Kirklees Business News 24/11/15

ELLIE MACDONALD

FTSE 100 -29.14 6305.49

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015

Hectic times at 3M BIC Interview - Page 3

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MARK WEEKS Look after lone workers Column - Page 4

An EXAMINER publication

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk

A BUSINESS consultancy based in Kirklees is expanding its operations north of the border.

Finance and marketing company ABL Business has opened an office in Glasgow – its first in Scotland – following a highly successful year of trading for the firm which saw a three-fold increase in turnover from 2014.

ABL Business (Scotland) will operate from offices in the city’s West George Street and will be led by an additional director, Robert Perrie, an experienced commercial finance broker.

The new branch aims to provide SMEs with the knowledge, contacts and support to enable growth through accessing commercial funding streams, combined with marketing strategy and management.

ABL Scotland’s expansion comes almost two years after a merger between ABL Finance and Talk Direct Marketing to give customers access to broader endto-end support packages.

Alex Beardsley, director of Cleckheaton-based ABL Business Ltd and a member of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers, said: “Over the past 12 months, we have dealt with over 200 SME businesses across the UK and

■■ ABL Business (Scotland) director Robert Perrie (centre) with ABL Business directors Andy Redman and Alex Beardsley

brokered £25m in funding.

“Our business offer is now perfectly placed for the growing SME market across the UK, including Scotland, where we noticed that provision in the finance market was very limited.”

As well as SMEs accessing the services directly, she said the packages had already proved popular with funders

who have a presence in Scotland such as Lloyds, Ultimate Finance, Shawbrook Bank and Funding Circle.

“We identified a gap in the market in Scotland to provide services for firms operating in Glasgow and the central belt,” Mr Perrie said. “Accessing finance is one of the most challenging aspects of business for SMEs and our research

revealed that not all firms realise brokers exist and those that are aware of them don’t quite understand how they operate.”

He said: “We have already secured a good client base as the opportunity to access all financial needs with one point of contact is attractive, not just to the SMEs themselves but also to the funders, as it adds value for their clients.

“Combined with the additional business support available, this makes ABL Business (Scotland) a very attractive supplier for SMEs across the country.

Our approach is always is to build trust and focus on people.”

Mr Perrie’s financial experience spans spells working for Lloyds Banking Group, Aldermore Bank and Western Union.

The move into Scotland is the first step in ABL’s growth strategy – with the company currently examining potential opportunities in the North-East, NorthWest, Midlands and London.

Director Andy Redman said: “We identified a niche to move into as a commercial finance brokerage, but wanted to be sure we could provide Scottish clients with the same level of personal service for which we are known in Yorkshire.

“Under Robert’s guidance, the new branch will enable us to achieve this and offer Scottish SMEs one point of contact where they can access a full range of funding to enable them to grow.”

Investment brings rewards for fleet incident specialist

■■ FMG’s headquarters in Huddersfield

Fleet incident management and roadside service specialist FMG has landed a key contract.

The Huddersfield-based company has secured a three-year contract to handle incident management services for Complete Vehicle and Asset Management (CVM) Group.

The contract will see FMG operate under the CVM brand, providing round-the-clock first notification of loss, a UK-wide repair management service and a range of legal services for CVM’s fleet customers.

Kevin Connor, commercial director at CVM said: “We focus on improving the operational efficiency of our customers’ fleets to achieve substantial and measurable reductions in the total cost of

fleet management, whilst continually focusing on improving service levels.

“By forming this strategic partnership with FMG, we gain access to the best repairers in the fleet market at preferable rates and this feature alone will cut our customers’ costs by reducing their vehicle downtime to an absolute minimum. “ Mr Connor said: “We will deliver additional value to our customers by claiming back what is rightfully theirs following an incident which wasn’t their fault and with the provision of a like-for-like replacement vehicle, to ensure their business continues as usual.”

Harvey Stead, sales director at FMG, said: “More businesses are

turning to us as they further develop their customer service proposition and, in the past 18 months, we have significantly invested in people and technology to substantially enhance the customer and driver journey.

“We are delighted to support CVM’s customers by using our proven expertise to significantly reduce the cost and hassle of vehicle incidents for their customers.”

FMG, which employs 30 people, has more than 25 years’ experience as a specialist outsource provider of intelligent incident management services to more than 250,000 vehicles on behalf of major UK companies, including blue chip private companies, large insurers and leasing companies.

Snappy answer A BRIGHOUSE firm took its campaign for better door locks to a major conference in Europe.

Clive Lloyd, managing director of Avocet Hardware was invited to speak on the issue of lock-snapping at the annual European Neighbourhood Watch Association conference in Umbria, Italy.

The conference was attended by renowned scientists, police experts and Neighbourhood Watch practitioners.

He was invited to speak following a trip to Italy in September when Avocet presented its answer to lock-snapping – its threestar rated and SS312 Sold Secure Diamond accredited ABS and ATK locks

examiner.co.uk

Expanding consultancy is striding out into Scotland

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The most trusted news brand in the business

Shining brightly A PICTURE made of coloured glass provided the spur for Huddersfield woman Paula McQuilkin to set up her own business.

Now she is selling exquisitive items of jewellery made from glass, gold and silver which she designs and makes herself.

And she has proved a sparkling success on a demanding programme which nurtures up-andcoming entrepreneurs by winning £1,000 with a oneminute “pitch” to a team of expert judges

2

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

national

Investors ‘would back’ bank moving HQ abroad Many investors would back HSBC if it chose to move its headquarters from London as a result of continuing regulatory frustrations, one of the banking giant’s shareholders has claimed.

Standard Life equities head David Cumming said HSBC could be “very close to losing patience” as banks are being required to meet “ever-increasing capital requirements”.

Standard Life owns just over 1% in the bank.

HSBC has threatened to quit the UK over frustrations with its regulatory environment – with Hong Kong seen as the most likely alternative.

Mr Cumming said that Standard Life “along with a lot of other shareholders” would be supportive of a move from the UK. Next month, the Bank of England is set to issue its latest stress tests, designed to check whether banks could withstand another financial crisis.

Mr Cumming has accused the regulators of constantly “moving the

■■ HSBC is “very close to losing patience” with City regulators, claims one investor

goalposts” with reference to the levels of capital lenders are required to hold.

He said: “Obviously we need stresstests and banks should have prudent

capital. But I think this ongoing process of continually... moving the goalposts and with the Financial Policy Committee coming up with new wheezes in terms of getting the banks

Mitie posts increased revenues Facilities management company Mitie has posted a rise in revenue but lower profits for the six months to the end of September.

The group, which employs more than 13,000 of its 70,000-plus staff in the north, lifted revenue by 2.6% to £1.12bn during the period. Pre-tax profits were £50.1m against £57m last time – reflecting a decline in its healthcare division.

Mitie works on many well-known businesses and brands in the Northern England region, including Kellogg’s, Cumbrian Collaboration, LV= and Mersey Care NHS Trust.

During the period, the group secured a range of new integrated FM contracts – with clients including Daily Mail Group, Deloitte, and Thales Group – with a combined total annual value exceeding £50m.

It also retained key contracts with Northumbrian Water, Everton FC and landed a new waste management contract with Hull NHS Trust.

Mitie chief executive Ruby McGregor-Smith said: “Mitie has had a positive start to the year.

“Our focus on the services sector, primarily in facilities management, will ensure we continue our longterm track record of sustainable profitable growth.”

to hold more capital – I think HSBC are very, very close to losing patience with this never ending process.

“And I think a lot of shareholders, including ourselves, would be supportive of them moving, given the current situation in terms of regulation.”

Over the summer, chancellor George Osborne said he would gradually reduce the banking levy – a way of forcing banks to contribute more to the UK economy – and introduce an 8% surcharge on UK profits instead.

This was seen as an attempt to encourage HSBC to remain in the country.

The banking giant is already in the process of relocating the head office of its UK retail banking operations from London to Birmingham by 2018 ahead of new ring-fencing rules separating this part of the group from its investment arm in thwe wake of the banking crisis.

This part of the bank will employ 22,000 UK staff.

Drugs giants seal mega-merger

Regional firms among the best

Pfizer and Irish-based Allergan will join together in a deal worth nearly £100bn to create the world’s largest drug maker.

The $160bn (£99bn) transaction is valued at $363.63 (£240) per Allergan share.

Allergan shareholders will receive 11.3 shares of the combined company for each of their shares. Pfizer stockholders get one share of the combined company for each of theirs.

It is the biggest health care deal ever and the largest so-

Yorkshire and the Humber has seen its share of the country’s top 100 fast-growing mid-market businesses grow by a faster rate than any other region, according to new research by the specialist bank Investec.

Thirteen of the firms on the list are based in the region – up by 63% from the eight recorded in June. Only two regions have more businesses in the list – the north-west with 14 and London with 30.

called inversion in history, a tax-saving manoeuvre in which a US company reorganises in a country with a lower corporate tax rate. US efforts to curb the practice have so far proven ineffectual.

Allergan, which includes Botox among its products, is based in Ireland, but runs much of its operations from New Jersey.

Pfizer, which has its UK headquarters in Surrey, and Allergan will be combined under Aller-

gan PLC, which will be renamed Pfizer PLC. Pfizer chief executive Ian Read will lead the combined company with Allergan chief executive Brent Saunders as operating chief. The combined board will include all 11 current Pfizer directors and four current Allergan directors.

Last year Anglo-Swiss rival AstraZeneca fought off a £69bn takeover bid from US rival Pfizer, saying the bid undervalued the business.

Investec’s third Mid-Market 100 list tracks the 100 fastest-growing companies in the mid-market and ranks the fastest-growing mid-market private companies in the UK and Northern Ireland by turnover growth.

UK-wide, the top 100 midmarket firms achieved growth of 40.4% – but Yorkshire businesses have outstripped this at just under 43%.

Ed Cottrell, head of corporate lending at Investec, said:

“As you’d expect, many of the 30 London firms are part of the dynamic financial services sector, but we also have a fashion house, a construction business and fine art dealers,” he said. “Growth is evident across industries – clear evidence of a healthy, diversified economy.”

Prominent firms from Yorkshire on the list include Leeds public services recruitment firm Gatenby and lubricants business Vickers Oil.

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN

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INDEX FTSE 100 FTSE 250

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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

profile

13-hour days and weddings to plan!

Marketing and PR consultant Ellie MacDonald is very busy right now.

It’s not just the clients of her Huddersfield-based business MacComms making demands on her time, but several friends – who all seem to be getting married!

“I’m a qualified wedding planner,” she explains. “It’s something I did after my own wedding to my husband Jon. “I did an online wedding planning course because I loved organising my own wedding.

Recently, I’ve been helping out a lot of friends with their weddings.”

She says: “A lot of them are getting married abroad. I’ve just come back from one wedding in Cyprus and there’s one in Sweden in July. Then there’s another one in Cyprus next September. Our holidays are dictated by who’s getting married, when and where!”

“But she adds: “My friends are massively important to me.”

Ellie set up MacComms from home before moving to the prestigious 3M Buckley Innovation Centre at Firth Street last July.

Originally from Leeds, Ellie came to Huddersfield 12 years ago to study psychology at the university.

She says: “I wanted to become a psychologist, but while I enjoyed the theory behind it, I realised that a career in psychology would mean more study – and I wanted to start earning some money.”

Ellie got a job as a receptionist at Daval Furniture in Slaithwaite before landing a job at Yorkshire Energy Services, an organisation promoting energy-efficiency and based at St George’s Quarter, the former railway warehouse behind St George’s Square.

“I am quite passionate about living ‘green’ wherever I can,” says Ellie. “It’s a subject that interests me greatly.”

YES invested in their new recruit.

Starting as an administrative assistant, Ellie gained a diploma in digital marketing and gained qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

She rose to become public rela-

tions manager for the Energy Saving Trust.

After more than four years with the company, she joined the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce at Lockwood as marketing manager .

During her two years with the organisation she arranged various events and conferences as well as handling PR and communications.

“It was a great opportunity to make contacts,” she says. “Some chamber members are now my clients.”

After leaving the chamber, Ellie spent nine months at Brighousebased Faith PR. “I got some great experience with a high-profile agency,” she says. “I realised that this was definitely what I wanted to do.”

Ellie also realised that she wanted to work for herself – and set up MacComms earlier this year, initially from home.

“It has taken off so much better than I ever expected,” she says.

“Working for yourself, you have to be everything from administrative assistant to managing director – meeting new clients, answering the phone and making the tea!

“I’m working 13 hours a day and it’s hectic.

“I’m working with a number of start-ups but I’m also doing work

Ellie MacDonald

for the largest paper manufacturer in the world, International Paper, and another business with global reach, Ascensor.”

Ellie is also keen to support young people and students from Huddersfield University have carried out some work experience with her.

Ellie first visited 3M BIC during her days at the chamber of commerce – and was instantly impressed.

She says: “Being at 3M BIC means I have ties with the university. They have been very good an encouraging students to get involved.”

Meanwhile, MacComms continues to grow.

“I’ve already looked at how I do things,” says Ellie. “I’m working with a business coach to make sure I have a real strategy in place.

“I’m drawing up forecasts on the kind of direction I need to take the business and I keep learning more and more.

“I’ve been to seminars at Leeds Business Week and attended workshops. It has been a huge learning curve.”

Ellie says her clients are typically businesses lacking the resources to employ a PR and marketing person in-house – but recognising how having someone outside the company to fulfil that

■■ Ellie MacDonald is enjoying life at the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre

role can provide a fresh perspective on things.

“Sometimes, you can be too close to things in business to see what’s going on,” she says. “A company may have several newsworthy stories to tell, but they don’t realise it.”

And in today’s social media world, it’s never been easier for companies to shout about what they are doing, Ellie adds.

She makes sure she practises what she preaches – ensuring that MacComms itself has a visible social media presence.

MacComms also collaborates with other providers of business services.

“It’s too short-sighted to view other people as competitors,” says Ellie. “I’ve collaborated with a lot of different agencies already and it has proved massively successful.”

Ellie hints at some really exciting things in the pipeline for MacComms, adding: “Watch this space!”

And she says: “It’s really great to be a Huddersfield business because the Huddersfield business community has been so good to me.

“There’s a real sense of community. It’s an encouraging place to do business.”

Ellie has no regrets about the decision to ditch the psychology textbooks for a career in marketing and PR. “Setting up in business has not been as daunting as I’d thought,” she says.

“Most of the time, it is 13-hour days. I had a rare night off the other night when I didn’t have my laptop on.

“Jon understands. He’s happy that I’m doing something I love and that I’m happier than ever.”

Ellie and Jon share their Colne Valley home with Pinot, a rescue cat, and enjoy weekend walks along the canal towpath.

Ellie is also a trustee of the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust and brings her PR and marketing skills to bear in helping promote the charity.

“It was lovely to be asked to be a trustee and the work they do is amazing,” she says.

Role: Managing director Age: 30 Family: Married to Jon Car: Ford Fiesta Holidays: We like to see as many places as we can. We have been to New Zealand, Thailand and Australia. I’d love to see as much of the world as possible First job: Cleaning the rooms at a hotel in Headingley overlooking the cricket ground. I’ve also done bar work and worked at a children’s play centre Best thing about the job? Being my own boss and taking control of my own destiny. Working with lovely people is also a big part of it Worst thing about the job? Trying to do everything and be everywhere. During the first few months of running the business my head was spinning!

Business tip: Don’t view other people in your sector as competitors. There are so many opportunities to collaborate.

Contacts are everything

MacComms Work: Marketing and public relations Site: 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, Firth Street, Huddersfield Phone: 01484 502207 Email: ellie@MacComms.net Web: www.www.MacComms.net

4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

local ■■ Alison Palmer, partner at Eaton Smith (centre), presents the award at the law firm’s High Street offices to Andrew Firth (fourth right), of Ascensor, with (from left) Steven Leigh, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Andrew Sugden, of Eaton Smith; Lesley Sutton, of Revell Ward; and James Landes, Laura Peaker and Sarah Lowther, of Ascensor

Digital agency secures monthly prize A DIGITAL agency with clients across the UK has won a monthly business award.

Birstall-based Ascensor was named Business of the Month in the competition run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UK Trade & Investment.

Ascensor has enjoyed year-onyear growth since its formation in 2007 and has clients across all sectors and ranging in size from startups to multi-million pound turnover internationals.

The judging panel was impressed

by Ascensor’s detailed application and impressive testimonials highlighting its recent growth – and by

Ascensor’s investment in an international company to complement its UK team as well as the acquisition of a Brighouse-based web design company.

Ascensor also stood out for its innovation, including developing apps – in particular for clients’ internal use – to help improve their efficiency.

‘Protecting lone workers is essential’ RISKY BUSINESS Mark Weeks It’s easy to ask whether your organisation is doing enough to protect lone workers, but it can be a difficult question to answer.

Businesses looking for guidance will quickly discover that no laws specifically govern lone working.

Instead, just as for any other staff members, employers have a responsibility under multiple pieces of legislation to consider carefully, and then deal with, any health and safety risks for people working alone.

While the duty of care to lone workers may seem only loosely defined, the penalties are very real.

The Crown Prosecution Service has said that fines for corporate manslaughter will seldom be less than £500,000.

Even in less extreme cases, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) puts the direct cost of managing and investigating a serious incident at up to £19,000, not including potential legal costs and fines.

Worse, all of this doesn’t take into account the indirect business costs of incidents, such as negative publicity, reduced staff morale and lost productivity.

With up to 160 attacks on lone workers every day and a 40% increase in corporate manslaughter prosecutions in recent years, no organisation can afford to be one of the 36% of UK businesses inadequately protecting lone workers today.

While the legal requirements for supporting lone workers may be non-prescriptive, there are actionable standards that every business should aim to fulfil.

Take a look at our checklist below to see how your organisation measures up: ■■ Do you know the risks? No organisation can take steps to avoid or control dangers to lone workers until it understands them. Regular risk assessments are an essential first step, allowing foreseeable hazards to be identified. The specific risks to your lone workers will depend on your industry and their dayto-day duties, but could include perils like working at height, handling dangerous materials or slips, trips and falls.

Legally, employers with five or more workers must record the significant findings of all risk assessments.

■■ Have you taken action? Once the risks have been identified, you should take concrete steps to avoid or control them.

For instance, you might decide to limit the activities employees can undertake alone, assign supervision for workers with known health conditions, or put in

place a new communications policy to ensure lone workers check-in regularly.

Meanwhile, emergency plans must also be agreed and lone workers need to understand them.

■■ Are employees involved? By law, you should consult all employees on health and safety issues. This process can also help you identify potential hazards and confirm that appropriate safety measures have been taken. While employees should never be the ones deciding if they need support, workers do have a responsibility to co-operate with your efforts, take reasonable care of themselves and safeguard any other people affected by their work.

■■ Are employees trained? It’s your obligation to ensure employees are competent in their roles and can recognise when to seek advice. For instance, workers should be fully trained to operate any vehicles or machinery needed in the course of their work. You could also consider personal safety, conflict resolution or first aid classes to better prepare your lone workers to cope with sudden emergencies in the field.

■■ Have you deployed safety technologies? It’s crucial that your business can monitor and communicate with lone workers effectively. Judicious use of the right tools can help, dramatically improving lone worker protection at little additional cost. For instance, you can improve safety via the smartphones employees already own. The LoneALERT smartphone app is easy to install and supports scheduled check-ins, panic alarms and GPS location tracking.

■■ Are you constantly improving? Safety is never something you can set and forget. Instead, ensure managers and supervisors have the tools they need to monitor safety policies, procedures and training on a continuous basis. Web or app-based management suites, such as that included with the LoneALERT smartphone app, offer a fast and cost-effective way to let lone workers report accidents or near misses and preserve supervisor findings for future audit and review.

Whether you checked-off every item above or are yet to implement your first risk assessment, protecting lone workers should never be seen as a simple matter of legal compliance.

In the final analysis, your business has a moral obligation to protect its employees, so don’t just ask “Is it legal?” – also demand “Is it safe?”.

Mark Weeks is a risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd

5

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

local

China and the Fed are the dominant factors We have been aware for some time that there are two important transitions occurring in the global economy.

Attempting to gauge their effect on financial markets has been more problematic – certainly there were few signs of alarm before August.

The first obstacle to examine is the transition of China from an export and capital investment-led economy to one that relies more on the domestic consumption of goods and services.

This has been a goal of the government for some time, dating back to the years running up to the financial crisis.

It was clear to them that a low-value-added export economy had limited growth potential – after all, global export markets are only so big.

The financial crisis interrupted their plans, forcing a shift towards aggressive capital investment in infrastructure especially, but this was also unsustainable owing to the fact that it was financed almost entirely with debt.

At the same time, the latest roster of party leaders, led by premier Xi Jinping, embarked on a crackdown on corruption amongst government officials, leading to a sharp slowdown in demand for certain luxury goods.

This might all have been bearable but for the fact that the rest of the world was suffering its own post-crises hangover, with demand remaining sluggish.

It is much easier to embark on tough reforms when external demand is strong as they often involve taking a step backwards to move forwards.

The second problem is the turning of the interest rate tide. The Fed is determined to exit emergency conditions after more than six years of zero interest rate policy.

It wants to replenish its interest rate ammunition in anticipation of an inevitable future cyclical downturn in

CITY TALK Simon Kaye the economy (boom and bust has certainly never been abolished), and it is also concerned that low interest rates encourage misallocations of capital.

This is happening against a background of the European Central Bank (ECB), the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) continuing to loosen monetary policy, thus leading to intense upward pressure on the dollar, creating its own headwinds for US companies.

Taken individually these influences might have been more tolerable, but they have intersected in emerging markets, and it is from here that the bulk of the market’s concerns about growth emanate.

China’s commodity heavy growth encouraged enormous investment in new capacity, and much of this is arriving on the market just as demand slows, leading to vertiginous falls in the prices of industrial commodities such as oil, iron ore and copper.

Meanwhile emerging economies have also benefited from an inflow of dollar liquidity in search of higher returns. The threat of higher US interest rates has tempered and even reversed this flow, leaving the developing world gasping for air just when its need is greatest.

Despite this confluence of concerns, we continue to believe that China’s fate remains firmly in its own hands

■■ Chinese president Xi Jinping’s move to crack down on corruption has had a big impact on the world economy

and that remedial measures already taken, such as loosening both fiscal and monetary policy, will steady the ship before the end of the year. As for US interest rates, the onus remains on the Fed not to tighten prematurely, but by the same token they must not “get behind the curve” in terms of allowing an inflationary cat out of the bag.

Recent market falls reflected lower confidence in both the Chinese government and the Fed.

Simon Kaye is a divisional director of Investec Wealth & Investment

That confidence was rebuilt to some degree in October, but it would be optimistic to declare that we have now passed safely through the transition period.

Europe remains our favoured region for playing a recovery. The economy is beginning to gain traction after several poor years, and is reminiscent of the UK in early 2013.

The banking sector is now in a much better state and credit is once again available to potential borrowers.

The housing market is turning for the better and overall confidence is rising. While not wanting to get carried away, we see this as the early stages of a more durable domestic recovery.

No doubt there will be some buffeting from overseas influences, and there are also political obstacles ahead, such as the ongoing saga in Greece and a tricky general election in Spain at the end of the year, but uncertainty once again offers opportunity.

One thing is for certain, the man in charge at the ECB, Mario Draghi, is prepared to put his full weight behind an accommodative policy and any setbacks in Europe will not be for the want of monetary stimulus.

To summarise our current views, confidence in global recovery remains challenged. Lower oil prices has acted as a tax cut to consumers, although they have been saving more of the windfall than expected.

Europe is finally seeing upgrades to growth forecasts, the US has been held back by the energy sector and the stronger dollar, but employment trends are firm. China has confirmed a 7% official growth target.

Absent external shocks, global monetary policy and the strong dollar should support continued growth, although lower than originally forecast at around 3%. That should lead to a recovery in earnings trends, but ongoing greater volatility is to be expected.

Home care group in £1m boost A HOME care provider with operations in Huddersfield, has secured a £1m refinancing deal to support further growth.

Optima Care Group, which includes TLC Homecare with offices in Huddersfield town centre, has completed the deal with Santander assisted by Grant Thornton’s corporate finance team in Yorkshire.

The group employs more than 650 care and support workers and operates from offices across South and West Yorkshire and the North West through its subsidiaries Warrencare and TLC Homecare.

Founded in 2010, it offers homecare, domestic help, home respite, learning disability, supported living, support for children and families as well as specialising in dementia support.

Full marks for school Hipperholme Grammar School has won a prestigious award for best practice in financial management from the Independent Schools Association.

The 290-pupil independent school was named as this year’s winner of the 2015 ISA Award for Financial Management at the association’s Autumn Study Conference in Northampton.

The award win recognises how the school – which takes in students aged three to 18 years – has excelled in all areas of financial management and taken steps to improve efficiency through operational best practice in areas including school transport, catering and marketing.

The school also engaged Brighouse-based Faith PR to review and streamline costs associated with its marketing activity while raising the profile of the school and driving new pupil enquiries.

6

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

Agency’s Victorian values

■■ Behrooz Saeed (left), of 79 with showroom manager Seb O’Connor

A MARKETING agency is helping a bathrooms business tap into higher sales.

Victorian Bathrooms, recently acquired by bathroom retailer Bathstore, has appointed agency 79 to overhaul its entire marketing strategy.

The move is already reaping rewards with a 160% increase in online revenue following the launch of a newly designed e-commerce website.

Within two months of the website going live, conversion rates soared by 62% while the average order value rose by 25%. The agency has also organised bi-weekly emails and offline activities including

promotional campaigns and advertising to encourage footfall to Victorian Bathrooms’ showroom in Ossett and drive online sales.

The agency, based at the Media Centre in Huddersfield, was invited to pitch for the Victorian Bathrooms account after being recommended by a former colleague.

Behrooz Saeed, managing director of 79, said: “We make our recommendations based on what we believe will return the biggest buck for our client.”

“We have the rock solid project management skills required to do that and do it well.”

■■ Moin Valli (second right), of Valli Opticians, with Malcolm Jones (centre), outgoing owner of A H Merton’s Ltd, with (from left), Malcolm’s wife Eileen Jones, director Chris Jones and Christine Wrenn, executive director of A H Merton’s Ltd

Optometrist group adds seven stores An ambitious optometrist group based in Huddersfield has acquired a sevenstrong opticians group.

Valli Holdings’ acquisition of A H Merton’s Ltd doubles the number of stores for the Valli and almost trebles its turnover and staff numbers.

The acquisition, which covers sites in Lancashire an Cheshire, makes Valli one of the largest independent groups of opticians in the UK. It is an ambitious move by Valli Opticians founder Moin Valli, who has previously acquired one Yorkshire practice a year for the last seven years.

Moin said the two businesses were a perfect fit – sharing the same values yet having contrasting strengths that would merge to create a stronger optical offer for patients and staff.

“I was not looking to acquire any more practices this year having added Hull and Hebden Bridge to the portfolio in 2015,” he said. “The ambition had been to acquire one a year, but when I heard of the opportunity it was too good not to investigate.”

Moin said A H Merton’s founder Malcolm Jones had built a strong community-based business that shared the same values as Valli.

“His business model was the same as mine,” said Moin. “Every five years, he acquired an established business, retaining the practice name to maintain community identity.

“Both are family companies which always put a premium on patient service offering longer appointments times and working to ensure people feel we care about their visual health first and foremost. Our people also matter so we invest in their development.”

Mr Valli said: “Malcolm was keen to sell his business to someone who understood the A H Merton’s Ltd ethos and it

became clear as negotiations progressed that there was much synergy. At the same time we have enough differences to transfer that will be mutually beneficial.

“Valli has always been innovative and creative in our business methods such as outreach work into the community, while AH Mertons Ltd has invested very heavily in systems. It will be a perfect fit,” Moin said that he had no plans for any immediate changes to either business and was keen to work alongside the existing A H Merton’s Ltd board, which is led by executive director Christine Wrenn and includes Malcolm’s son and daughter Christopher and Tracey.

Christine said: “A H Mertons Ltd have a strong reputation and we have worked tirelessly to ensure we provide our patients with a high standard of professional eyecare within the independent sector.

“Our loyal practice teams are passionate about eye care and the ocular health of our patients, so it was essential we found the right company with a similar strategy and philosophy.

“We are absolutely delighted to be working alongside Moin Valli of The Valli Group and are confident Moin will take our company to the next level of eye care.”

Malcolm said: “Christine Wrenn, Tracey Jones and Chris Jones of the management team remain and look forward to working with Moin and have every confidence the experience of both companies will enable us to nurture and develop our teams, ensuring we build on the continued success of our company well into the future.

“It was important to me that my team were going to be well looked after and I am confident that Moin will do that. We wish Moin and the team every success,” he added.

7

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

Firm’s security drive heads into Europe A BRIGHOUSE company took its campaign for better door locks to a major conference in Europe.

Clive Lloyd, managing director of Avocet Hardware was invited to speak on the issue of lock-snapping at the annual European Neighbourhood Watch Association (EUNWA) conference in Umbria, Italy.

The conference was attended by renowned scientists, police experts and Neighbourhood Watch practitioners.

Mr Lloyd was invited to speak at the event following a trip to Italy in September when he and his marketing team presented its answer to lock-snapping – the company’s three-star rated and SS312 Sold Secure Diamond accredited ABS and ATK locks – to an audience of officers from the country’s various police forces.

Said Mr Lloyd: “When we made that initial presentation in September, we were able to snap their very best locks in seconds. In contrast, nobody could find a way past ABS.” EUNWA is a major European initi-

ative in the area of safe living and crime prevention. it is currently supported by 25 European neighbourhood watch and crime prevention organisations from 19 different countries.

It aims to share crime prevention strategies and solutions across the continent, with a view to making daily life safer for everyone.

Karl Brunnbauer, founder and president of EUNWA, said: “Citizens across Europe are increasingly worried about becoming victims of burglary and property crime.

“At the same time, organised crime does not respect national borders and criminal methods are quickly transferred from one country to another.

“Therefore, we want to do the same with crime prevention strategies and in ABS, Avocet Hardware has a solution that really can stop lock-snapping attacks.

“We were all enthralled to hear what Clive had to say about the product and the difference it can make in the fight against crime.

■■ Clive Lloyd, managing director of Avocet

Housebuilding revival reflected in new data Housebuilding accounted for almost half of all construction contract values in October, figures reveal.

Residential development represented 49% of all construction contract values, totalling £3.7bn, according to the latest review by industry analysts Barbour ABI. Commercial and retail construction was the second highest sector for contracts awarded by value – but only made up 15% of the market.

The value of residential projects in October is the highest since Barbour ABI started tracking the series – helped significantly by a number of projects within private housing, which accounted for 81% of all residential contract values.

Major construction projects that fuelled the residential revival were spread right across the United Kingdom, from the City North Development in London’s Finsbury Park valued at £120m to the £70m Oakfield Road 59-apartment project in Altrincham, Cheshire.

Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “After a slower Q3 for construction activity, it was vital for the industry as a whole that residential bounced back to help regain momentum.

■■ Residential building bounced back in October, a surbey reveals

“It was also encouraging to see the spread of contract values right across the UK, with no region dominating.

“Although the residential contract value figure increased in October, the number of units awarded increased by only 2.8%, suggesting that recent schemes are more focused on high value rather than high density, which does not necessarily bode well for those calling to increase housing figures.

“October’s total residential value was the highest for over three years and dominated by private housing, which has to be seen as a positive for the industry, economy and investors.”

8

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Jordan Lewis

Recruit joins Lockwood firm Leaflet distribution firm Mr Flyer has appointed apprentice Jordan Lewis to work as its HR and recruitment assistant.

Mr Lewis (pictured) emigrated from South Africa to Huddersfield in 2000 and joins Lockwood-based Mr Flyer following his job as a play gym assistant.

He said: “I’m excited to start my career and help the business develop. I believe my passion for people will help me in my role and my desire to see Mr Flyer grow will keep me working hard.”

Michael Gladstone, director of operations and finance manager at Mr Flyer, said: “We’re all really happy to welcome Jordan. He brings great qualities and fresh ideas to the team.

“We hope that he con-

henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk

tinues to thrive and enjoy his apprenticeship with Mr Flyer and hopefully take over the HR and recruitment department.”

Mr Flyer was established in 2011 by managing director Andrew Robinson.

It employs 30 staff and recently opened a base in Leeds to complement its headquarters at Albert Street.

Lenny Agency appointment

said: “Ellie has a great track record in PR and social media and brings with her a wealth of national media contacts.

She also has a resultsdriven, no-fluff attitude to PR which mirrors our own ethos perfectly.”

Lenny works across a wide range of sectors with specialisms in home and interiors, nursery and baby, education and health.

Cable to address conference Former Business Secretary Sir Vince Cable has been announced as a speaker for next year’s Manufactured Yorkshire event.

MY16 will take place on Wednesday, May 11, at Elland Road, Leeds.

The event will feature an exhibition with more than 80 stands, three seminar halls and Meet the Buyer sessions.

Pauline sparkles in entrepreneur event

By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter

Ellie Stott

A DESIGN and PR agency based in Brighouse has made a key appointment.

Ellie Stott (pictured) has been appointed PR account manager at The Lenny Agency.

Ellie, who has a background in consumer and destination, joins Lenny from Democracy PR in Manchester where she spent the last two years as a client advocate.

Her appointment will strengthen Lenny’s growing PR and social media team and provide increased account management support to Lenny’s high profile mix of international and national clients including Braun, Vicks, OXO and British Ceramic Tile.

Emma Leonard, managing director at Lenny,

movers and shakers

Sir Vince, who will open the event with a keynote address, was Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills in the coalition government and is deputy leader and shadow chancellor of the Liberal Democrats. He continues to be actively involved in a wide range of issues arising from his period as a minister.

A PICTURE made of coloured glass provided the spur for Huddersfield woman Paula McQuilkin to set up her own business.

Now she is selling exquisitive items of jewellery made from glass, gold and silver which she designs and makes herself – and has proved a sparkling success on a demanding programme which nurtures up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Pauline, who lives at Birchencliffe, was one of just three budding entrepreneurs out of 65 contenders to win £1,000 each after successfully pitching her business to a judging panel from RBS/NatWest and KPMG in Leeds as part of the Entrepreneurial Spark programme.

The programme provides support to fledgling firms with the potential to become the big businesses of tomorrow.

Pauline became interested in the art of making glass jewellery during a visit to Wales last year when she was captivated by a picture of a house on a hill made with coloured glass.

She said: “I couldn’t afford to buy it, but I decided to work with glass myself.”

She undertook a course in March last year and also studied the techniques involved in books. Pauline set up her workshop in her garage and began to make a few pieces, which she gave as presents to friends.

Now she is making jewellery including brooches, necklaces, pendants and cufflinks combining coloured glass with gold and silver under the brand name Isoko, which means “culture” in the Zulu language. The brand officially launched with an event in Leeds last week.

Pauline is winning customers through recommendation and is also selling items online after launching a website to showcase her classic and contemporary ranges as well as commission pieces.

Pauline, who grew up in Fartown and attended All Saints’ High School, studied fashion design and technology in Leeds before gaining a degree in psychology. She worked in

■■ Jewellery designer Paula McQuilkin, of Birchencliffe, with some of the glass and silver pendants (below) which form part of her Isoko collections of classic and contemporary jewellery

pastoral support at Huddersfield Technical College and later at Bradford College before returning to Kirklees College as a team leader.

Through Entrepreneurial Spark, Pauline is one of 70 fledgling entrepreneurs able to use a special incubator in Leeds where the start-ups can make use of free IT and wifi and get support from a pool of business mentors. There are also opportunities for networking and workshops.

Pauline said her success in landing the £1,000 prize in the Entepreneurial Spark competition would provide a boost to her business.

“Eight of us out of 65 businesses were selected to give a one-minute pitch about their organisation and what they were trying to achieve,” she said. “I got some coverage in NatWest’s newsletter and an email congratulating me from the bank. The networking opportunities presented by Entrepreneurial Spark are also invaluable.”

Speaking in public? Nothing to it!

A BUSINESS owner took to the podium to delver a keynote speech – just days after running a programme to help people nervous about public speaking.

Martin Haigh, founder of Brighousebased training and development company Lattitude 7, spoke about his charitable work to 140 guests at the Mirfield Rotary Charter dinner at Bertie’s Banqueting Rooms in Elland.

The Mirfield group’s 76th anniversary charter dinner aimed to raise awareness of the work carried out by Rotary for local and overseas charities.

It came just days after Martin delivered his “Stage Fright” event at Holdsworth House in Halifax which saw eight of the region’s business leaders attend to learn and develop valuable public speaking skills..

Mirfield Rotary president Sue Char-

lesworth said: “We initially asked Martin if he might know of a keynote speaker to provide the after-dinner speech on corporate social responsibility.

“When Martin sent me an overview of himself, I realised he was the perfect person to speak, having raised so much awareness,and funds for Working Wonders apprentice charity amongst others.”

Joe Appleyard, engineer at Severn Unival in Brighouse, who took part in the Stage Fright session, said: “The Stage Fright programme aided my understanding of the importance of projecting myself when presenting.

“This was initially out of my comfort zone, but throughout the day I became more comfortable and in turn helped to increase my confidence.”

■■ Martin Haigh, of Lattidue 7, shows how it’s done