a look at the story on page eight of this magazine, you will see Urenco is a very profitable business in a growing sector, so investors shouldn’t be too difficult to find.

WE are all on tenterhooks this morning awaiting the latest statistical bulletin from the Office for National Statistics.

That’s because it’s the day that the Government publishes the first estimate of first quarter gross domestic product.

The consensus seems to be that the figure will scrape into positive territory at around +0.1%, thereby allowing Britain to narrowly avoid a triple dip recession. If the figure is negative it will be deeply embarrassing for the Government.

Such a marginal performance could easily veer into negative territory by the time revised GDP estimates are published next month.

Whether this morning’s figure is positive or negative is irrelevant.

This close to zero, the economy’s performance is in fact flat. That is the point the International Monetary Fund and everybody else has been making over the past two or more years. The British economy is not recovering, not yet anyway.

The Chancellor’s dogmatic adherence to his original austerity plan is both an economic and political mistake.

However, George Osborne can’t change policy. He is dug so deeply into an entrenched position it would be a huge loss of face to change course now.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Can we move Firms forced to tread water as UK economy remains in the doldrums. Bill Gleeson reports

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RUCIAL economic figures will this morning reveal whether the UK managed to avoid a triple dip recession amid mounting warnings over the strength of the recovery and the need for the Government to change course in the wake of the latest downgrade of Britain’s credit rating.

The growing clamour for a change in direction is coming from home and abroad.

Most economists are predicting the initial estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) on Thursday will show growth of 0.1% in the first three months of the year, which would mean the economy missing its third recession since 2008 by the narrowest of margins.

Irrespective of whether the figure shows a small rise or small fall in GDP, the reality is Britain has been stuck in the doldrums for the best part of three years now, with the economy neither growing or shrinking significantly since the end of 2009.

But experts are cautioning it will be a very close-run result after a volatile start to 2013 following snowstorms in January and March and ongoing pressure in the construction sector.

Concerns are also likely to remain over the strength of the recovery even if the economy did eke out growth, with Fitch becoming the second ratings agency to strip Britain of its prized AAA rating on Friday, citing a weaker economic outlook and worse-than-expected progress on cutting debt levels.

Its ratings cut to AA+ came after incoming Bank of England governor Mark Carney also sparked fears by branding the UK a “crisis economy” alongside stricken eurozone countries and Japan.

The brutal assessment, made on the fringes of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Washington meeting, followed comments by IMF chief Christine Lagarde that UK growth numbers were “not particularly good”.

The IMF slashed UK growth forecasts from 1% to 0.7% for 2013 and 2014’s projection from 1.9% to 1.5% as it said the private sector was being hampered by a lack of credit and economic uncertainty.

While Chancellor George Osborne is sticking by his deficit-busting programme, a Downing Street spokesman admitted last week the UK was facing “very, very tough times”.

The economy was left on the brink of a triple dip recession after output shrank by 0.3% in the final quarter of 2012.

Activity in the first quarter has so far been erratic, but there are hopes that a better performance from the powerhouse services sector and a bounce back among manufacturers after a dire January will be enough to see GDP return to growth.

And while retail sales showed a worse-than-expected 0.7% drop in March, sales in the first quarter overall still rose by 0.4%.

In line with most forecasters, Professor Gary Cook, an economist at the University of Liverpool Management School expects this morning’s figures to show marginal growth at best.

Prof Cook said: “I agree with the IMF last week.

“With growth being so slow, the chancellor is ending up with a bigger deficit despite his plans to reduce it. It’s making it harder to balance the books.

“The original spending plans were predicated on the assumption that the effects on the economy of austerity would not be so severe and that it would unleash resources for the private sector.

That’s not happened.”

Credit re-ratings aside, Prof Cook believes the government is missing an opportunity to fund growth-inducing investment on the back of cheap interest rates in the money markets.

“The axe fell pretty hard on public investment,” he said.

“Given that borrowing is still amazingly cheap, then to borrow to fund public investment is a good thing. It would not be wasting money.

“If there is growth, it will be very weak. It’s not going to cheer the chancellor up. He is going to have to fight his corner at the dispatch box before the end of the week.”

Fund management firm Investec Securities is forecasting 0.1% growth, but warns of a risk that last month’s snow hit activity more than expected, “suggesting

‘Activity in first quarter has been erratic’

there is a good chance the economy was flat and that it remains possible that it contracted”.

Investec investment director Carl Cross, who is based in the firm’s Liverpool office, believes that the government’s quantitative easing programme has had more of an impact on investment markets than the loss of Britain’s AAA rating. He said: “The downgrade was anticipated for some time. It’s a function of the debt profile and the growth outlook for the economy.

“It’s disappointing. The chancellor staked his reputation on it. In retrospect, it was rather foolish.

“The government debt reduction target is something the market welcomes. The wider issue is whether or not we can establish underlying growth in the economy.”

Mr Cross argues that the quantitative easing has resulted in abnormally high prices for UK gilts, which in turn may be making equities look attractive at the moment. He added that, while this morning’s data was likely to be marginal either way, he believes that Britain’s corporate sector is well placed for recovery.

He said: “Economic output is bumping along the bottom. If you look at the wider

Thursday, April 25, 2013

big feature post business

out of the slow lane?

Incoming Bank of England governor Mark Carney branded the UK a ‘crisis economy’

Chancellor George Osborne and Prime Minister David Cameron are unlikely to find any consolation when the latest UK growth figure is published this morning

perspective, we are not yet going to see if we are going to get more material growth in the economy.

“UK plc, however, has reasonably decent balance sheets now.

“The underlying health of UK corporates is decent. There is potential for growth in those companies and that feeds through into equities.”

Economist Vicky Redwood, at consultancy Capital Economics, said: “The chances of a further contraction in GDP in the first quarter are pretty much 50/50.”

She added: “We should not let the somewhat meaningless debate about the triple dip distract from the big picture – that this recovery is still depressingly dismal.”

Economists are looking to Mr Carney to inject some radical thinking into how the Bank can spur on the economy when he starts in July.

Policymakers have held off from pressing the button on more economy-boosting measures amid worries over the impact on the pound after it plunged in value at the start of the year, while inflation has also risen to its highest level in nearly a year at 2.8%.

The Bank saw its remit overhauled in the Budget to officially give it more flexibility in targeting inflation at 2%, but may hold off from more action on the economy until Mr Carney’s arrival.

The IMF stepped up pressure on Mr Osborne last week to consider easing his austerity programme.

David Lipton, the IMF’s first deputy managing director, said the “pace of consolidation” should be reconsidered given the weakness of the UK economy.

Mr Lipton said: “The fund’s view is clear: the UK economy has turned out to be somewhat weaker than had been foreseen, so our view is that the pace of consolidation ought to be reconsidered, and we’ll want to come and have some discussions over that.”

Nevertheless, Mr Lipton stressed it was still “very important” that the UK government maintained fiscal consolidation as a goal.

It looks as if the British economy will remain stuck in the slow lane for at least another two years despite the fact Britain’s biggest businesses have plenty of investment fuel in their tanks.

‘Economic output is bumping along the bottom’

Government plan to expand FLS to invoice houses to boost lending to small businesses CASH-starved small businesses are reportedly poised for further help under the Government’s multi-billion pound scheme to boost lending under plans to jump-start the recovery.

Chancellor George Osborne is set to announce moves to ramp up the Funding for Lending scheme (FLS) specifically to get credit flowing to small firms by extending the programme to specialist financial houses.

The move comes as recent figures show lending to companies slumped by £4.8bn in the three months to February, a sign that the multi billion-pound scheme to boost credit is failing to help small businesses.

Figures from the Bank of England showed net lending to companies large and small shrunk during the three months, but mortgage lending edged 0.7% higher.

It is understood that Mr Osborne will also extend the FLS by a year to January 2015 as he launches an economic fightback in the face of warn-

ings over the UK and the latest ratings downgrade.

The Treasury and Bank of England are thought to be planning to expand the scope of the FLS to invoice finance houses and leasing firms that provide around £20bn of working capital to small businesses.

The scheme was launched last summer by the Bank and the Treasury to offer banks and building societies funding at low interest rates on condition it is passed on to households and businesses.

While it has been helping boost the home loan sector – with net mortgage lending up 0.7% in the quarter to February, according to the Bank – it has not had the same beneficial impact for small businesses.

In minutes last week from the April interest rates meeting, policymakers confirmed they “saw merit” in boosting the scheme after Mr Osborne said at last month’s Budget that the Treasury and Bank were toying with extensions to the FLS.

It is thought an announcement could be made soon.

It has also been speculated that the Treasury may seek to split the FLS into two, as banks that are currently shrinking their legacy mortgage books are not able to qualify for the cheapest rates, which is holding back improvements in business lending.

The lending figures show that net flow of credit to companies declined by £2.8bn in February alone, deeper than drops of £300m in January and £1.7bn in December.

Small companies still found it tough to access loans, although credit availability had improved for big firms and some medium-sized businesses.

Howard Archer, an economist at IHS Global Insight, said: “The survey adds to the pressure on the Bank of England and the Government to come up with further measures aimed at boosting bank lending to businesses, with the focus particularly on easing credit conditions for smaller companies.”

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

post business wealth management IN ASSOCIATION WITH

notes

Is an improving US housing market merely an illusion?

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HOME ownership dropped off in recent years for the first time in almost a century, official figures showed.

Across England and Wales, home ownership soared from just 23% of families owning their own home in 1918 to a peak of more than two-thirds (69%) in 2001, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures. But by 2011, as people struggled to get on the property ladder amid the tough economic climate, the proportion of those who own their own homes had fallen back to 64%.

The ONS article suggested factors that might have impacted on mortgage buyers include house prices rising at a faster rate over the last decade than in previous years, low wage growth and tightened lending requirements in the years since the credit crunch secure a mortgage.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, said: “This confirms what millions of struggling young people and families know already – their dream of home ownership is slipping further out of reach.”

Body.

market analysis

by Will Roberts

LIVERPOOL OFFICE OF CHARLES STANLEY

THE importance of an improving US housing market is underlined by a recent note by Bank of America which highlighted it as the key factor underpinning the economy’s expected emergence from its soft patch.

The bank specifically points to the improvement in housing activity while another study shows that US house prices in February were 10% higher year on year, the biggest such increase since sub-prime activity was at its height in March 2006.

These developments warrant closer attention. Back in November 2010, a scandal erupted relating to the “robosigning” of mortgage titles across the US, the consequence of which was that nobody knew what actually belonged to whom.

This meant that the escalating foreclosure process collapsed as banks no longer had sufficient leverage to evict struggling homeowners.

In February 2012, the banks and attorneys general signed the “robosettlement” to unclog the foreclosure pipeline but this has not materialised as foreclosures have continued to decline month on month.

Properties not entering the foreclosure pipeline are effectively kept out of inventory and the distressed end of the market. Therefore the routine fall in foreclosures has acted as a form of subsidy to the housing market in general. Month after month less inventory than expected is entering the market creating a skewed relationship between supply and demand.

There is now a backlog in excess of 2.5m properties that should be foreclosed based on historical trend lines but which are being routinely overlooked by the banks.

The result of this restricted supply is that the prices of other properties on the market have risen sharply.

As some people are effectively living for free by not paying mortgages on properties which are in the backlog, others are finding housing less afford-

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Freddie Mac was responsible for many of the sub-prime mortgages. Inset, Will Roberts able due to rising house prices.

Therefore, is the recovery in the US housing market an illusion?

At some point, huge volumes of vacated (but still owned) properties will hit the market.

The US administration is very keen to impart the message that the US housing market is doing well.

However, US citizens are not benefiting from this process, so who is?

Unsurprisingly it is the banks.

Banks have weathered and survived crises, during which the weakest institutions were allowed to survive, and have morphed away from being traditional borrowers and lenders of

money. The sector emerged in a world lacking any obvious low risk, high profitability opportunities to exploit and the response was sub-prime mortgages backed by Federal agencies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Of course this nearly brought the financial system to its knees in 2007/08 with the US government and the Fed bailing out and guaranteeing a number of institutions to the tune of $23 trillion.

As part of the recovery process the housing sector was immediately reflated with tax credits to new home buyers, mortgage rates driven down to near zero and the Fed buying more

Families felt worse off in April, says study THE squeeze on families’ finances tightened its grip in April for the first time in 2013, a report has found.

Four times as many households (32%) reported that their budgets worsened compared with those who saw an improvement (8%), according to the latest household finance index compiled by financial information firm Markit.

The overall reading for April was 37.7, down from 39.3 in March and marking the first time this year that the downturn in financial wellbeing has deepened month-on-month.

Readings above 50 indicate that

people’s finances are improving and those below this point show a deterioration.

Markit said that the worsening finances largely reflect an ongoing squeeze on cash availability for people on lower incomes, combined with higher living costs in April.

All income groups reported a sharper deterioration of their finances in March, and people earning between £15,000-£23,000 were particularly badly hit, as were those renting from local authorities and housing associations.

Across the survey, just under 42%

of households expect their finances to worsen over the next 12 months, compared with 27% that forecast an improvement.

People living in the North East and the North West were the most pessimistic about their future prospects, while those living in the East of England were the most optimistic.

Public sector workers reported a slight drop in their employment incomes this month, while private sector workers saw a moderate increase. Manufacturing bucked the overall trend, with pay growth at its strongest in eight months.

than $1 trillion of private mortgages.

House prices are reviving but US citizens are not benefiting. Mortgage debt in the US appears to have declined since peaking in 2010 but the problem is total consumer debt is increasing while real household incomes are falling.

The ongoing zero base rate policy is helping households make their debt payments to the banks.

So far from inflating a housing bubble in the US to generate a new “wealth effect”, there is a suspicion that rising house prices are merely shielding the banks from any potential problems in the system.

NINE out of 10 Britons would trust the scandal-hit banking industry more if bad bankers were struck off, a consumer group found.

Despite moves by banks to change their culture and become more customer-focused, Which? said its findings suggest that the reputation of the industry has slumped further in recent months, with fewer people thinking that bankers act ethically now than they did even in the wake of the Libor scandal.

Women are the worst off WOMEN are bearing the brunt of the continued squeeze on household budgets, a consumer group has warned.

Which? uncovered a “stark gender divide” in how people are coping with their finances, with women tending to be not only the hardest hit but also less optimistic about their future prospects and those of the wider economy.

Only one woman in five expects her finances to improve over the next year compared with one quarter of men.

The group’s quarterly consumer report found that women are more likely to be cutting back on food, household goods and socialising than men, with 38% of women saying they were doing this compared with 31% of men.

Almost one third (31%) of women surveyed said that they ran out of money last month, compared with less than one quarter (23%) of men.

Women are also more likely than men to have no savings at all to fall back on.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Time to reserve your RBA tickets IT’S time to reserve your place at The Liverpool Post’s Regional Business Awards gala dinner before all of the tickets are snapped up.

Tickets have traditionally been in strong demand at this stage in the run-up to the popular event. It is important to act now to avoid disappointment.

The awards final will take place in the grand setting of St George’s Hall. Some 500 guests, including some of the region’s top movers and shakers, will be present at the black tie dinner that takes place on the evening of June 13.

Hosted by former BBC broadcaster Peter Sissons, the night will

news

by Tony McDonough

POST BUSINESS STAFF

tony.mcdonough@liverpool.com

A PLAN by the Government to allow tenants and landlords to challenge “rogue letting” agents is a “step in the right direction” but more needs to be done to regulate the industry.

That’s the view of Richard Globe, founder of the Wirral-based Residential Property Landlord Letting Support Group, who has long campaigned for greater regulation of the residential lettings sector.

Last week the Government, which has so far resisted calls for greater regulation, backed an amendment to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform bill that would require letting agents to sign up to an ombudsman scheme.

It would also give power to the Office of Fair Trading to ban those agents who act improperly.

The residential lettings sector has a significant presence in Merseyside where many people have embraced the buy-to-let boom.

There has also been a sharp increase in the number of what Mr Globe calls “accidental landlords”, people who perhaps have been unable to sell a property and have decided to rent it out instead.

Renting out a property requires knowledge of a number of legal responsibilities towards tenants and so many property owners will turn to letting agents.

However, when the agents are not up to the job then trouble ensues.

The above proposals could become

law as early as next spring but Mr Globe wants the Government to go further and consider full licensing of both agents and landlords.

He told Post Business: “This announcement means the first cracks are starting to show in the Government’s opposition to mandatory licensing.

“It is welcome as far as it goes but there is an urgent need to tackle rogue landlords as well as rogue lettings agents.

“Voluntary or self-regulation has clearly not worked.

“What we need is blanket regulation that covers the whole spectrum.”

The British Property Federation, Roya Institution of Chartered Surveyors and other groups have all backed the latest proposals.

Campaigner Richard Globe

World-famous Cunard Building stages a drama showcase

THE POST

REGIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS2013

Students from Liverpool John Moores University performing at the Cunard Building

Picture: GAVIN TRAFFORD

Caterer Pickled Walnut unveils a new events joint venture PICKLED Walnut, the Birkenhead catering specialist, announced the launch of its new events company in front of 400 guests at last week’s six course Taste of the North event in Liverpool Cathedral.

It has joined forces with award-winning Mike Hughes, ex-marketing manager at the Northwest Regional Development Agency, to launch Pickled Walnut Events.

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Landlords’ group renews call for licensing of whole sector

L I V E R P O O L

see awards handed out to the winners of 11 categories.

Former award winners include Redrow founder Steve Morgan, haulage entrepreneur Steve O’Connor, Bibby Line Group and shipyard Cammell Laird.

Now in their third decade, the awards are an established part of the region’s annual social calendar. To buy tickets for the awards dinner visit our special awards website at www.regionalbusinessawards.co.uk or email events@liverpool.com or call 0151 472 2570.

You can also follow the progress of the awards on Twitter at @LP_RBA

post business

During his career he was instrumental in promoting the Olympics in the North West and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester as well as organising many business conferences and tourism awards.

He said: “I am looking forward to a highly successful joint venture.”

Pickled Walnut was established seven years ago and

now employs more than 20 staff.

The company is headed by brand director Jamie Anderson and operations director Mark Kershaw.

Mr Anderson said: “This new partnership is an exciting development for Pickled Walnut.”

From left: Jamie Anderson, Mike Hughes, and Mark Kershaw

DRAMA students from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) staged a performance in one of the city’s most famous commercial buildings this week.

The students performed a free “promenade piece” at the Cunard Building on the waterfront – one of the world-famous Three Graces.

In an imaginative bid to raise the profile of the commercial space, owner Merseyside Pension Fund worked with LJMU to host the event which included performance, installations and visual work.

It was entitled “The Third Grace: A unique tour around the Cunard Building to learn about its past and ever possible future”.

Storytellers acted as guides, taking the audience on a journey around the entire building where they could experience what the Cunard Building was like in its colourful past as well as exploring what the future could hold for the city icon.

One of the students, Hannah Mullan, said: “It is the building itself, the people who worked there and the people who travelled the world from it, that have inspired the piece, and we are very proud to have been given this wonderful opportunity.”

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

post business the bottom line

Uranium reprocessor remains optimistic despite Fukushima

by Bill Gleeson

POST BUSINESS STAFF

bill.gleeson@liverpool.com

CAPENHURST-BASED uranium reprocessing group Urenco has suffered a 2bn euro fall in its order book as a direct result of the Fukishima nuclear power plant disaster in Japan.

Not that this is deterring the Government from its plan to sell off at least part of its stake in the Cheshire firm.

Officials reportedly hope to raise up to £3bn from the sale, part of a wider strategy to dispose of public assets such as Royal Mail and the Student Loan Book.

Michael Fallon, the business and energy minister, said the transaction would have to meet Britain’s security interests as well as represent value for money.

Mr Fallon said it was the right time for the Government to sell off its stake and that the decision made “good commercial sense”.

According to its latest accounts, filed last week at Companies House, the group, also part-owned by the Dutch government, has seen its long term order book shrink from 20bn euros to 18bn euros as at its December 2012 year end.

At 112 pages, the company’s annual report and accounts certainly set out to promote the business to the reader.

In the business review, Urenco states: “Utilities worldwide focused on evaluating safety, causing a number of expected long term sales enquiries to be deferred.”

However, the order book stretches beyond 2025 and, despite Fukishima, turnover grew 23% last year to 1.6bn euros on the back of new reprocessing capacity coming on stream in the US. Urenco also enjoyed profits growth, despite the fact that investment in the new US plant added £90m to the group’s depreciation charges. Net income for 2012 was 401.5m euros versus 359.1m euros in 2011.

The group’s balance sheet shows fixed tangible assets such as property, plant and equipment worth 4,775.6m euros, up from 4,285.3m euros. December 2012’s figure rises by 40m euros once intangible assets are also taken into account.

Cash and cash equivalents were shown at 95.7meuros compared to 80.2m euros at the previous year end.

However, the group had total loans and borrowings of 2,565m euros, down slightly from 2,684m euros at the end of 2011.

A unique aspect of accounting for

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SANDWICH chain Pret A Manger has pledged to create at least 500 UK jobs this year after its expansion drive helped annual sales leap 13% to £443m.

The company will hire around 1,000 staff worldwide in 2013 as it looks to grow its portfolio of 323 stores by 50, with half of the new shops being pencilled in for the UK. Around 15 of the stores will be based in London, with Leicester and Peterborough among other towns under consideration for the remaining 10.

Pret said its new UK jobs will be supported by extending its employment programme for school leavers in September.

The sandwich chain has 256 stores in the UK, where it has opened 19 in the past year. But just days after supermarket giant Tesco became the latest British firm to pull out of the US, Pret said it is marching ahead to build a “critical mass” in the country after opening 11 stores in the past year – including two in its fourth US city of Boston.

■ Aerial view of Urenco’s Capenhurst facility, which is under expansion uranium enrichment operations arises from the need to safely dispose of depleted uranium and other waste materials such as obsolete equipment.

The notes to the accounts read: “The final amount of provision is uncertain, but it is evaluated based upon the planned operational activity involved in safe disposal in accordance with current regulatory requirements.”

Safe disposal of nuclear waste is very expensive and the cost can accrue over many years, if not decades.

Urenco’s balance sheet holds what is called a cumulative “tails” provision totalling 826.5m euros to cover these disposal costs. The charge incurred in 2012 was 137.3m euros, up on 117.2m euros in 2011.

Urenco sees managing tails as a strong growth area and a new tails management facility is currently under construction at Capenhurst.

The report and accounts state: “We are approximately halfway through a programme to recruit all the staff

required.” The facility is expected to be ready by 2015.

Urenco has also acquired land for future operational growth at Capenhurst. As well as the Cheshire site, Urenco operates three other enrichment plants in Germany, the Netherlands and the US using centrifuge technology. The group sees itself as a “key contributor to the supply of low carbon energy for the world.”

The company says 46% of its order book originates from the US, 37% from Europe and 17% from the rest of world.

Its market share has risen from 29% to 31% over last year, which the company says underlines its “position as a world leader in enrichment services”.

In his chairman’s statement, Dr John Hood, previously vice-chancellor of Oxford University, said: “Some countries have reassessed their position. Others including the USA, China and India, have determined that nuclear energy should continue to play an integral role in their future energy

provision. Still more, such as the United Arab Emirates, are adopting nuclear energy for the first time. We remain responsive to our customers' requirements as we seek to fulfil our mission to be the leading supplier of enrichment services and a key contributor to sustainable energy.

“Looking to the years ahead, we are confident that the need and demand for nuclear energy around the world will continue to grow, and we will plan and adapt our business to ensure that we deliver for our customers to the highest standards of safety, security and quality.”

In contrast to growth in America, the German government’s decision to phase out nuclear power generation by 2022 has led other European countries to review the role nuclear should play in their energy strategy. The UK, however, has reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear energy and continues to progress with plans for new nuclear power stations.

Flybe profits expected to come in at lower end of forecast STRUGGLING regional airline Flybe, which serves the Liverpool John Lennon Airport route to the Isle of Man, warned this week annual losses will be deeper than feared as higher fuel costs weigh on the carrier.

The Exeter-based airline, which recently announced a cull of around 10% of its 3,000-strong UK workforce, said revenues will also be weaker than expected and annual underlying costs will rise by around 2.5%.

It plans to slash costs by at least £35m as it looks to stem losses.

The airline is also reviewing its net-

notes

work of 13 UK bases, which include Bristol, Cardiff, Doncaster,Edinburgh and East Midlands Airport.

Flybe said underlying profits will be “at the lower end of previous guidance”.

City investment analysts had expected the company to post pre-tax losses ranging from £10m to £23m in the year to the end of March.

They also expected revenues of around £607m.

Flybe said its cost-cutting drive was on track and savings should exceed £25m in its current financial year. It

will book restructuring costs of around £12m in its imminent results.

However, despite the disappointing profit performance, the company was able to point to a number of hopeful signs for the future. Summer ticket revenues were 2% ahead of last year, with passenger numbers also up.

Shares in the company edged up despite the profits downgrade, but Oriel Securities analysts said any notable recovery hinged on its restructuring plan.

In contrasting fortunes, the owner of leisure airline Jet2.com said annual

profits would be better than expected, sending its shares soaring 8%.

Leeds-based airline and holidays firm Dart Group, which flies from cities including Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle, added summer bookings were also up and it has hiked capacity by 13% for its key trading period.

Canaccord Genuity said Dart’s “upward trajectory” continues thanks to its focus on “attractively priced all-inclusive package holidays” and increased its full year profits forecast to £37m.

CONSUMER goods group Reckitt Benckiser has reported a strong start to 2013 after a heavy flu and colds season boosted demand for Strepsils and Nurofen.

The Slough-based group, which owns brands including Harpic, Dettol and Durex, also made big strides in its rapidly-expanding markets of India, Brazil and China, driving 6% underlying revenues growth during the first three months of the year.

Total revenues improved 7% to £2.5bn and Reckitt said it is confident of achieving 5-6% growth for the year despite “continued challenging market conditions”.

Reckitt benefited from successful launches of new products such as Strepsils lozenges for children and Nurofen heat patches. Other innovations such as Mucinex Fast Max and Sinus Max decongestants drove growth in the US, helping its European and North American division increase underlying sales by 3%.

Reckitt is battling newly-introduced generic competition in its highly profitable pharmaceuticals business.

Rivals’ generic tablets have so far taken 10% market share since their recent launch.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

small business post business

small

notes

business of the week

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ANYONE hiding investments and assets in the Isle of Man, Guernsey or Jersey have been warned to pay the tax they owe before a crackdown in September 2016.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will pursue offenders after ground-breaking agreements to tackle offshore tax evasion using bank accounts and other structures in the Crown Dependencies.

After September 2016, HMRC will automatically receive information from banks in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man identifying all account holders.

The disclosure facility allows people to voluntarily settle their tax affairs before HMRC starts to target fraudsters who refuse to comply.

Those who ignore the disclosure opportunity could face criminal prosecution, significantly higher penalties, and the risk of having their names published.

A package of measures designed for those hiding assets offshore was agreed between the UK and the governments of the Isle of Man in February 2013, and Guernsey and Jersey in March 2013.

by Neil Hodgson

POST BUSINESS STAFF

neil.hodgson@liverpool.com

M

ORE than 20 years after beginning his career, architect Lee Birchall is in the extremely envious position of still loving his work.

“You hear mates moan about being fed up with their jobs, but, fortuitously, it has been a job over the past 20 years I absolutely love. I love creating things,” he said.

Warrington-born Mr Birchall’s entry into the profession was also fortuitous: “I drew at school and my English teacher told me there was a job going at an architect’s in town.”

The firm put him through university and seven years ago he found himself at a Manchester practice.

“I was pushing to be a partner but it didn’t look like coming off.”

He decided to strike out on his own: “I saved three months’ wages and three people said, ‘if you’re looking to move we will stick with you’.”

And that was the start of Warrington-based DV8 Designs.

Mr Birchall said: “Most businesses start in a back bedroom but mine was under the stairs, like Harry Potter.

“I had a little desk there and when the kids came home from school I had to put on headphones to zone out and concentrate.”

The firm is now based in Birchwood Business Park employing six staff supported by a raft of freelancers as and when needed, with a range of projects under its belt ranging from £20,000 to £35m.

DV8 operates mainly in the leisure sector of bars, restaurants, hotels, spas and sporting clubs – even a plush hospitality facility for a Formula 1 racing team next to the pits.

Mr Birchall said: “I have done residential and industrial design, but leisure is the thing that gives me that buzz. When you do a bar most clients want it now and it happens so quickly.

Contracts are pretty much squeezed in and you see the fruits of your labour quite quickly.”

The practice provides both architectural and interior design services. Mr Birchall explained: “We try to do the all-round package. A lot of architects tend to stay just as an architect. So we have got in through that back door when a client wanted the interior design. The whole thing about the past three or four years is having a different string to your bow.”

Clients include the likes of Hyde’s Brewery, Frankie and Bennys, Gulliver’s World Theme Park, Butlins, and PepsiCo and a London satellite office adds to the mix with jobs in places like Hampstead Heath and Lowestoft.

He added: “We do a lot of work in Chester and we’re looking at a boutique hotel in Liverpool at the moment.”

He says the independent sector has increased as public sector cuts continue to bite and staff find themselves jobless, but with a redundancy cheque.

Independent coffee shops seem to be most popular: “There’s a niche for good coffee shops with quality cakes.”

Mr Birchall is proud of the fact that DV8, which turns over almost £200,000, has made a profit every year bar one, when it broke even: “For seven years in business that is good. I’m never aware of what I have achieved, so for one year just on the borderline and six in profit, it is not a bad feat really.”

9

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DV8 Designs founder Lee Birchall, with his senior interior designer Laura Seddon

Lee still loves thrill of the creative process He admits being a lone director can sometimes weigh heavy and suggested more could be done to nurture entrepreneurs.

“It is very lonely being a director on your own. Seven years ago I was an employee and I have had to learn all this. I had to become a salesman, a bookkeeper, an HR specialist, which is a big learning curve. There’s no manual,” he said.

He added: “The old North West Development Agency gave me a mentor who did some little things for the business, like forecasting, and for that six months it steadied the ship a little bit and that is what I miss.

“There’s nothing there now like that, and you would expect there to be more at a time like this.”

A DV8 project, The Ring O'Bells, Chester, nominated for two awards

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has launched a new raft of free online webinars giving tax help.

The live webinars are led by HMRC staff and include time for participants to ask questions online.

Some are also available as pre-recorded versions that can be watched at any time.

The latest webinars cover employer annual returns, business record-keeping and tax advice for childminders.

There are also direct links.

Employer Annual Return for employers, who have a May 19 deadline to submit annual returns (P35 and P14s) Go to: hmrc.gov.uk/ webinars/employers Business record keeping for the self-employed.

Find out more and register at: hmrc.gov.uk/ webinars/ self-employed. htm#5 Business record keeping – this recorded webinar is suitable for limited companies as well as the selfemployed. To watch: hmrc.gov.uk/webinars/ employers.htm#11 Self employed childminders – a live interactive webinar covering key tax issues affecting self-employed childminders. To register: hmrc. gov.uk/webinars/selfemployed.htm#5a

10 post business creative & digital

Thursday, April 25, 2013 IN ASSOCIATION WITH

comment

by DR RICHARD WILSON

Make the case for tax relief THE European Commission’s decision to launch an investigation into the case for Games Tax Relief (GTR) is a very disappointing hold-up which, if prolonged, could jeopardise much needed investment and job creation in the UK’s games industry.

Yet this is a delay, not a defeat, in TIGA’s five-year campaign for GTR. Both the French video games tax relief and the UK’s Film Tax Relief were subject to an investigation by the Commission before they were introduced.

The UK games industry needs to surmount one final hurdle before GTR can be enacted: we must make a compelling, convincing and constructive case to the EU Commission of the merits of GTR. TIGA strongly believes video games can be cultural products. Yet there is a market failure in the supply of culturally British video games.

Many games are made overseas because of the tax credits that are available and so many culturally British elements are lost. Of the games that are still being made in the UK they are increasingly being made with an international or Americanised theme.

TIGA contends there is a market failure in the supply of finance for games developers and digital publishers. Limited access to finance has a negative impact on the supply of capital for the production of culturally British video games.

Many key overseas competitors benefit from tax breaks for games production. The UK does not.

Additionally, creative businesses such as games studios, find it harder to raise finance in comparison to non-creative businesses. GTR addresses these challenges. Firstly, GTR should enable more studios to self-publish and so keep a British feel in their games. Secondly, GTR will reduce the cost of games development in the UK and so could incentivise global publishers to take more of a risk on developing games with a British character.

■ DR RICHARD WILSON is CEO of video games trade body TIGA

A new look for culinary showcase EVENT manager SK Events has appointed Liverpool advertising and branding agency, Black & Ginger, to create a new brand identity for Liverpool Food & Drink Festival.

The festival’s Sefton Park centrepiece attracts some 40,000 visitors every year and has hosted events by celebrity chefs including Paul Hollywood and Marco Pierre White.

Following this year’s park showcase on September 7 and 8, the festival will continue with events at venues across the city.

Black & Ginger managing director, Alex Frech, said: “The festival is one of the city’s great annual events and we are delighted to have been appointed to work on the project.”

Denise Harris, managing director of SK Events, said: “Black & Ginger has shown a clear passion for the festival and a real understanding of the direction we would like to take the brand.”

Tom and Henry Herbert, of TV’s The Fabulous Baker Brothers, at last year’s Liverpool Food & Drink Festival

Waterfront marquee party ‘a model for city’s event market’

by Alistair Houghton POST BUSINESS STAFF

alistair.houghton@liverpool.com

CREATIVE events firm Orion is bringing a “giant glass-sided marquee” to the Royal Liver Building so more than 1,000 guests can attend the Pier Head’s first private party.

The recently regenerated waterfront space will host the “Reflections on the Waterfront” event next Thursday (May 2) alongside the annual Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) conference at the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre.

The marquee idea was created by Karl Dolan and Charlotte Winby, of Liverpool-based “party architects” Orion.

The 18,0000 sq ft pavilion, which will take a week to build, will be “contemporary, light and spacious” and will even boast indoor waterfalls. Chef Paul Askew and his team from London Carriage Works are creating a menu inspired by Liverpool.

Liverpool Convention Bureau hopes the marquee will provide a model for future events at Liverpool landmarks.

Ms Winby, Orion’s creative director, said: “With the ACT returning to Liverpool for the third consecutive year, they needed a new venue for their main hospitality evening.

“In previous years they had enjoyed the Anglican Cathedral as one of the few locations capable of handling such large numbers of guests – however, keen to ensure the ACT’s return to Liverpool offered a fresh level of experience, the Liverpool Convention Bureau set us the challenge of finding

a new city centre venue that offered just as much local ‘wow factor’.

“Our starting point for inspiration was ‘Only in Liverpool’ and we’re sure that what we have devised will offer an a stylish and exciting experience in a unique venue that celebrates Liverpool’s world-famous landmarks.”

Ms Winby and Mr Dolan launched Orion after working in theatre, television and live production.

Previous Orion events have included the transformation of the under-construction Museum of Liverpool into a banqueting hall and the creation of a secret city centre nightclub based on the Seven Deadly Sins.

Kate Currie, interim manager at Liverpool Convention Bureau, said: “As a leading conferencing and events destination we offer a wealth of first class venues and spaces for delegates.

“This event is particularly exciting as it represents a first for Pier Head and will provide an excellent model for other large scale hospitality events, helping to further enhance the fantastic offer Liverpool City Region represents”.

Judith Feather, Liverpool City Council’s manager of events and cultural infrastructure, said: “It is important that the city does not stand still on what it offers conferences, which is why it’s exciting Orion is pioneering the Pier Head as a site for pop-up conference and corporate hospitality.

“This event has the potential to further enhance Liverpool’s event offering and attract a whole new audience from all over the world.”

Karl Dolan, left, and Charlotte Winby, of event organiser Orion

creative & digital post business 11

Thursday, April 25, 2013

www.ldpcreative.co.uk

Liverpool online pioneers are stars at capital web showcase

Ben Hatton

by Alistair Houghton POST BUSINESS STAFF

alistair.houghton@liverpool.com

THE team behind hi-tech workspace DoES Liverpool has decamped to London this week to showcase its work on the “internet of things”.

DoES, in Hanover Street, is a cross between a shared workspace and a workshop where people can use equipment such as laser cutters to build prototypes of new devices.

It is home to several people working on new ways to connect people and the devices they use to the internet.

DoES team members have been promoting their work at London confer Internet World 2013, which ends today.

Does co-founder John McKerrell said: “You might think that ‘things’ have always been connected to the internet. Computers, mobile phones, even printers have been connected for years.

“A lot of the current talk and investment in the Internet of Things is large sensor networks and taking information from our environment.

“What we at DoES Liverpool like to think of when we talk about the Internet of Things is a whole lot more personal and unexpected. How about a bubble machine that blows bubbles when people mention you or your business on Twitter? Or perhaps a clock or dial that instead of showing time or statistics shows where someone is?”

Those two ideas have been on show at Internet World.

The clock, known as the WhereDial, is Mr McKerrell’s own brainchild.

The bubble-blowing machine, meanwhile, is known as Bubblino and was created by fellow co-founder Adrian McEwen.

Bubblino has starred at many digital conferences around the UK, while versions have been sold to several organisations in the UK and Europe.

Mr McEwen led the team that

Email still a must in marketing

John McKerrell with his WhereDial at DoES Liverpool, in Hanover Street, and, right, Adrian McEwen with Bubblino Pictures: COLIN LANE developed the first web browser for a mobile phone and his code was even used in Amstrad’s Emailer device.

Among his recent commissions was Acker’s Bell, which chimes every time Liverpool digital startup ScraperWiki makes a sale.

Mr McEwen developed the software and electronics, while its mounting was designed and made at DoES using the centre’s laser cutter.

The bell normally sits in Scraperwiki’s Liverpool Science Park base,

but will be taken to London as part of the DoES display.

Mr McEwen is also chief technical officer at Good Night Lamp, which has created a series of internet-connected lamps that switch on or off depending on what your friends around the world are doing.

He and fellow DoES founder Hakim Cassimally have also written what they hope will be the definitive book on their field, called Designing for the Internet of Things.

Embassy gets the popcorn out to promote Mersey film locations

Thriving agency wins rebranding contract

LIVERPOOL’S “embassy” in London is set to hold more events to showcase the city’s offering to filmmakers from around the UK. The It’s Liverpool in London headquarters, in Royal Mint Court, recently hosted a visit from senior representatives from the British Film Institute (BFI).

That body’s chief executive, Amanda Neville, was joined by Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree and Alison McGovern, MP for Wirral South, and representatives from Merseyside’s creative sector.

High-profile Hollywood productions filmed in Liverpool recently include Captain America and The Fast and the Furious 6, while last year Keira

A CHILDREN’S literacy scheme is being given a new look by Liverpool branding agency USP Creative.

The company has been appointed by LCVS/United Way to re-brand and re-launch the Thrive at 5 project, which sees children receive a free book once a month until they are five.

They are encouraged to read the books with their parents or to join shared Get into Reading sessions.

The programme was launched in Everton and is expanding to other areas.

Clare Beavan, philanthropy development manager for LCVS/United Way, said: “USP has created a great brand tool that will help us engage people in so many ways encouraging them to get involved and support the programme.”

Keira Knightley Knightley and Kenneth Branagh filmed in Liverpool city centre for a thriller provisionally called Jack Ryan.

Kevin McManus, Liverpool Vision’s head of creative and digital, said: “Liverpool remains the

most-filmed UK city outside London.

“It has an ever-growing reputation as a city with a vibrant and diverse film production industry and as a city which can provide varied and adaptable filming locations.

“The British Film Institute were very keen to learn more about what Liverpool can offer and it is fantastic to be firmly on their radar.

“It’s Liverpool in London provides the perfect location for this event, it is convenient for London based companies but it adds a distinct Liverpool theme to proceedings. We are looking forward to hosting more events to promote Liverpool’s film and media industry at Its Liverpool in London.”

Clare Beavan USP’s managing director, Jan Peters, said: “Literacy skills are an important foundation for our lives and it is a great opportunity to be able to create a brand that encourages children and families to improve their skills.”

I HAVE heard it said many times that the email campaign has had its day – and that social media is the way forward for direct marketing.

This sentiment has been supported by recent research from the Econsultancy/Adestra Email Marketing Industry Census 2013, which suggests that almost two thirds of marketers rated their email campaign as “poor’ or average”. Just a paltry 4% rated it as excellent.

But email marketing campaigns are a sure-fire way to directly connect with the target market, which is why they are still growing in popularity and are critical to brand awareness.

What makes an email drive successful is the strategy. This, coupled with appropriate design and content, can work wonders for any campaign.

With the research suggesting 12% of marketers spend no time on their email campaign strategy, it’s little wonder there is much displeasure with this tool – both for companies and their targets.

People dislike receiving ill-thought-out spam just as much as businesses are reluctant to send it.

A good email campaign should inspire the end user to engage with it.

Sending an email is simply communication – the objective is to persuade the recipient to open and read the email and act on it.

Adjusting the campaign to suit a range of devices will bolster the number of emails read and click-through rate.

This engagement is key to the success of the campaign, and crucial to creating an engaging campaign is to make the user feel like it is specifically for them.

The power of email is still extremely strong.

But it requires a focus on the campaign details to really harness this power.

■ INTERNET entrepreneur Ben Hatton is founder and managing director of digital agency Rippleffect. Follow Rippleffect on Twitter @rippleffected

12 post business big feature

Alistair Houghton meets ADAM JARVIS, CEO at Intrinsic Technology

Y

OU CAN’T have your head in the clouds if you’re going to grow your IT business – but it helps to get your head around “the cloud”.

Adam Jarvis last year took the helm at Haydock computing and communications specialist Intrinsic Technology. The company today turns over some £40m a year but Jarvis and his team at the private equity-backed business want to take it to £100m in the next few years.

IT firms have traditionally focused on installing equipment – the kind of kit Jarvis referred to as “black boxes that say ping”.

That still forms a key part of Intrinsic’s work but the company is increasingly offering services that can be accessed from anywhere in the world – so-called cloud computing.

“Our industry is besieged by the cloud,” said Jarvis, a father of three.

“If you think about Facebook or social media, you don’t know where the application sits or where the data centre is, and who cares? It’s always available and you can access it anywhere.”

So Intrinsic is continuing to develop its own cloud-based app products for its clients.

Jarvis said: “IT is going through a transformation from being a capital expenditure-oriented ownership of IT assets to a non-ownership but pay-as-you-drink, buy-as-you-go model.

“People want to consume IT when they want to. They want to use the devices they want. They don’t want to be using decrepit devices when you could give them one of these (an iPad) and save millions of pounds in your back office and work more efficiently.

“We as a service provider have got to accommodate that change in the market.

“We are about providing a service, being at the end of a phone. Whether it’s based in your location or based in a data centre is not that fundamental to our business model. We’ve just got to fix it.

“But ultimately we have a strong aspiration to grow our revenue with new solutions and sales, transforming from this capital expenditure model to a much more operational expenditure, pay-as-you-drink model.

“It is an interesting challenge. We have developed a three-year strategy to take the business through these changes, bringing the people along that can adapt and finding new people that can accelerate that change.

“That’s what I’ve spent the last six months firming up. The next six are the delivery phase where we start to implement that plan and start growing.”

W

HEN he’s explaining what his company does, Jarvis neatly sidesteps IT jargon with a case study of how IT can help a business make money.

Intrinsic can supply the infrastructure behind voice and data communications networks, and the software that runs them. But for Jarvis, success is about service rather than simply selling software.

He said: “That’s where we make our money – we deliver something of value that others cannot.

“People can provide a few different pieces of infrastructure or solutions.

But it’s all about the service that we can deliver that makes it personal,

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Why the ‘boxes that say ping’ are not yet obscured by clouds

Intrinsic Technology is working with retail giant Next to help it send personalised message to customers and helps the businesses we work with to achieve what they want to achieve.

“Everybody forgets that people buy technology expecting a return on investment (ROI), to make people more efficient. We can help find a solution that increases your revenue by 10%, or gives you 10 working days back a month, or whatever

your company’s target might be.”

The example he uses is Intrinsic’s work with retail giant Next.

Jarvis said: “They went to a design business – a retail specialist – and said ‘can you design our stores so that when clients walk through they feel better and spend more?’

“They went to a training business to ask about staff training.

q&a Age: 44 Highest educational qualification: BA in economics, University of Nottingham Best advice: (Motivational speaker) Damian Hughes talked about the need to separate work and home life. After leaving work and when you’re in the car outside your house, you’ve got to park your work thoughts. Then, when you open the door, you should make your kids and your wife feel special.

It may take a minute – only after that should you go back to work

Proudest achievement: We’ve developed our people to go and enjoy success in life Biggest regret: Having to pass people by sometimes. There are people I have maybe not given as much time to in the past as I could have done. Hopefully experience has helped me to overcome that Still to achieve: We still think we can reach £100m in a three to four year timeframe. My greatest achievement will be to get there and giving our people the safety and security of a strong career

“And they came to us and said ‘can you get more wallet share from our customers using IT?’ There were three different ways to the same end point.

“We told them their business was fundamentally changing – you used to do all your business in your stores, we now think you do more of your business online. “Within that business, they had captured exponential amounts of information about their customers – what they’re looking at, what they’re buying.

“If they’ve kept a customer’s profile and that person went to a store – and if they’ve registered their mobile details with Next – we can start to push data or offers directly to the person in store.

“If I go to Next Directory and look at a pair of jeans, and don’t buy, but I walk into a store and I’ve registered, they can tell me ‘do you realise the jeans are in aisle four?’ It’s tying that information together.

“They agreed with that and after a tendering exercise we’ve just wirelessly enabled their entire retail estate and started the process of connecting that to the back office.”

“That epitomises what we do as a

business. We believe fundamentally in IT. It allows people to connect to people and to information.”

Companies must, says Jarvis, use IT to improve service as well as improving profitability.

He added: “There are lots of black boxes that say ‘ping’, but ultimately it’s about understanding business challenges and how to address them with IT. We help people overcome these challenges with a strong ROI model.”

Intrinsic’s customer base is evenly split between the public and private sectors. It works with a range of public bodies from colleges to “blue light services”, as well as with many North West local authorities.

It has many retail customers, including the Co-op, and has several key customers in the utilities market including United Utilities and Scottish Power. It has several customers in the online betting and gaming sector, many of whom have operations in Gibraltar, while its London office works with many financial and professional services firms, from investment houses to corporate lawyers.

The company also has offices in Reading and Bellshill, Scotland.

big feature post business 13

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Alex

Turner Economists must excel with data ANYONE who has ever put together a complicated spreadsheet for public consumption will know the feeling of taking a deep breath just before pressing the send or publish button.

There is no version of the word processing squiggly red underline drawing your attention to a potential error.

And while there is often a willing gaggle of people happy to read what you have written and impose their own grammar prejudices on your work, that group very quickly disperses the moment you want someone to cast an eye over a spreadsheet.

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to have concurrent and conflicting emotions of sympathy and schadenfreude on reading the news that two Harvard professors had made a mistake or two in a spreadsheet that supports their findings about the rate of economic growth when debt-to-GDP ratio goes above 90%.

While it sounds like a dry, academic debate, the paper, Growth in a Time of Debt, by Prof Carmen Reinhart and Ken Rogoff has been quoted – and relied upon – to justify austerity policies.

The argument that the mistakes by Reinhart and Rogoff were a direct cause in rising unemployment seem to stretch the point too far. Yes, it was an influential piece of work, but it is not the only academic paper in support of austerity. Nor is it as clear-cut as saying that persuasive arguments by academics are somehow overwhelmingly influential on the views and direction of politicians across the world.

The professors acknowledged the errors, which included missing out five of 20 countries in a crucial calculation, were “sobering”. But they remained satisfied it didn’t affect their findings, adding weight to the idea the facts fit the findings and not the other way round.

JK Galbraith, who knew a thing or two about using economics to influence policymakers, once quipped that “economics is extremely useful as a form of employment for economists”.

In a field which requires sophisticated and precise interpretation from extremely noisy data – which inevitably introduces all sorts of bias, accidental or otherwise – economists can ill-afford mistakes, otherwise it becomes a branch of politics and beset by partisanship.

‘Paper was relied upon to justify austerity’ Adam Jarvis hopes to transform Intrinsic Technology into a £100m-turnover business within the next four years Picture: GAVIN TRAFFORD

S

HEFFIELD-BORN Jarvis’s first job in IT was as a telephone salesman at a small computing firm in Matlock, Sphinx Level V. “I started at the bottom,” he said.

“My first salary was £6,500.

“I worked with the most structured, aggressive , inspiring and supportive sales manager the world could have invented. One way or another, with the carrot and the stick, he taught me the ropes in sales.

“When I say sales, it’s about when, where and on what you spend your time. The arch-nemesis in sales is losing time when you don’t have an end point.”

Jarvis then moved to Warrington’s Technology plc, then the largest reseller in the UK, before heading to Nortel, where he spent nine years.

“At the time it was the globe’s largest IT business by market capital,” he said. “It was massive. If you went to BT, they’d probably sell you a Nortel solution – you wouldn’t know that because it said BT on it.

“I used to work with many of its partners – BT was one – and I came across a company called Intrinsic.

“I met Allan and did some great

work with him at Nortel. He offered me a job and the rest is history.”

Intrinsic was founded by Allan Gauld in 1999 as a provider of IT networks. As it developed, it grew to offer voice and conferencing applications, and three years ago, it bought data centre business Dataplex.

Jarvis joined as sales director some eight years ago, taking a small share in the business, and began driving its growth strategy.

In 2011, Mr Gauld was bought out in a deal backed by private equity firm RJD Partners. Jarvis recalled: “From the day I joined where turnover was just over £2m, to where we are now at about £40m, we have gone through rapid growth.

“Allan, having played his part fully, got to the point where he was ready for a fresh challenge.

“The management team and myself were convinced there was huge growth potential in the business. We’ve always worked to this notional figure of £100m. We will need organic growth, which we’ve got a strong track record of achieving, but we also need to acquire if we

want to grow to that level.

“We can grow our footprint in the south more quickly by acquisitive growth than by organic growth.

“It’s highly likely that we will make an acquisition in that area.

“Given the tough market there are deals around that are very good value for money. It’ll take a lot of time but it should be a route we look to take in the next three to 12 months.”

Intrinsic needed an investor to power that growth. And even in the depths of the recession, Jarvis says, Intrinsic attracted strong interest from potential investors.

“We were very well sought after,” he said.

“It wasn’t just about finding somebody prepared to put money in – there was also a courtship to make sure both parties were right for each other. It’s working very well.”

Last June, Jarvis was named as Intrinsic’s CEO. He said: “There’s huge change in our industry and it’s critical that we have someone who can articulate a strategy.”

‘There are deals that are good value for money’

The group today employs 140 people, with more than 90 based at its two sites in Haydock. Jarvis is continuing Intrinsic’s commitment to its local community through working with local colleges, offering apprenticeships and naming Ciaran’s Cause, which raises cash to buy defibrillators, its charity of the year.

As well as rising up the ranks at Intrinsic, Jarvis is also a late-blooming star on the football pitch.

“When I was 11, I had a very bad knee injury,” he said, pulling up his trouser leg to show the scar on his knee. “So my sporting career was a late bloomer.

“I played football all my adult life and then hung up my boots at 36.

“But I’ve just started playing for a veterans’ football team at 44. I’m the youngest player on the team and they remind me of that every single week.

“We started very hesitantly but now we’re on a six-match winning streak. It’s brilliant to play with a load of 40 to 50-something blokes from a complete mix of backgrounds.

“It isn’t about physical contact, it’s about mental agility. I’ve never enjoyed anything like it outside family life or work.”

■ Alex Turner is the general manager of financial training firm Ambitious Minds

14 post business legal

Thursday, April 25, 2013

www.ldplegal.co.uk

ask the expert Peter Mooney, Head of Employment Law at ELAS, on the potential perils of Twitter

Q

OUR business has set up a Twitter account to help drive traffic to our website and engage potential clients. It is currently being run by our marketing graduate, as they have the most personal experience, but I am concerned we don’t have any controls in place to manage how we approach social media. How can we make sure that things don’t go wrong, and what steps can we take if they do?

A

ANYONE operating a social media account should know it is vital to take the rough with the smooth, and under no circumstances to change their online policy when things go wrong, as this can breed a lack of faith among the public.

Indeed, what underpins social media is its transparency and that it can be used as a valuable customer services tool while providing an insight into both the workings and personality behind a company.

What companies can learn is how to manage the risks surrounding the use of social media in business, because as much as they may have security measures in place against unauthorised personnel, the content is ultimately generated by a human being.

Employers can create a tailored, watertight social media policy that provides details of best practice, contains penalties for misconduct and prevents people from giving up confidential information.

Companies should also make sure that they control access to their pages, keeping this limited to a core team.

Letting employees have all-access passes to a company’s social media accounts is risky. A safer solution is to give junior employees limited permission to draft messages, which can then be fed into a queue for senior management to sign off.

They also need to get a handle on a comprehensive password system and employ a master switch for turning on and off employees’ access to different social media accounts.

The solution is single sign-on technology, which enables employees to log into social media accounts with the same username and password used for their company email.

Access can be turned on or off by a central administrator, who holds the real keys to the company’s social profiles.

There is merit too in bringing all social media channels together on to one management platform to ensure that they are centrally monitored, which can reduce the chances of errors being made.

They also allow for better tracking the results of social media campaigns.

If businesses invest in the above measures that will go some way towards protecting a brand’s reputation both in the immediate future and over a long-term period.

For more In association with information on how to make sure your company effectively manages its social media, call ELAS’ experts on 08450 50 40 60.

Professionals unaware of damage of police caution

by Neil Hodgson

POST BUSINESS STAFF

neil.hodgson@liverpool.com

ANYONE accepting a police caution could be catastrophically damaging their future careers, a defence solicitor has warned.

Gary Heaven, a partner and head of criminal law at Warrington’s Quality Solicitors Forshaws Davies Ridgway, said hundreds of people in Merseyside could be affected.

Last year more than 200,000 people in England and Wales received a formal police caution, instead of having their case heard in a criminal court.

The practice has come under the spotlight as the Government launches a major review following accusations that cautions are not being correctly applied just to low-level, first time offenders who admit guilt.

Mr Heaven believes many people arrested for low-level crime end up accepting a police caution as an easy way out, without realising that it shows up on all Disclosure and Barring Service (DSB, formerly CRB) checks – potentially barring people from professions such as teaching, medicine, the law and

Criminal law expert Gary Heaven work with children, as well as restricting foreign travel.

He said: “The key point to remember, if you’re ever arrested, is that you are entitled to free legal advice.

“Some people are so shell-shocked at being taken to a police station they accept a police

caution far too readily, without proper advice, when, in fact, there may be insufficient evidence against them or a perfectly legitimate defence.

“Of course, in circumstances where an offence has clearly been committed, a caution is the best outcome for a defendant. But in my experience, people very often accept cautions even though they don’t necessarily accept they are guilty of an offence.

“They think it’s the lesser of two evils and a quick passport out of an unpleasant situation.

“But formal police cautions are always recorded and show up in any DSB or sex offender register checks. It is foolish to accept guilt, without proper legal advice, when it could potentially be catastrophic for your future career.”

The Ministry of Justice review is due to examine the impact of cautions on career prospects as well looking at the inconsistent or inappropriate use of cautions by different police forces.

The Ministry said it would involve the police, Crown Prosecution Service, victims’ organisations, the judiciary and the legal community. The review is due to report back at the end of May

MSIF backs latest expansion plan for Vantage Law

Companies should make sure they control access to their pages

From left: Lisa Greenhalgh (MSIF) Mark Pollard and Samantha Peddie (Vantage Law), Chris Walters (MSIF) at the law firm’s Liverpool city centre headquarters

PERSONAL injury specialist Vantage Law is expanding, with further support from Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF).

The firm, based in Water Street, was set up in 2010 by managing director and solicitor Mark Pollard and personal injury specialist Samantha Peddie.

Mr Pollard said: “While personal injury law is a competitive marketplace we take on some of the more unusual claims. This differentiates us from other firms and has helped us build up a solid income stream.

“To maintain this level of service we need to bring in someone else and we needed a bit of working capital to enable us to do this.”

MSIF investment director Chris Walters said: “Whereas a lot of personal injury firms employ nonskilled staff to process claims, Vantage Law has the experience and expertise required to oversee the more complex cases. We are very happy to be supporting them again.”

Poorly performing solicitors risk negligence cases SOLICITORS face more professional negligence claims after a change to court rules in England and Wales this month.

They are aimed at stopping what Lord Justice Jackson referred to as a “culture of toleration of delay and non- compliance with court orders”.

It has long been a duty of solicitors to comply with court timetables on behalf of clients.

Prior to the reforms the potential damage caused by, say, missing a deadline could often be mitigated or avoided by the solicitor making a successful application to

court to be excused.

The new rules make it much tougher for lawyers to escape penalty when they fail to hit deadlines.

Paul Lunt, a partner at Liverpool’s Brabners Chaffe Street, is one of the lawyers behind specialist website solicitors negligence.co.uk which

seeks to resolve problems experienced by clients at the hands of under-performing solicitors.

He said: “Parties and their legal representatives must play by the rules and obey court orders.

“If they fail to do this they risk the court taking

a much more restrictive approach to relief from sanctions. We expect an increase in professional negligence claims against solicitors who should, quite rightly, expect to be sued if they are not able to remedy any act or omission in relation to the litigation process.”

women in business post business 15

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Paula hopes her Sunday roast sarnie brings home the bacon

by Neil Hodgson

POST BUSINESS STAFF

neil.hodgson@liverpool.com

PAULA SMITH is hoping her distinctive “roast dinner sarnie” can clinch her glory in a national competition.

Ms Smith, who has run the Let’s Lunch sandwich shop in Birkenhead’s The Grange and Pyramids Shopping Centre for the past decade, is one of seven North West contenders shortlisted to go through to the final of this year’s Sandwich Designer of the Year competition in London next month.

She is pinning her hopes on a mouth-watering creation that has been wowing her customers since she launched it last November.

Her signature roast chicken dinner sandwich is built from slices of juicy chicken, stuffing, gravy, and real roast potatoes.

And Ms Smith, 43, revealed that the version she will be preparing for the grand final will have an added ingredient which she hopes will be the secret weapon that mops up the opposition.

It was the result of a competition she ran to mark the 10th anniversary of Let’s Lunch last November that the idea for the novel roast dinner sandwich was cooked up.

Ms Smith, who lives with husband Lee and their six-year-old son Harvey in Wallasey, said: “The competition was for our customers to come up with a new sandwich with the best one being made up for sale at Let’s Lunch.

“One of my customers, Pete Walsh, suggested the roast dinner sandwich and we chose it because I’d never heard of anything like it being done before.

“I make it with lovely fresh ingredients. It can be based on chicken or turkey, or even beef or lamb.

“I then put on gravy, but to bind it together and stop it being runny I add stuffing. The other key ingredient is potatoes, roasted the traditional way in duck fat.”

She added: “Since I introduced it and started selling it for £2.50, the sandwich has proved very popular. In fact, one lady comes in for it three or four times a week because she enjoys it so much.

“When I decided to enter this year’s Sandwich Designer of the Year competition I knew it had to be my roast dinner one I was going to make as I reckoned no-one else would think of it.”

Her strategy was correct because at the North West heat she beat stiff competition from around 20 other design-

Paula Smith, founder of Let’s Lunch, with her distinctive roast chicken dinner sandwich ers who collectively submitted around 80 sandwich ideas to become one of two winners in the chicken category who go forward to the final at the Lancaster Hotel.

Ms Smith said: “It was tough going as the competition in the heat was really excellent. Many of them were actually chefs.

“Only six people were supposed to be picked by the judges from the North West, but in the end they chose an extra finalist – which was myself – as

the entries were so good they couldn’t make up their minds.

“I’m now really looking forward to competing in London. This time I’ll be up against the very best sandwich designers from all over the United Kingdom, but I’m confident of success.

“On the day we have half an hour to make our sandwiches.

“I will be doing my usual ingredients, but I’ll be adding something I don’t normally use. It’s cabbage fried in bacon fat and incorporating bacon

bits. It’s my secret weapon,” she said.

Derek Millar, Grange and Pyramids commercial director. said: “Paula’s sandwiches are lovely and I know she has a terrific following so I am not surprised her entry stood out to judges.”

Last year’s Sandwich Designer of the Year was Richard Henderson of Cheddar, in Somerset, who won the title with a butter brioche sliced apple, raspberry and Italian mascarpone toastie.

Tyrer & Hart Property Specialists in city centre expansion A LIVERPOOL-BASED estate and lettings agency has enjoyed such success with its new business that it has had to expand from its Anfield base into the city centre.

Tyrer and Hart Property Specialists, which opened its doors last year, was originally based in Townsend Lane in Anfield.

Following its quick growth and commendation at the national Negotiator Magazine awards in London at the end of 2012, the partners have now expanded to Seymour Terrace in the city centre. The women-led busi-

ness, which was founded by Heather Tyrer and Antonia Hart-Williams, was highly commended in the Newcomer of the Year category for the national awards.

Ms Hart-Williams said: “We are delighted that we have already been recognised nationally for our work and are pleased to report that the business is growing, despite the current economic climate.

“We see ourselves as a very ethical agency and are looking forward to helping more people across Merseyside with their accommodation and being able to help in

the regeneration of a number of areas.”

Tyrer and Hart said it is also among the few letting agents on Merseyside to have been awarded Class (Citywide Landlord Accreditation Safety Scheme) Accreditation by Liverpool City Council.

The company ensures that property meets the standards set out in the scheme and signs up to a code of management practice.

It says it has specialist knowledge of the property market in Everton, Runcorn, Sefton village, Southport and St Helens regions.

Halton to host new business network A NETWORK for Halton’s business and professional women has been launched by the borough’s chamber of commerce.

Called Network Fusion, the organisation’s first event will be hosted by O2 at its offices in Preston Brook on Wednesday, May 1, 9.30-11.30am.

The session will feature two speakers, as well as opportunities for networking.

The event is free and chamber chief executive Paula Cain is keen to encourage as many women as possible to get involved.

She said: “This network will be different to previous women’s business groups because we want to encourage a much broader spread of professions and backgrounds.

“As well as women running their own businesses, we would also like to attract professional women from the public, private and third sectors, who are involved at management level in companies and organisations in Halton and the surrounding area.

“Women have a different approach to networking and doing business than men and I think a group like this could be beneficial for enterprise and business growth in a wide range of areas.”

Speakers at the opening event will be Ann McCracken, O2 communications manager, and Helen Carey, Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire, former national Women’s Institute I chair.

To reserve a free place contact Nicola Holland on 01928 516142 or email Nicola.holland@haltonchamber.co.uk

POST

MOBILE

For News, Sport and Business on your phone From left: Heather Tyrer and Antonia Hart-Williams

Text LDP to 67800

16 post business location

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Property sector needs to get to grips with new ways of funding development

view point

by Nicola Rigby, associate, planning, development and regeneration, GVA DEPENDING on who you speak to, there is either no funding available to support property development – or the plethora of funding that is available is often too confusing and

Seddon changes to Novus NOVUS PROPERTY SOLUTIONS is the new name of property maintenance specialist Seddon Property Services, based at the Bridgewater Complex, Canal Street, Bootle.

Novus chairman Stuart Seddon is predicting new growth and new jobs at the rebranded company, which delivers planned and reactive maintenance and refurbishment services across the UK. He said: “The Novus name gives us a strong identity in the market.”

Key local schemes for Novus include a range of work for the Plus Dane housing association, including painting and pre-painting repairs as well as boiler and kitchen replacement.

hard to understand and access.

Either way, it feels like we are at something of a watershed moment when it comes to development finance.

The message from central Government is clear – the tap is still on but old funding ways have gone and the new world is evolving.

This has been evident in the many sporadic initiatives that have emerged over the last 18 months: JESSICA, the Regional Growth Fund, the Growing Places Fund, Get Britain Building, to name but a few.

These funds have had significant investment totals attached to them,

with the Regional Growth Fund alone totalling £2.6bn to date.

Moving forward, the Government is to introduce the Single Local Growth Fund to deliver priorities established by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) through Local Growth Deals.

There is a hope that this will bring some clarity and consistency to the range of funds currently operating, not least as a return to a one-stop-shop that the Regional Development Agencies previously

offered, albeit this time at the local (Local Enterprise Partnership) rather than regional level.

One thing is sure – for development the recent emphasis on repayable finance will remain.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-2020 is likely to be the key grant funding regime in operation going forwards and therefore its ability to unlock strategically-significant schemes with viability issues must not be squandered.

The responsibility is on LEPs to

‘There is hope that this will bring clarity’

ensure it is intelligently used, enabling targeted investments to be made that generate the maximum benefits to the locality.

This will be critical in the north, where the shift away from mainstream availability of grant finance presents a significant challenge to delivery given the very real viability issues faced.

The emerging preference by government for repayable finance initiatives reinforces ERDF’s position as the crown jewel of public funding.

As this funding landscape changes, we as a development industry must change with it.

Venmore Auctions reporting 90% of lots sold at April event

by Tony McDonough POST BUSINESS STAFF

tony.mcdonough@liverpool.com

Ronan Connolly from Venmore

BUSINESS to BUSINESS COMMERCIAL PREMISES

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Further information please contact Neil Dryburgh or Euan Ross at

VENMORE is claiming to be the first Mersey property auction house since 2007 to sell 90% of lots in a single event.

At its auction at Liverpool Town Hall on April 11, the city centre-based firm sold 47 out of 51 lots, generating receipts of more than £3.1m. Auction sales manager, Ronan Connolly, told Post Business that post-auction deals could push that figure up further still.

Meanwhile, Wirral-based rival Smith and Sons is gearing up for its next auction at the beginning of May. The Venmore event offered a mix of commercial and residential properties and Mr Connolly added: “There was a lot of competition at the auction and plenty of juicy bidding wars going on between investors making it a very exciting auction room.

“People are realising that this is now a fantastic time to invest in property as prices are so low and banks are offering little return on savings.

“Because of this there is a lot of new money coming to the investment market as well as those regular long-standing investors.

“Not only is there more demand from new investors, but it is proving that the right type of properties at the right price will sell and that we clearly know the market.”

At the latest event, Venmore offered 25% more properties than this time last year and average sales will be 91.5% by the end of this auction cycle.

Mr Connolly added: “Hopefully this is a sign that we are moving forward and confidence is coming back to Merseyside.”

Its next auction is on Thursday, May 29.

All of Merseyside’s regular operators – which also include Sutton Kersh and Pugh & Co – have seen a surge in auction activity in recent months.

Chris Johnson of Smith and Sons Smith and Sons will be hoping to maintain its momentum on Wednesday, May 1, at the Village Hotel in Bromborough.

It will offer a range of residential and commercial properties.

Commercial lots include a block of lock-up garages in Oxton, a refurbished office building off Hamilton Square and an MOT testing station in New Ferry.

Chris Johnson, auctioneer at Smith and Sons, said: “We have some real treasures in this auction, set at incredibly attractive guides.

“We have a large residential investment portfolio for sale with properties in Pensby, Eastham, Nantwich, Liverpool, Sandbach and Warrington “These have protected tenancies and should appeal to seasoned investors who are looking to the long term.”

RICS pushes for empty rates move THE Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the North West is repeating its call to the Government to take action on empty property rates (EPR).

Its latest research shows surveyors in the region believe the “business tax” on vacant buildings is significantly harming economic recovery.

The full RICS Empty Property Rates Report has now

been published on the organisation’s website (www.rics.org) and provides updated evidence on the affect of empty property rates on the high street and the wider impact on development, investment and growth.

Key opinions from North West respondents include: ■ 92% viewed EPR as a barrier to town centre regeneration

■ 89% felt the policy was restrictive to overall economic growth ■ 88% considered EPR a significant deterrent for speculative building Phil Kelly, director at Petty Chartered Surveyors – which have offices in Liverpool, Burnley and Manchester, said business rates on vacant premises were “acting as a major barrier to speculative development”.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Chester hotel on sale for £850,000

AGENTS at Christie + Co have been instructed to find a buyer for the 28-bedroom Stafford Hotel in Chester.

Located in City Road between the railway station and the city centre, the hotel has an asking price of £850,000 for the freehold interest with vacant possession.

Martin Davis, regional director at Christie + Co, said: “The Stafford Hotel is likely to be of interest to either local regional operators looking for a well-located city centre hotel for continued use or to speculators, developers or student accommodation providers for alternative use, subject to obtaining planning permission and any other necessary consents.

“The hotel includes 28 en-suite letting rooms, owner’s/manager’s accommodation, as well as a bar and a restaurant.”

location

post business 17

City is bottom of the ‘Big Nine’ but more deals are on the way Image of Capital & Centric’s plans for Churchill House in Tithebarn Street

by Tony McDonough POST BUSINESS STAFF

tony.mcdonough@liverpool.com

LIVERPOOL’S city centre office market lagged behind other UK regional centres for lettings in the first quarter of 2013, a new survey shows.

GVA’s quarterly “The Big Nine” report tracks office deals in nine regional centres across the country, including Liverpool.

The city came bottom of the table for lettings during the period, seeing deals totalling 30,000 sq ft.

This was nearly 10,000 sq ft behind eighth-placed Cardiff. Top of the table was Manchester which saw 274,800 sq ft let followed by Leeds at 229,148 sq ft.

Liverpool’s total lagged its own quarterly average which stands at more than 71,000 sq ft.

However, in the report, GVA said it expected more lettings in the city in the coming months.

It stated: “In Liverpool there are a number of deals in the pipeline and some sizeable requirements that need to move over the next 12 to 18 months, particularly in the financial and business services sector.”

Liverpool is seeing a steady “churn” of deals for grade B space but there is a concern among commercial agents in the city that at the moment there is

Advertising Feature Independent financial advice

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ICHARD Jones of Security Financial Services recalls that a potential client who wished to discuss pensions had now reported that he had been unable to keep in touch because he had been off work because he had a stroke... and he was only in his early fifties.

He also refers to reports that journalist and political commentator Andrew Marr has also had a stroke in his early fifties and he was a regular runner, fit and generally looked after himself.

Richard says this talk of health issues comes with a degree of discomfort because he’ll be 50 next year and is not especially fit.

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Richard explains that this

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We are in a new tax year, and according to Richard it’s a good time to spring clean your finances, check you have some critical illness cover, and check your life insurance is sufficient and the premiums are competitive.

Richard said: “Have you got a policy that will pay you an income if you were made redundant or couldn’t work with ill health?

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no grade A space in the pipeline.

There is still accommodation available at St Paul’s Square and 20 Chapel Street but once that is occupied the only significant accommodation in the central business district will be refurbished space.

Downing and Bruntwood have led the way in that part of the market and claim their accommodation is as good as grade A and cheaper.

Last week, Manchester developer Capital & Centric announced it was to embark on a £6m refurbishment of Churchill House in Tithebarn Street.

The eight-storey building comprises 40,000 sq ft of space and has been empty for eight years.

The ground floor of the site was formerly home to the Golf Bar. Capital & Centric plans to strip the building back to its concrete structure and has already obtained planning consent for the project.

The GVA report says there continues to be “little movement” in headline rents. Liverpool has the second-lowest headline rent of the nine cities at £21 per sq ft – just ahead of Newcastle at £20 per sq ft.

In Liverpool, the net effective rent – the amount occupiers pay once incentives are taken into account – stands at £15.23 per sq ft for grade A space, unchanged from a year ago.

Independent Financial Advisers in your area Anglesey Security Financial Services

Ty Llwyd, Llanfaelog,Ty Croes, Anglesey LL63 5TY Contact: Richard Jones Email richard@security-financial.co.uk Phone: 01407 811268 Mobile: 07710 468970

Denbighshire Vale Financial Services

info@valefinancialservices.com Studio One,Town Hall, Crown Lane, Denbigh LL16 3TB Tel: 01745 814962 Fax: 01745 814446 Contact: Glyn B. Jones info@valefinancialservices.com

Liverpool Investec Wealth & Investment

The Plaza, 100 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9AB. Tel: 0151 227 2030. Fax: 0151 227 2444 Email: paul.brokenshar@investecwin.co.uk Website: www.investecwin.co.uk Contact: Paul Brokenshar

Why choose an independent financial adviser

Because it pays to take an unbiased view

Those listed above are either an appointed representative of a network or national which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority or are directly authorised and regulated

18 post business economic development

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Maritime sub-contractors Knowledge economy

by Bill Gleeson

POST BUSINESS STAFF

bill.gleeson@liverpool.com

W

HEN Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird collapsed into administration in 2001, prospects seemed bleak for all who worked there.

It looked as if shipyard work would dwindle to a trickle. Planners and developers considered putting the land to other uses, including residential property development.

However, others weren’t so pessimistic.

Cammell Laird managing director John Syvret eventually bought the yard and has since succeeded in winning hundreds of millions of pounds worth of contracts from the Ministry of Defence and a vast range of shipping groups. While Mr Syvret’s story is well chronicled, what is not so readily reported is the emergence of a cluster of small independent sub-contracting firms owned by people who used to work for Cammell Laird until the 2001 collapse.

Many of these are now successful businesses in their own right, providing services to maritime-related customers both on Merseyside and further afield.

One such firm is IPS Marine Fabrications, which completed a three-year contract with Cammell Laird to supply welding services for the HMS Queen Elizabeth II aircraft carrier, part of which has recently been built at the Birkenhead shipyard. The contract saw between six and eight IPS men work on the project helping construct huge flight deck modules.

Managing director Paul Smith, who founded IPS with co-director Peter Hillan in 2001, said: “We have a long-standing relationship as a supplier to Cammell Laird and this was a terrific contract for IPS.” “It was a complex and demanding job but one which was a good fit for our experience and expertise. The main work we undertook was the drawn arc stud welding. The prime advantage of drawn arc stud welding is that it provides very strong and reliable welding under a broad range of conditions. It essentially produces a full cross-sectional weld, forming a bond that is stronger than the surrounding metal.”

Mr Smith added: “We are very proud to work for Cammell Laird and to work on a project of this size and prestige. It really shows the depth of expertise in the supply chain here on Merseyside and in the North West. Moreover, the market for drawn arc stud welding is a big one and not many firms have the track record and skill set that we do. We want to use this project to promote our expertise to the wider marine and industrial sectors.”

IPS also works on Cammell Laird’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary contracts. It has also worked for Stena Line at Twelve Quays in Birkenhead and in Heysham, where it works for Seatrucks and Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

Away from ships, it carries out

Staff member Sam Waite at work at MPE Interiors in Birkenhead welding and insulation work for hospitals and factories and has turnover in the region of £2m, a tenfold increase over the last decade.

Another Birkenhead business that emerged from the ruins of the 2001 shipyard collapse was MPE Interiors, an interior fittings and insulation firm set up by business partners Cliff Grainger and Jon Whetnall.

Mr Grainger said: “We were involved in the outfitting of the dreaded Costa Classica. When we were made redundant we decided to start our own business. We helped finish the work on the Classica.

“We are still heavily reliant on

Cammell Laird. We do most of our work in the yard on the commercial ferries and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and the new aircraft carrier.”

The firm helped install pipework and cabling inside the new Queen Elizabeth II carrier.

Mr Grainger said: “The work is continuing up in Rosythe and will continue for the next six months.”

The firm has also worked for Stena Line and MPE Interiors is currently involved in the internal fit out of two new builds for Western Ferries, the hulls for which are being assembled in Cammell Laird’s construction hall.

‘Market for drawn arc stud welding is a big one’

Mr Grainger said that while he is now used to running his own business, it can be very stressful “because you don’t know where the next job is coming from”.

He continued : “We were very lucky to have to the goodwill of Cammell Laird and their help.

“They trust us. A lot of it is about trust and goodwill.”

The next step for MPE would be to win “market facing category” status from the Ministry of Defence, which would allow the firm to bid directly for work, but that is not easy.

Mr Grainger said: “We would have to convince the MoD that we are capable and that we can produce the goods at value for money.

“We would like to grow the business and get more customers, pos-

sibly move into the cruise ship market.”

MPE also manufactures ship furniture at its own joinery workshops.

Mr Grainger said: “Most of the furniture can’t be bought off the shelf.

“We have to use a range of materials. On fast ferries, for example, you might have to use aluminium because it is light weight, so we don’t just deal with wood.”

Another ambition is to break into the superyacht market.

“When the time is right, we will have a stab at it,” said Mr Grainger.

“That would mean having squads of men prepared to travel and more controlled manufacture of the furniture to a very high standard. We might need to invest in better equipment. We would gladly do that.”

economic development post business 19

Thursday, April 25, 2013

grow on Wirral

diary of an entrepreneur I HAVE always been very creative and worked in various marketing, events, visual merchandising and design roles.

In my previous role as an events co-ordinator I worked long hours and often travelled with my work.

I realised that once I started a family it would be difficult to continue with such a demanding job and began to think about how I might work for myself.

In the background I had been working on the design for the Izzy Melody (IM) BabyBangle, which is a product for children to chew on to help ease the pain of teething and can also be worn as a piece of jewellery by mum.

While I was on maternity leave with my second child I decided that it was ‘now or never’ and I decided that I was going to take the plunge and set up my own business.

I had very specific requirements and went to work to source the right materials. In fact, I was told many times over that I was being too specific, but I stuck to my principles and it has paid off.

The IM BabyBangle is made from medical-grade silicone which is dishwasher-proof, can be steam sterilised, and cooled in the fridge or freezer.

Safety was, of course, the primary consideration and to enable me to ensure full quality control I wanted the product to be manufactured in the UK, which is very unusual for baby products.

The next step was to find the funding to enable me to get the

MPE Interiors co-founders Cliff Grainger, left, and John Whetnall

Co-founders Peter Hillan, left, and Paul Smith from IPS Marine

Birkenhead firm SeaKing serves global marketplace FOUNDED by former Cammell Laird executive Dave Gillam in 2001, SeaKing Electrical now serves clients that include Thomson Cruises and a West African shipping group.

Earlier this year, the Birkenhead-based firm completed a contract on a tug belonging to Congo based Andofe Shipping Management.

SeaKing Electrical

group business development manager Neil Mellenchip said at the time: “This was a terrific deal demonstrating the global reach and ambition of the firm.

“It is the latest in a number of international projects which have seen our specialist engineers and technicians working across the globe in places including the Suez Canal, Russia, Malaysia and

in the Caribbean.

The Congo project took around one week to complete.

“Work was required to the bow thruster which enables the boat to manoeuvre and hold position in the water.

“It is the second time we have delivered electrical engineering for the AHT Independence.

“We initially carried out work in Bidston Dock

when she was stationed in the River Mersey.“ SeaKing is launching a new business development initiative to target the West African oil and gas exploration and drilling market.

SeaKing recently completed work on Thomson’s cruise liner Thomson Dream.

Eight SeaKing staff delivered the work in Tenerife and Hamburg.

Alissa Koopal of Izzy Melody

product manufactured, packed and launched to the marketplace.

I had some money of my own, but not enough to cover all my costs.

I got introduced to Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) and they provided £9,000 through their Small Loans Fund, and a further £2,500 through the Start Up Loans Programme.

With this money I was then able to launch the product at tradeshows, including the UK Baby and Toddler show in hometown Liverpool and the Harrogate Nursery Fair for trade.

The response I have had has been amazing.

The IM BabyBangle is now stocked in more than 10 stores and boutiques in the UK, Ireland, Italy and Australia.

There has also been lots of interest from other stores and distributors in the UK and internationally, including major retailers, and I am expecting to secure further contracts in the coming weeks.

It has been really hard work to get to where I am and I have had to take some risks, but it has been worth it.

The flipside is that I do get a degree of flexibility so that I can do the school run and be there for my children when they need me.

The future is exciting and I am now working on building Izzy Melody further and introducing more products to the range.

Alissa Koopal is founder of Izzy Melody

20 post business professional

quality legal Paula Widdison, Head of Family Law at Quality Solicitors Jackson & Canter, on help available when relationships end THERE is no doubt that running a business is hard work. For some it becomes an all-consuming passion which takes a great deal of time and energy.

Where do spouses, partners and children fit in? Making money to provide a good lifestyle for your family is what spurs us on, but it can also lead to the break-up of relationships with devastating consequences for all concerned.

For those in business, the cost of relationship breakdown can be very high indeed, in more senses than one. In a marriage all assets can be up for grabs, but at least there are some reasonable ground rules to determine how the assets of the marriage should be divided.

Where an unmarried couple are living together, things can get a great deal more complicated. Then there is the cost of legal advisors. The tales of how lawyers cash in are a common discussion in social settings of various kinds.

We have been listening to our clients. We scrapped hourly rates a long time ago. Why should your legal costs depend on how long your lawyer takes to do the job? The more inefficient he or she is, the higher the fee.

Great for lawyers, but appalling for clients. With a fixed fee you know where you stand and can budget for the costs of your legal work.

We also know that many clients want us to do business on line. We have developed a series of forms on line so clients can provide us with the basic information upon which we can give accurate advice.

Why should you pay to sit in front of a lawyer to take down your name and address and your basic details? These can be provided by you in your own time. You provide the information.

We provide the expertise through an efficient and collaborative way of dealing with legal issues.

We call the service: “Family Sense – making sense of the law when relationships break down,” a package which includes: Fixed fees, family forms on line 24/7, your personal lawyer, mediation and collaborative law solutions and even a financial product to help fund the fees involved.

Our lawyers have a wide range of externally-audited quality marks and accreditations and are trained to focus in on finding effective solutions to your individual problems.

We cover a wide range of legal issues including divorce and civil partnerships and related financial matters, living together arrangements, disputes about arrangements for children, adoption, domestic violence and care proceedings.

Not all the pain can be taken away from these difficult situations. However, at least we are trying to find ways through that align with your aspirations when you find yourself with a relationship problem.

We believe that Family Sense does indeed make sense. We always do our best to find a way through the problems.

■ Paula Widdison is Head of Family Law at Quality Solicitors Jackson & Canter. Contact pwiddison@jacksoncanter.co.uk, 0151 282 1700.

We know many clients want us to do business on line

Thursday, April 25, 2013

NW professionals enjoy higher standard of living LIVING standards are higher for North West professionals than those in the South, according to a report by digital marketing recruitment specialists The Candidate.

The research showed that even though salaries are higher in the South, with the cost of living significantly

fill their roles.

The research, which was part of a wider ‘Go North’ campaign, found that the average salary for a North West digital marketing professional was around £25,001, while in London pay was only marginally higher at £29,583.

Whereas, the living

costs displayed a sizeable difference. The data represented a 33.54% higher cost of living in London than in the North West. This was based on consumer prices, including rent, food, shopping and socialising.

Accommodation prices were the most significantly different

with the average rental costs in London more than 109.68% higher than in the North West.

Candidate’s managing partner Colin Telford said: “The variation in rental costs was the biggest find, and it was a surprise to find out just how expensive living in London can be.”

Entrepreneur in capital call to support Liverpool

by Tony McDonough POST BUSINESS STAFF

tony.mcdonough@liverpool.com

MORE than 70 London-based companies have been urged to give their support to Liverpool’s bid to raise its international business profile.

They attended the latest “It’s Liverpool in London” event in the capital and were told how Liverpool is competing with other European cities in the so-called “place race”.

Addressing the attendees was Michael Hayman, one of the UK’s leading PR professionals and co-founder of PR consultancy company, Seven Hills.

He told the audience: “Cities all over world are involved in the place race and the race is all about recovery.

“One of the things to get fit for that race is to focus on the city as a brand. Just in the same way as every little help works for Tesco, cities have stories and these need to be managed. The message is clear – the best story will win the place race.”

Mr Hayman urged business people in London to throw their support behind Liverpool’s upcoming major business events, Accelerate 2013 and the International Festival for Business (IFB) 2014.

He added: “Liverpool has been making great strides in recent years to position itself as a city ready for business.

“Events such as GEC 2012, Accelerate 2013 and the IFB 2014 are not only important as festivals, but also because of the message they provide that Liv-

Michael Hayman told the delegates that Liverpool is now a ‘city ready for business’ erpool means business.”

Seven Hills, named the UK’s fastest growing PR consultancy

by PR Week, was also the lead PR agency for Liverpool’s successful Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2012.

The organisation is currently acting as the interim lead PR Agency for IFB 2014, which will be the largest trade event the UK has seen for 60 years and will

position Liverpool as the “world’s primary business destination” during June and July 2014.

Stuart Gilchrest, director of real estate company Euasia, believes that the It’s Liverpool in London headquarters provided an ideal location for the event.

He said: “The Liverpool in London initiative is all about creating place awareness so this

is the perfect venue for such a topic. Liverpool Vision and the It’s Liverpool in London team really work on promoting Liverpool’s unique selling points and identity. Liverpool, after all is a city like no-other.”

Liverpool in London’s next Business Club will take place on the June 20, 2013. For more information visit www.itsliverpoolinlondon.co.uk

on the move ■

In association with

In Business for your Business

more expensive, a Northern professional is left with more disposable income to save and invest and live a higher quality of life.

Despite this, there is a huge skills shortage of marketing professionals with digital expertise in the North West, with many employers struggling to

Frances Molloy – re-appointed as chair

LIVERPOOL Community Health NHS Trust has announced the re-appointment of its chair, Frances Molloy, and three other non-executive directors in Wally Brown, Sue Ryrie, and Eileen Quinn.

It has also announced the appointment of a new non-executive director with a clinical background. Chartered physiotherapist and clinical specialist Debbie

Morton who currently sits as a chair of the Fitness to Practice panels, which are part of the regulatory function of the General Dental Council.

■

IT services company adept4 has appointed Steven Oxley to oversee the financial aspects of its programme of continued growth and expansion.

Mr Oxley brings more than 20 years’ experience as a financial director in

varied sectors including manufacturing, contracting (mechanical and electrical), wholesale distribution, training and development, to the role.

The company is headquartered in Daresbury, with offices in Aberdeen and Cockermouth and data centre facilities in London, Bracknell, Newport and Runcorn.

■

WALLASEY print firm LT Print Group

is strengthening its sales team with the appointment of Rhiannon Robertson-Wade.

Ms Robertson-Wade will focus on securing new business and developing sales with existing customers. She has a strong print sales background having worked for Print Search Ltd for two years and most recently for the Call Print Group/Redwood Press based in Liverpool.

style post business 21

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Barristers putting the art and sole into top range footwear

Neil Hodgson looks at changing trends among business people stepping out in style

T

HE old adage goes that you can tell an awful lot about a man by his shoes – clearly a view given short shrift by former Tory Chancellor Kenneth Clarke with his penchant for brown Hush Puppies.

A crisply tailored suit, an elegant shirt and tie can set the standard, but a hand-crafted, top notch pair of shoes can set it all off impeccably.

Classic English tailor Gieves and Hawkes provides a bespoke shoe offer alongside its classic garments.

Nick Collier, manager of their MetQuarter store, said they can provide bench-made shoes made in the home of the nation’s cobblers, Northampton.

“They are not far off hand-made.

Every part of the shoe has to be leather and they are mostly traditional and brogue with a Goodyear welted sole. The upper will last a lifetime if you keep them in shoe trees.”

A pair of these will set you back between £300 and £400, but for the seriously stylish the tailor sells bespoke shoes made in Savile Row that start at £2,000.

Mr Collier said: “We can have what you want made for you. You are involved in the design process and a cutter would come to Liverpool to see you and make a wooden last just for you.”

He added: “There are not many places outside London that order them.”

In the seven years that Gieves and Hawkes has been in Liverpool, he said

Cobbler Fred Murtagh, who has been inundated with requests to repair high-end fashion shoes at his shop in Fenwick Street, in the heart of Liverpool’s central business district Picture: JAMES MALONEY no-one has ordered a bespoke shoe.

But some people clearly do. Just ask Fred Murtagh who owns the Keys & Heels cobblers in Fenwick Street, in the shadow of Liverpool’s law courts.

He said they re-sole and heel hand-made shoes, mostly for barristers and some office staff.

“Most of the hand-made shoes are now made in London. It’s a dying art.

“Barristers will travel to London to get a wooden last made and they can pay up to £3,000 for a pair of shoes.

“But when you do pay something like £3,000, they can last you up to 30 years because the leather is so good.”

He said hand-made shoes were almost always brogues, but they can now be quite modern: “It’s like everything, fashion changes.”

He added: “Women, mostly businesswomen, also have their shoes hand-made sometimes because of their fittings.

“Some people just have a fascination with shoes. But not everyone is Imelda Marcos.

“A quality pair of shoes can last you a lifetime because these shoes fit you like a glove.”

BEAUTIFUL high shoes that don’t hurt . . . ahhh, fashion’s holy grail.

There is a fact I must state, high shoes hurt, maybe not immediately and they may not cause actual bodily harm (blisters and such like) but generally, after a while, they cause some type of discomfort.

As a heel lover I have tried every possible trick to avoid the pinch, buying a bigger size, wearing them in around the house, Vaseline to stop them rubbing – I’ve had shoes stretched, bought special plasters and then the priciest option of all. . . buying expensive shoes.

In fashion the general consensus is that designer shoes are crafted in a superior way, using softer leather and are likely to have a padded sole, but have you ever considered having shoes made to measure?

We do it with dresses all the time, bespoke fashion is considered “the norm” but is having shoes commissioned too much of a luxury?

I personally have always worried handmade shoes may look artisan or worse, orthopaedic, but it seems the demand for shoes that are both comfortable and easy on the eye has led to a return to the traditional cordwainer.

Pricey? Yes. Worth the investment? Depends how much you value your feet . . .

■ JOANNE WATKINSON is Liverpool Post fashion columnist

past business – nostalgia When the Iron Lady told striking Halewood workers to ‘pull up their socks’

Even one of the most distinctive voices in British politics had to shout to be heard at Ford’s Halewood plant in 1978

THE Halewood car factory, operated by Jaguar Land Rover, is today regarded as one of the most efficient in the world. But, as documents filed at the Margaret Thatcher Foundation reveal, under Ford’s ownership in the 1970s and 1980s it was a symbol of UK inefficiency.

Mrs Thatcher’s visit to the Halewood site in June 1978, as leader of the opposition, sparked some controversy when workers’ convenors declined her invitation to meet them.

But, The Times reported, she won a “cordial welcome” from workers. Plant manager Thomas Smith, formerly of the Black Watch, said she toured the plant at “light infantry pace” – and she even surprised her staff by jumping into a test car and driving it down a factory aisle.

One wonders if she

recalled that welcome in later years when she referred to Halewood’s industrial relations woes.

In a radio interview in 1980, she said: “We’ve had problems in the car industry, I am not responsible for those problems, I’m not responsible for the fact that at Halewood, on which a lot of public money has been spent, the workforce produced far less per head then they do in Germany.

“They’re responsible for that, their management, and their unions and they must pull up their socks and not turn around and blame me.”

In October 1981, Lynda Rouse of the Conservative Research Department, wrote to Mrs Thatcher’s aide, Ian Gow, with a cutting from the New York Times that she said “might be useful for illustration of our low productivity

Mrs Thatcher in Church Street, Liverpool, in 1976 and overmanning”.

It notes the Ford Escort plants in Halewood and Saarlouis, West Germany, appeared identical, but performed very differently.

Bill Hayden, of Ford, said: “Our standards say it should take something like 20 man- hours of labour in both the body and assembly plants to make an Escort.

At Saarlouis, they do it with 21 hours. At Halewood

it takes 40 hours.”

Interviewed by LWT’s Brian Walden in 1983, Mrs Thatcher said her reforms to trade union laws meant there were “very few” strikes in the private sector.

But she added: “There have been one or two tragic ones at Halewood. My goodness, just in a place where they need jobs they put them at stake.”

ALISTAIR HOUGHTON

22 post business end piece

trading gossip ■

YOU can have your cake, and eat it, it seems, as Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) discovered recently.

The airport welcomed the inaugural Copenhagen flight by budget airline Norwegian earlier this month as part of a new relationship with the airline that JLA hopes will lead to further growth in Scandinavian routes.

Former Liverpool FC and Denmark star Jan Molby was on hand to greet passengers, and the airport commissioned The Cake Shop in Ranelagh Street to create a special cake to celebrate the occasion, pictured below with, from left, JLA chief executive Matthew Thomas, Norwegian PR guru Daniel Kirchhoff, and Jan Molby.

Smiles all-round from JLA and Norwegian for a highly successful launch day.

But a Twitter campaign by Norwegian and JLA also ensured victory

for Liverpool in an online reader poll conducted by aviation website anna.aero for the second part of their Best Cake of the Week, Summer 2013 Season.

With 1,083 votes, the Liverpool cake easily trumped the opposition by grabbing 46% of the overall poll, followed by the Madrid Airport cake, which was celebrating yet another new Norwegian route – also to Copenhagen – which took 33%.

This gave the Nordic low-cost carrier an historic first, with the first and second position in the bi-annual public vote to decide anna.aero’s Cake of the Week contest.

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Arctic Hero Jimmy seeks his thrills in extreme conditions myday off Jimmy Doyle is a mechanical supervisor at HE Simm and in his spare time is an avid off-road enthusiast

I

thrive off the idea of adventure – tales to be shared with family and great friends.

For me, nothing is more fulfilling than accomplishing an extreme outdoor challenge.

Eighteen months ago, seven off-road enthusiasts and I began preparations to embark on an adventure that would take us to our human limits and reach the Arctic Circle, all in the name of charity.

Help for Heroes is a charity of great importance to every member of the eight-man team.

It was from deciding on our chosen charity that the name Arctic Heroes Challenge was coined.

Our goal was to raise £25,000 through various charitable activities.

Among many endeavours, we camped at Delamere Forest at Christmas time, collecting charitable donations and held an Arctic Ball, consisting of a charity auction at Devonshire House Hotel, Liverpool.

The night was a huge success and £10,000 was raised.

In order to raise the profile of Arctic Heroes Challenge, the team had interviews with local radio station Juice FM, and Liverpool Echo.

We also met with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, who gave us a shield to give to the Mayor of Honningsvag, the most northern town in Europe, who we intended on visiting.

I have worked as a mechanical supervisor at Liverpool-based HE Simm – a leading building services company – for five years now and am very proud to work there.

The firm sponsored the Arctic Heroes Challenge with a substantial amount of money. Jeep in Barnsley helped out a great deal, too.

One Jeep was donated for the challenge and a further £1,000 for every Jeep sold during the Arctic Ball.

Camping and off-roading are great hobbies of mine – I love the outdoors and there is a real sense of community in the activities I partake in.

I have made close friends from trips I have been involved in.

Now that my daughters are older – Erin is 15 and Charley is 13 – myself and my wife Nicola regularly take

‘It was an adventure that took us to our limits’

Jimmy Doyle in the midst of the Arctic Heroes Challenge, above and below camping weekends away.

It’s great to see the girls actively involved in Dad’s hobbies.

The Arctic Heroes Challenge took us from Hull to the most northern point of Europe, North Cape, in 17 days.

Much of our days on the challenge followed a strict sequence – wake up, dismantle camp, complete vehicle checks, drive, lunch, drive, break, drive, set up camp and so on.

The challenge was not without mishap, however.

Because of extremities in weather in Trundheim, Norway, I found myself in a surreal situation, straight out of a Bear Grylls show.

A heavy downfall of snow caused the back end of my Jeep to lose grip and spin around on a bend in the road. The convoy came to a shuddering stop,

sideways across the road and the rear was ditched into a snow drift.

Through the windscreen I could see approximately an 80ft drop to one of the many fjords.

Although the situation was rectified, it was moments like these that powerfully hit home the extent and dangers of the challenge.

Being surrounded by a strong and supportive group of people – now great friends – was the sheer backbone of the challenge.

The camaraderie and positive rapport elevated our Arctic Heroes Challenge into something more than a selfless act for charity. It is with great pride to see that we have surpassed our original target figure for the charity, with the total now standing at more than £42,000.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

end piece

23 post business

networking

Matou on Liverpool’s waterfront

Taste of the North

BIRKENHEAD caterer Pickled Walnut staged a veritable culinary feast at the Taste of the North event in Liverpool Cathedral. Among the guests were Sir and

Lady Bibby, above, and John Lowe, of Bolland and Lowe, Julie Johnson, of Morecrofts Solicitors, and Lee Joseph Hagan, of Collective Magazine, left.

Beer worshippers THE Liverpool Organic Brewery-organised Waterloo Beer Festival attracted hundreds of real ale fans to Waterloo’s Old Christ Church last weekend.

The event sold beers from breweries around the UK,

City’s musical tribute

LIVERPOOL’S musical leaders were out in force at the second GIT Award ceremony, held at Leaf Tea Shop and Bar in Bold Street last week.

The namesake award was given to Baltic Fleet, who were among the bands to perform on the night, while the Inspiration Award went to

FRIDAY, APRIL 26

ST HELENS Chamber of Commerce is holding a ‘Meet The Apprentice’ event at its offices, between 8.30am to 12 noon. This free and informal event offers an opportunity to meet some of the best local young job seekers. The chamber specialises in finding young people work through its Apprenticeship Programme and is always looking to increase the range of vacancies available. All apprentices will

have completed the Chamber Approved Work Ready course to ensure they are prepared for the world of work. To book call Daniel Manchester on 01744 742123 or Debbie Hillon on 01744 742064.

Online registration is not available for this event – for more information call 01744 742028.

MONDAY, APRIL 29

PRINCIPLES of Risk Assessment is a course designed to provide delegates with the tools to recognise

Cathy Holt, auction manager, Sutton Kersh Q What is your favourite lunch venue?

A Matou, Pier Head, Liverpool city centre Q Why is this your favourite venue?

A It has amazing views across the estuary and a lovely terrace which is great in the summer. The food and service are fantastic and it’s great value for money. They do a lunch offer which is three courses with a drink for just £12.95.

including Southport Brewery, Liverpool Craft Brewery, Leeds Brewery and Titanic Brewery from Stoke.

Pictured, from left, are managing director Mark Hensby and head brewer Karl Critchley.

business diary

my favourite lunch

common hazards and assess the risks associated with these hazards. Delegates on the course, at St Helens Chamber of Commerce, will understand how to put this information into a risk assessment and understand how to comply with the legal requirements for risk assessment. It covers understanding of current legislation governing risk assessment; the role of risk assessment in managing safety risks; hazard recognition; risk control measures; and practical risk assessment. The course runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm and costs £65

The Justice Collective for taking its version of He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother to last year’s Christmas Number One slot.

The award was collected

by Keith Mullin, left, who paid tribute to the campaign for justice led by Hillsborough families and survivors.

(+VAT) for chamber members and £120 (+VAT) for non-members. It can be CIEH accredited for an additional charge of £10.

To register visit www. sthelenschamber.com/ booking

TUESDAY, APRIL 30

BRAND Ubiquity Ritual’s next lunchtime networking session will take place at Hanover Street Social, situated in the Casartelli Building, 16-20 Hanover Street, from 12 noon to 2pm. The event will cost £5 for Brand Ubiquity Ritual members, and £10 for guests. Please RSVP for the next event in the

Q What is your favourite dish and why?

A I like to get a selection of starters as I like too many of the dishes. If I had to pick one main it would be the Thai red curry - flavours are amazing and hit the right spots.

However, the seabass is also very tasty and just a nice portion size for lunch time - not too heavy.

Q What is the best bit of business you have done over lunch?

A I got my present job as auction manager at Merseyside’s leading auction house over lunch five years ago – that is the best deal I have done.

I love my job and never looked back since. Sitting down to a nice lunch mid week is a rare luxury for me

networking schedule to: joel@ubiquitypr. co.uk

TUESDAY, MAY 7

WIRRAL accountancy and business support firm McEwan Wallace is holding a free seminar on Real Time Information (RTI) at Thornton Hall Hotel which will tackle the issues around RTI for businesses, and the aftermath since its implementation on April 6.

David Connolly, McEwan Wallace Payroll Bureau managing director, will offer advice and support and will answer questions on RTI and PAYE arising from the changes. The

Cathy Holt as I’m out on the road a lot of the time valuing properties and then selling them.

Q Who would you most like to have lunch with?

A No one important really – just good clients are great company and it's nice that they always come to me for auction advice. However, if Christian Grey was sat on his own then I might be tempted to pull up a chair.

Q Where else do you like to go for lunch?

A There are so many good restaurants across Liverpool to now to choose from. I don't mind as long as it’s good food, good service and value for money. The Casa Italia is great food actually.

seminar will also address how employers should prepare for changes to workplace pensions and the new automatic enrolment process. Craig Muir from Scottish Life will discuss the steps employers need to take and the implications of the new process. The event will run from 8am to 10am with breakfast and refreshments available. To book a place contact Rebekka Cairns at enquiries@mcwallace.co.uk or book online at www. mcwallace.co.uk/events

MONDAY, MAY 13

BUSINESSES in the North

West are being encouraged to take part in a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)-backed week of events aimed at boosting the region’s exports to a wide range of high growth markets. In the North West this will include free events focusing on India, Eastern Europe, Central and Latin America, starting with a launch in Liverpool showcasing opportunities. Visit www.exportweek.ukti.gov .uk for details of events.

■ Send your diary events to neil.hodgson @liverpool.com

24 Advertising Feature DWF LLP

Thursday, April 25, 2013

A supporting network for families

W

HETHER you’re embarking on a new stage in your relationship and looking for a cohabitation agreement or a pre-nuptial agreement, or you’re going through a divorce or civil partnership dissolution, having a legal advisor you can trust to work hard to reach the best possible outcome in your situation can make all the difference.

Leading law firm DWF has a team of specialists who offer expert advice in all areas of family law, and can support and guide you through the legal implications of family change; all with a sensitive, commercial and pragmatic approach tailored to your unique circumstances.

This is even more important when there are children involved. Their futures will understandably be a priority, so it’s important you can rest assured that their best interests are safeguarded.

DWF’s family team is a member of Resolution – a specialist family lawyers association committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes – and where possible, the experienced solicitors aim to solve complex situations out of court.

DWF is a national law firm with a local office in Liverpool

How useful is a pre-nuptial agreement?

Beverley Jones, associate in the family team at DWF, answers the most frequently asked questions about pre-nuptial agreements Q: WHAT IS A PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT, OR A ‘PRE-NUP’?

A: A pre-nuptial agreement is a formal, written agreement entered into before marriage or civil partnership.

It seeks to address what will happen to the parties’ assets should they later separate.

Q: ARE PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS LEGAL IN THE UK? A: Though not legally binding in the UK, they can be extremely persuasive to the court in determining what a fair and reasonable financial settlement is.

The agreement must have been properly drafted by a specialist family lawyer, following independent legal advice, and both parties must have entered into it freely with full and frank financial disclosure.

Purchasing a cheap DIY pre-nuptial agreement from the internet, for example, will mean you risk that it won’t be upheld by a court.

Q: WHY SHOULD I USE A SOLICITOR TO DRAW UP A PROPER PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT? A: A pre-nuptial agreement, properly drafted by an expert, is likely to be extremely persuasive evidence to the court, and could have a significant bearing on the financial outcome of the case.

Q: I AM ALREADY MARRIED – CAN I STILL MAKE A PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT?

separate.

A: No, but you can make a post-nuptial agreement.

This is a similar agreement, made after entering into a marriage or civil partnership, designed to set out how you wish your assets to be divided should you

Q: IF WE RUSH INTO A PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT JUST BEFORE WE GET MARRIED, WILL IT STILL BE ENFORCEABLE? A: Probably not. This type of agreement should be completed

Beverley Jones and signed by both parties at least 28 days prior to the wedding.

The closer to the wedding the more likely it is that corners will be cut, or that one or both parties will be put under pressure or duress to sign, and as a result, it is likely to carry less weight in the UK courts.

Q: WILL THE COURT ENFORCE MY PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT IF I HAVE CHILDREN? A: Unless the agreement specifically makes reasonable provision for any children of the marriage, a pre-nuptial agreement is unlikely to be upheld.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to plan ahead when drawing up the agreement, making provision for potential offspring.

Alternatively, at the very least, seek further advice to enter into a

post-nuptial agreement if, or when, children are planned.

Q: CAN I CHANGE A PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT ONCE I HAVE ENTERED INTO IT? A: Yes, as long as both parties agree and enter into the change of agreement freely, with the benefit of their own independent legal advice.

Q: CAN CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS OR SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS HAVE A PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT? A: Yes. ■ If you have any queries relating to the above, or another aspect of family law, contact Beverley Jones on 0151 907 3372 or my email at Beverley.Jones@dwf.co.uk.

Beverley offers a free, half-hour initial consultation

Meet the expert BEVERLEY Jones has been appointed to lead the family team for the Liverpool office of national law firm DWF. Recognised in the North West region as an expert in her field, Beverley is well known for her extensive experience across a range of areas, including divorce, financial settlements, children cases, cohabitation disputes and pre-nuptial agreements.

David Pickering, national head of the Family team at DWF, said: “As a solicitor in the family sector, it is essential to be more than just an excellent legal practitioner. It is also crucial that you are able to communicate effectively and sensitively with your clients, at what can often be a difficult time for them.

“Beverley has an excellent reputation within the region and will help us to continue providing a first class service to all of our clients.”