Kirklees Business News, January 2009

January, 2009

235

Shoppers surfing for festive treats

ONLINE Christmas sales are set to soar by 10% this year as more consumers use the internet for their festive gifts and food, said a survey by business advisory firm Deloitte.

Total online spend is estimated to reach £4.7bn this year, up 10% on the figure of £4.2bn in 2007.

However, Yorkshire consumers are among the least likely to do their shopping over the internet compared with their counterparts in the north-west, the south-west and Scotland.

Nicola Frampton, Leeds-based director of retail at Deloitte, said: “Although our research shows that the overall number of consumers using the internet for Christmas shopping

is stable, these people are using the internet more often and spending more online than ever before.

“Consumers who do most of their shopping online are expecting to splash out over 15% more than people who will rely mainly on traditional bricks-and-mortar retail for their Christmas shopping.”

The research shows that online consumers are planning to spend an average of £773 overall this Christmas compared with £655 for the total population.

Deloitte said the number of retailers offering shopping websites had risen steeply this year to 81% from 71% last year and 51% in 2006.

■ SHOPPING TRIP: Darren Evans, creative director of The Engine Room, with Footprint Bag founders Claire Peto-Cook (left) and Hanny Wadsworth

It’s in the bag!

TWO Honley mums are battling waste in Britain’s supermarkets.

Claire Peto-Cook and Hanny Wadsworth have set up Footprint Bag to provide a durable shopping bag designed to hang from a supermarket trolley and hold up to eight plastic bags of various sizes.

The idea is that shoppers can load their Footprint Bag with reused plastic bags and use them to take their groceries home. When they’ve put away the shopping, they simply keep the plastic bags in the Footprint Bag for their next trip to the shops.

The enterprising women set up Footprint Bag after shopkeepers in Hebden Bridge agreed to stop hand-

ing out plastic bags to shoppers last year.

Despite being a small company, Footprint Bag has set their sights on supplying larger supermarkets as the scope for their product is increasing day by day.

The mums have already received interest from retailers such as Marks & Spencer to stock the product as well as selling it online.

Claire and Hanny are being mentored by former Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Rachel Elnaugh in a bid to get their product into the shops.

Claire said: “We’re just two mums who came up with this idea, did a lot of talking and decided to go for it.”

Design and branding agency The Engine Room, based at the Media Centre, Northumberland Street, was handed the task of promoting the Footprint Bag. The brief was to create a cool, funky look for the bag, whichis made of tough, tear-proof polyester and folds away to fit into a neat pouch.

Darren Evans, creative director at The Engine Room, said: “Although this is an ‘eco-brand’, Footprint Bag is also an iconic statement and has been branded accordingly. By designing the pack as a lifestyle product, it opens up many more possibilities for brand extension and development.”

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January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

COMMENT

by

Henryk Zientek OW low can they go? Interest rates H have been cut again – by a full 1% to take the base rate down to 2% – as

the Bank of England attempts to kick-start consumer spending and counter the recession.

While the latest reduction – and the Chancellor’s 2.5% cut in VAT – may tempt some shoppers to splash more cash, many observers think efforts would be better directed at persuading banks to start lending again to business.

Small firms struggling with cash flow are finding it difficult to borrow from their banks to help them keep their heads above water – and keep employees on the payroll.

Mortgage lenders are also being urged to make more affordable deals available to first-time buyers – without whom the housing market cannot hope to recover.

Adjusting the base rate seems to the Bank of England’s favourite tool for managing the economy, but it is not the only spanner in the toolbox.

The Government does not want to appear to be running the banks and ordering them what to do – even if the taxpayers effectively own many of them now.

But something has to be done. Workers made redundant because their employers have no access to finance are in no position to go on a Christmas spending splurge – however low the base rate goes.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Confidence in Yorks region hits new low BUSINESS confidence in Yorkshire and Humber has plunged to a new low, figures reveal.

However, the latest UK Business Confidence Monitor from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales said the region’s senior professionals were still a little more optimistic than the national average.

C h r i s M a n n e r s, I C A E W regional director, said: “Yorkshire and Humber confidence deteriorated throughout the last year, as it did for the UK as a whole.

“Business confidence in the region has been hard hit by the problems faced nationwide by the construction and manufacturing sectors which account for an above-average share of the region’s economic activity.

“However, it is only fair to add that for a few manufacturers, the rises in steel and copper prices are actually helping to ease the squeeze a little.”

Mr Manners said: “The effect

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consumer demand was a greater challenge to their performance now than 12 months ago.

The effects of the credit crunch are still being felt in the region, with more businesses reporting difficulties in getting access to finance and a deterioration in the punctuality of customer payments.

One in five firms report that access to capital is a greater challenge to their business performance now than 12 months ago, while a third indicate that late payments from customers is a greater challenge.

As the economic environment becomes more challenging, firms in Yorkshire and Humber are cutting back in non-essential areas such as capital investment

BUSINESS finance provider Cattles Invoice Finance has appointed Adam Myers as trainee sales manager at its Yorkshire office.

Mr Myers (left), who has 10 years’ industry experience, joins from HSBC where he worked across South Yorkshire as a small business manager.

His new role will focus on professional contacts and SMEs in Sheffield.

Calvin Dexter, regional sales director for Birstall-based Cattles, said: “With credit becoming more and more difficult to obtain from banks, businesses are looking for alternative ways to get funding. We are looking to capitalise on these opportunities and Adam will help us to increase business in Yorkshire.

We are delighted to welcome him into the team.”

Inside Issues

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

of weakening consumer confidence on retail and wholesale firms is also having serious repercussions for the region.

“This sector accounts for a greater proportion of jobs in the region than any other.

“And we cannot ignore the huge psychological impact of losing or being in danger of losing four major financial institutions – HBOS, Bradford & Bingley, Barnsley and Scarborough Building Societies – and the attendant concerns over job security.”

The survey also established that the proportion of Yorkshire and Humber businesses which see their customer demand weakening has grown considerably this quarter.

Half of firms polled said that

Newcomer joins Cattles

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

● Boost for recycling firm – page 4 ● MP meets business women _page 6 ● Finance for glass firm – page 7 ● Fast food milestone – page 8 ● Orders books looking good – page 9 ● Cheery news for publicans – page 11 ● Roofer aims for the top – page 12 ● Holly Bank training success – page 14 ● Meet our award winners – page 15 ● Protect training budgets – page 16

Credit crunch hitting ability to raise finance

■ CONCERNS: Chris Manners, regional director in Yorkshire for the ICAEW

expenditure and recruitment to limit the impact on their profits.

Turnover growth is also expected to weaken as the prospect of recession looms large and customer demand weakens – but despite the fall in turnover, businesses expect to be able to maintain profit growth.

Yorkshire Bank wins loan prize

YORKSHIRE Bank has been named best regional mortgage lender by Your Mortgage magazine for the 10th time.

Announcing the win, magazine editor Paula John said: “The bank’s achievements are particularly impressive in the current, extremely challenging, market conditions. At a time when borrowers need the reassurance of competitive mortgages and excellent service more than ever, Yorkshire Bank has once again come up trumps.”

Yorkshire’s sister organisation, Clydesdale Bank was named best mortgage lender in Scotland for the fifth year in a row.

Both banks received their prizes at the Your Mortgage Awards in London.

Gary Lumby, head of retail banking at Yorkshire Bank, said: “We are delighted to have received this award for the 10th time and this underlines our commitment to providing an innovative and competitive product base.”

Rensburg Sheppards posts higher profits

WEALTH management group Rensburg Sheppards plc announced a 9.3% rise in half-year pre-tax profits against a background of challenging markets.

The Leeds-based group, which includes Rensburg S h e p p a rd s I nve s t m e n t Management and Rensburg Fund Management, posted earnings of £16.4m for the first half of 2008 against £15m last time.

The interim dividend is

maintained at 8.5%.

Chief executive Steve Elliott said: “Against a backdrop of challenging markets, I am pleased that the hard work of all my colleagues has resulted in these very creditable results.

“We will continue to maintain our strong client relationships as well as focusing on maximising net organic growth of funds under management.

“Overall, I believe we have the right business model to successfully trade through the current difficult market conditions.

Group funds under management totalled £11.45bn from £12.95bn before.

In addition to offices in Leeds, Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management has a regional network of 11 dedicated offices across the country..

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3

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

More companies hit by insolvency COMPANY insolvencies are soaring in Yorkshire, figures have revealed.

A survey by acccountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers showed that the number of corporate insolvencies in Yorkshire during the third quarter of 2008 rose by 35% against the previous quarter and by 65% compared with the third quarter last year.

In total, 479 businesses across Yorkshire entered into insolvency in July, August and September of this year compared with 355 in the

previous quarter.

Steve Ellis,partner in the business recovery services practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, said: “We predicted in the last quarter that the small decrease in figures would be the calm before the storm.

“A 65% increase on the same period last year shows that the lack of confidence and capital is now impacting a much broader range of the economy than we have experienced to date.”

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■ BUSINESS CHAMPION: Deirdre Bounds (centre), Yorkshire's first Enterprise Ambassador for Young People

Deirdrie delivers business case for young enterprise

B U S I N E S S WO M A N D e i r d r e Bounds has signed up to be Yorkshire’s first Enterprise Ambassador for Young People.

The founder of ethical travel company i-to-i has also urged more businesses to follow her example and become role models for young people.

She said: “Young people are our lifeblood and they will be running this region in the future. They need to be inspired by those of us who have had business success.”

Ms Bounds is spearheading the Enterprising Yorkshire, Inspiring Young Minds campaign for the Young

People’s Enterprise Forum.

She said: “I will be using my new position to galvanise businesses to give up just a few hours to go into schools and colleges.

“We have to ensure that enterprise education has a high priority and that young people are fit for purpose in a global economy.

“In other countries, such as Japan and China, the importance of young people to growing the economy is recognised. “ About 100 business people attended an Enterprise Week launch event in Wakefield organised by YPEF in partnership with regional development

Yorkshire Forward, Make Your Mark, Business Link Yorkshire and networking group Forward Ladies.

Ms Bounds shared the platform with Brighouse-based marketing and business development expert Carl Hopkins.

They were joined by Yorkshire Forward chief executive Tom Riordan and Business Link Yorkshire chief executive Helen West.

To get involved in the Enterprising Yorkshire, Inspiring Young Minds campaign, phone Suzy Alderson, executive director of YPEF, on 0113 394 7949 or visit www.enterprisingyorkshire.co.uk

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January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Quiz night funds

TECH TALK Roger Pearson

Christmas comes early

ERE’S an early Christmas treat – H some valuable analysis for Kirklees businesses working hard in the run up

to Christmas.

Can you believe it’s that time of year already? Well, they’ve already slashed the odds on a white Christmas so I hear and in timely fashion it’s been white over in Lockwood this morning so it could just be worth a punt.

But first, do you know what your clients want for Christmas?

In difficult times, knowing and keeping your most profitable customers, services, products and staff is as important as ever and according to a recent article is one of the key IT priorities of these hard times. While focus is on costs and cost cutting it is also important that your company is maintaining and growing its turnover in the most efficient way possible.

Michael Khan of Specsavers, one of the UK’s most trusted opticians, says: “It’s easier to keep those customers now, even at a cost, than to try and win them back later."

Finding these key insights into your business is one of the applications of the IT system but the value for you here is sometimes hidden in the data which you already possess – information on key customers, services and products (the proverbial wood within the trees) which could make the difference between success and failure.

Your existing business management systems may already have reports to extract this information although these are often under used. This is sometimes because standard reports are standard reports – designed to meet the requirements of all users and not the specific requirements of every individual.

However, they are a quick and easy way to business analysis and can often be amended or exported to Excel to help you find that specific gem of data which will really drive your business.

For firms where the standard reports will not suffice or where you need to provide key performance indicators to specific areas of the business then some technical assistance may be required to access the underlying database, extract the required information and make is visible where it is needed – either to staff, management or other stakeholders in the firm.

“Dashboards” are often the delivery medium, presenting everyone with the up-to-date information on screen that they need to guide their daily workload.

For businesses looking for that competitive edge this can still be on the re-active side and as data stores continue to grow driven by regulation and compliance specific analytics will be required to bring new life to existing data.

Using more advanced analysis we can identify trends and alert in advance when key indicators are likely to exceed thresholds, highlighting when key customers and suppliers need attention. By doing so we can act to maintain those important relationships before problems arise ensuring that the flow of business is not interrupted. At the same time the burden of continuous reporting and analysis on management can be reduced or eliminated freeing up your most valuable resources to build those important relationships.

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

■ HIGH FIBRE: Sasha Beaumont (left), director of Texfelt Ltd, with (from left) sales director Richard Southwell and James Taylor, a director of James Robinson Fibres

Textile recycling firm gets a boost A TEXTILE firm making carpet underlay from recycled fibres has boosted it business.

Texfelt Ltd has improved efficiency at its Elland premises after calling in consultants from the Manufacturing Advisory Service.

Textfelt, a subsidiary of Bradford-based James Robinson Fibres Ltd, manufactures and markets its Envirolay range of carpet nderlays, which are made from 100% recycled fibres and boast energy-efficient and insulating properties to keep down domestic heating bills.

James Robinson Fibres is one of the UK’s oldest established textile companies in the UK and exports 50% of its products. The family-run business has 40 employees and annual turnover of about £15m.

James Taylor, the fourth generation of the family to be involved in the business, said: “From our

Bradford base, we transport some of our recycled fibres to Texfelt which are then turned into carpet underlays.

“Running the businesses from two sites was giving us all sorts of logistical and strategic problems and we made the decision to get advice from MAS – which was the first time that the firm has called in external business consultants.”

MAS adviser Dean Morgan undertook a review that highlighted areas where the business could improve manufacturing and environmental performance.

One of the review recommendations was to carry out a detailed analysis of the company’s carbon footprint.

The resulting report detailed the impact of all procersses and made proposals to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

Mr Taylor: “With assistance from MAS we also purchased a

new computer accountancy system which has made a marked difference to the level of efficiency and led to much better communications between the two sites.

“Before its installation, we used to generate a vast and expensive paper trail which had to be mailed out.

“Now, everything is e-mailed – including external invoices, statements and so on – which has led to a marked saving in paper and dependency on postage.

“Thanks to MAS we have reduced our impact on the environment and reduced costs. We are also able to access and analyse data much more easily, which is more important than ever during the current challenging economic climate.”

MAS is a national Government initiative to improve company’s manufacturing operations.

A QUIZ organised by the forensic services team at accountancy firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Leeds has raised more than £10,000 for the NSPCC. The team has organised an annual sports-themed quiz for the charity for clients and contacts for the past nine years at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground So far, they have raised more than £100,000 for the cause.

The teams get to test their knowledge on a range of questions and also have the chance to bid on a number of prestigious items which are auctioned on the night. This year’s prizes included a signed Kylie Minogue CD, hotel stays and tickets for sports events.

Ian Elliott, forensic services partner, said: “I’m delighted with the amount we have managed to raise over the years for such a worthwhile cause.

“The evening always proves to be a great success and everyone has a fantastic time.

“I’m overwhelmed with the generosity of everyone who has donated items for the auction and those who bid for them.”

Financial health checks for region’s battling businesses FIRMS in Kirklees are being offered a financial health check to help them survive the recession.

Business advice body Business Link Yorkshire has launched a £1.4m package of support to provide firms across the region with advice via the Business Link website to help identify market opportunities, improve cash flow and cut overheads.

If more in-depth help is needed, £1,000 is available to pay for a meeting with an accountant who will focus on financial priorities and recommend an action plan.

For complex business issues, £2,000 of accountancy support is available.

The scheme is availale for three months and runs alongside a series of “credit crunch” workshops being run by Business

Link. Details are available from www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk.

Andy Tuscher, head of operational support for Business Link Yorkshire, said the initiative was vital given the current economic climate, saying: “Things are pretty tough and it is only going to get tougher.

“Businesses in Kirklees and across the region are noticing a rapid falling off in order books. Where companies are supplying the public sector, they are seeing a pick-up – but where they are supplying the private sector the decline is quite dramatic and quite worrying.”

Mr Tuscher said the health check aimed to ensure that companies were well-equipped to weather the economic storm.

And he added: “It will also give us a lot

of business intelligence. The last thing we want is for a business to fail, which means redundancies and a further blow to the Yorkshire economy. We hope to highlight cases where firms are succeeding and pass the lessons on to other companies.”

Helen West, chief executive of business Link Yorkshire, said: “There is no one picture reflecting the region’s businesses.

Some companies are thriving and growing, but others are experiencing cash flow problems for the first time.

“This health check will identify potential problem areas and address other issues that businesses should consider, such as new markets and making the best of existing resources. No business should fail because of lack of access to information and advice.”

5

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Floodsax story

RISKY BUSINESS

AN article in page seven of the December issue of Kirklees Business News was headlined Floodsax Making Waves.

We have been asked to point out that Floodsax is a flood protection product

Trevor Fuller

Penalties get tough

Firms urged to go for gold

HE Health and Safety (Offences) T Act 2008, which increases the penalties for health and safety

crimes, will come into law in January 2009 after the Bill gained Royal Assent.

The new Act raises the maximum fine that may be imposed by magistrates courts from ÂŁ5000 to ÂŁ20,000 for most health and safety offences, and makes imprisonment an option for more offences in both magistrate and crown courts.

Health and safety minister, Lord McKenzie of Luton, said: “It is generally accepted that the level of fines for some health and safety offences is too low. “These changes will ensure that sentences can now be more easily set at a level to deter businesses that do not take their health and safety management responsibilities seriously, and further encourage employers and others to comply with the law. “Furthermore, by extending the ÂŁ20,000 maximum fine to the lower courts and making imprisonment an option, more cases will be resolved in the lower courts and justice will be faster, less costly, and more efficient.â€? â—? A worker sustained serious injuries after he fell from a precarious position on a pile of old fridges and freezers he was loading on a lorry.

His employer was fined ÂŁ2,500 and ordered to pay ÂŁ2454 in full costs by magistrates after pleading guilty to breaching reg 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, by failing to ensure work at height was carried out safely.

The man, an agency worker who had only been at the firm for a few days, had been working at its yard reloading fridges and freezers from wagon to wagon.

He climbed on to the bed of the wagon and, from there, on to the top of the appliances to move some of them around.

He lost his balance and fell 10ft to the ground, dislocating fingers on his left hand, breaking his left wrist, and fracturing vertebrae in his neck.

He was kept in hospital for five days and had to wear a neck brace for three months.

It was standard practice of the company for its staff to climb on the wagons and appliances and, although the company had conducted a risk assessment, it was not realistic and did not take proper account of the dangers of working at height.

The company had now put a platform in place to prevent falls from vehicles, had changed the way it loaded appliances on to trailers, and put work at height training in place for all its workers.

Trevor Fuller is a risk management adviser at Wilby Ltd, based in Halifax

supplied by Kirkburton-based Environmental Defence Systems and has no connection to the company featured in the article. We are happy to clarify the position and apologise for the error.

■UP FOR THE CUP: Town players Andy Booth (front), Daniel Codman (left) Matt Glennon (centre) and Nathan Clarke with the trophy for the winners of the club’s new corporate six-a-side soccer tournament

Town on target with ‘soccer six’ A SPORTING challenge has been thrown down to Kirklees companies.

Huddersfield Town is launching a six-a-side football tournament – and is appealing for businesses to take part.

The aim is to play the tournament on Wednesday, April 1, using the state-of-the-art indoor pitches at The Zone, St Andrew’s Road, Huddersfield.

Organisers plan a tournament involving 10 teams, each managed by a Town player or coach, playing a number of game culminating in a

semi-final and a final.

The event will also include a pie and pea supper, team photos and a cross bar challenge before the final.

Four businesses have already signed up for the event – Yorkshire Bank, Fantastic Media, The Pink Link and Oval Insurance.

Town director of business development Sean Jarvis said: “The competition provides an opportunity for firms to get together away from the working environment. I’m sure there will be a strong competitive element and a lot of fun!�

Kirklees firms link up in six-figure deal THREE Kirklees firms have come together to complete a six-figure investment project.

Phar maceutical fir m Thornton and Ross commissioned Dewsbury company Richard Alan Engineering to make and install a range of steelwork, pipework and storage vessels to increase capacity at its Linthwaite premises.

The ÂŁ500,000 work was carried out as part of a larger contract awarded to process engineering company Manrochem Ltd, b a s e d at N e w N o r t h

Parade in Huddersfield.

Thornton and Ross is the largest independent pharmaceutical manufacturer in the UK – employing more than 350 people and making a range of healthcare and household products including well known brands such as Covonia, Hedrin, Asilone, Setlers, Transvasin and Zoflora.

Richard Alan Engineering has completed engineering installation projects for clients in the UK and as far afield as France and Sweden. Recent contracts

have included ones for the Galpharm Stadium and the Mirfield premises of Dow Chemicals.

O p e rat i o n s d i re c t o r Edward Jennings said: “We are delighted to have won this contract. “It is a tribute to the skills and services available in Kirklees that three local c o m p a n i e s c a n wo r k together on such a major engineering project. “This project is especially pleasing because we seem to be bucking the trend of the current economic climate.�

GOLD medallist Chris Boardman is urging organisations across Kirklees to put their employees on the rostrum.

The cyclist struck gold in the Barcelona Olympics and is a three-time wearer of the Tour de France yellow jersey.

Now he has called on local firms to promote staff training and development during Investors in People Week, which starts on Monday.

The week focused on raising awareness of the business-boosting benefits from gaining the Investors in People standard.

More than 2,500 organisations across Yorkshire have achieved the standard, which helps improve performance and competitive advantage.

Boardman joined newly accredited Investors in People organisations at a celebration morning at the Waterton Park Hotel, Walton, Wakefield, on Wednesday Recent recipients have included the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust and Mirfield Free Grammar School.

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6

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Praise for Mirfield volunteer

TOWN TALK Sean Jarvis

Riding the rollercoaster

A MIRFIELD woman was among the finalists in a national contest to recognise hard-working volunteers.

Angela Davies, who formed charity Kids in Mind to support needy children who have no parental support or guidance, was among the contenders in the Nationwide Community and Heritage Awards run by Nationwide Building Society and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

She was among six finalists from Yorkshire and Humber joining contenders from across the country at an awards ceremony hosted by newsreader Nicholas Owen at the Tower of London.

Judges heard that without Kids in Mind, many children would not have access to develop their learning skills or get career guidance.

The finalists were selected as a result of their outstanding voluntary work and contribution to their local communities and local heritage.

Each of the finalists was presented with an award, vouchers to the value of £250 and a donation of £500 to a charity or cause of their choice at a regional ceremony earlier during the year.

Caroline Hallatt, of Nationwide, said: “We are delighted to recognise and reward people who voluntarily give up their time and energy to support their local community and heritage sites.

“The finalists from Yorkshire and Humber have shown outstanding dedication to their local communities and are an inspiration to others.”

OR my column this month, I am F going to try and avoid mentioning the “cc” or “r” words.

Software firm has it figures out MP meets some ■ POLITICS SHOW: Theresa May (front) Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Shadow Minster for Women, meets Forward Ladies (from front) Etta Cohen, Kate Barrett, Ruth Dowswell and Jenny Eugene

A FIRM providing online accountancy software has won a national award.

Liquid Accounts, based in Longwood, won the award for best web-based accounting software at the 2008 Software Satisfaction Awards in London, The company, which was nominated for the accolade by its customers, managed to secure the highest satisfaction rating in any of the 19 software categories, beating big-name player like Sage, Kashflow, Quickbooks and Access.

Managing director Matt Holmes received the award from Jairo Rojas, director-general of the Business Application Software Developers Association.

Said Mr Holmes: “We are delighted that so many of our clients were inspired to vote and are happy with our software.

“I think our high score reflects that fact that online software is coming of age and that people appreciate the added flexibility, value-for-money and ease-of-use that a product like ours brings.”

Liquid Accounts’ triumph tops off a bumper year.

Marketing director Lisa Kendrick said: “In 2009, we aim to build on the success of 2008. We have big plans for expansion, including launching Liquid Enterprise, our bespoke web-based package for large companies.”

Forward Ladies POLITICIAN Theresa May travelled to Yorkshire to meet members of the north’s fastest-growing women’s business support group.

The Tory MP, who is Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Shadow Minister for Women, met the Forward Ladies in Leeds to discuss some of the challenges facing women in today’s workplace.

Forward Ladies, which is supported by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward as part of its commitment to encouraging greater levels of female entrepreneurship in the region, now has more than 3000 women on its database.

During the meeting, sponsored by The Met Leeds, Ms May listened to the women’s opinions and concerns on key issues including training, work-life balance, flexible working, returning to work after a career break and what the future holds for young women entering the business arena.

Forward Ladies managing director Etta

Cohen said: “We take seriously any issues which affect our members and are delighted to have been able to provide some of our experienced businesswomen with a platform to air their views and opinions.

Ms May said: “I wanted to hear directly from businesswomen from across West Yorkshire the challenges and issues they face in the workplace day-in day-out.

“I support the aims of Forward Ladies to encourage greater levels of female entrepreneurship in the region and want to make sure they get the help needed to achieve that.

“I also wanted to talk about my campaign, May for Equal Pay, which I launched just a few weeks ago. Men are still getting paid 17.2% more than women.

This means that the average woman will lose or forgo a massive £300,000 over her lifetime.

“Organisations like Forward Ladies help campaign to bridge that gap.”

To be honest, I think we have had it rammed down our throats over the past few months and I don't know about you, but I don't want to be reminded of it daily!

Last night, I was listening to my iPod and a song came up – “When The Going Gets Tough” by Billy Ocean. I think that about sums it up for us all!

For us, since the last column, we have had a bit of a rollercoaster both on and off the field, which I guess is the beauty of sport.

Naturally, It was great to secure a win versus our nearest rivals and to score in the 93rd minute in front of 32,000 fans.

Then we travelled to play a difficult fixture versus Brighton. Once again, tough got going and the lads put in a great performance and came away with the three points.

The scene was then set for a hat trick of wins when we played Orient at home on the Tuesday night. But sadly, as we all know "football is a funny old game" and we just couldn't seem to score and lost 1-0. However all is still not lost and am sure with a few more back to back wins we could then easily be challenging the play offs.

As for off the field we have had some interesting times too.

It was well documented in the Examiner about the temporary closure of Casino Red's land-based casino. Like everybody else in the town, we were gutted to hear the news, especially as the building had been expertly refurbished and I think added a little something extra to the town centre.

However, I understand from the directors of the business that they are currently in negotiations to relaunch the casino. We wish them all the very best for the future with this venture. I would also like to stress that we as a football club are sponsored by a different part of the business, which is the dotcom division. I would also like to stress this is not like the XL situation at West Ham and CasinoRed.com remains on the shirts. In fact, CasinoRed.com is still operational and sponsorship funds have been paid and as a club we remain committed to our sponsors.

On the upside, we recently ran our inaugural business network event with our business partners Chadwick Lawrence.

When running events like this, we are always nervous that only a handful of people will turn up and of course could be slightly embarrassing. However, on this occasion, we invited over 100 individuals to attend this event at the Galpharm and only two couldn't make it. As a consequence of this huge success we are planning our second business network event. If you would like to receive an invite, www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk and register on line.

We work on a daily basis with our sponsors. For example, we have driven £15m of deposits to Yorkshire Building Society and we have driven £2m worth of holidays booked at Thomas Cook. I think these two examples prove that sport is a very powerful way to connect with people emotionally. If you would like to talk to me about becoming one of our partners call on 01484 484 193 or drop me a line at sean.jarvis@htafc.com Sean Jarvis is director of business development at Huddersfield Town

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Award for Meltham supplier A MELTHAM firm has won an award for being a top supplier.

Meltham Mills Group was presented with the 2008 Surfacing Engineering Association Biennial Quality Award at the House of Lords in London.

The prize was presented to the group for improving the quality and performance of components going into vehicle gearboxes.

Meltham Mills Engineering Ltd was approached in 2007 by Formflo Ltd – which makes synchromesh rings for leading truck and van gearbox makers around the world – to provide extra capacity for its heat treatment process.

Later that year, Meltham Mills’ heat treatment division, now Meltham Mills Heat Treatment Ltd, began supplying limited quantities of heat treated rings to Formflo after achieving successful formal accreditation in Europe and the Americas.

The quality and service from Meltham Mills resulted in the firm rapidly becoming the preferred UK supplier to Formflo. This led to increased volumes – and the potential to win more supply contracts.

Meltham Mills is now pursuing accreditation to other gearbox manufacturers.

Sales and marketing director Peter Fletcher said: “The expertise in Meltham Mills Heat Treatment Ltd and its sister company Meltham Mills Engineering Ltd produced a more consistent product with significantly lower levels of rejects.

“Supply shortages became a thing of the past, costs were reduced for Formflo and Meltham’s work load increased resulting in recruitment and investment in additional capacity.

“Work currently being done in Canada for Formflo is being transferred to Meltham – which we hope will more than offset any declines in current production levels of rings because of the global slowdown.”

Speaking about the awards, Mr Fletcher said: “We were pleased just to make the finals and be invited to the House of Lords.

Because of the excellent partnership we have with Formflo we invited them to join us in London.”

7

Approach pays off for Suzanne

■ ON REFLECTION: Nick Turner (left) and Graham Irons (right), of Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, with Andy (second left) and Jonathan Taylor, of Milnsbridge-based Specialist Glass Products

Clear benefits for glass firm A COLNE Valley company is on track to take turnover to £4m this year after investing in new equipment.

Specialist Glass Products, formed in 2003, operates from a 25,000sq ft site in Milnsbridge Business Centre, Milnsbridge, and has worked on major projects including Manchester and Gatwick arports.

Last year, the business spent £850,000 on new equipment to enable it to produce glass and offer quick turnaround times for complex and bespoke orders.

As a result, the firm has won major tenders such as a £100,000 contract to supply toughened glass for Liverpool John Moores University – despite challenging economic conditions for fir ms s u p p ly i n g t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n

industry.

The company has also increased its workforce to 33 and expects to need extra staff and equipment over the next 12 months to meet demand.

The firm’s ongoing working capital needs are being supported by an asset-based lending facility from Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, which funded the new equipment. Lloyds TSB is also working closely with management to support the company’s expansion.

Andrew Taylor, director of Specialist Glass Products, said: “The current economic climate is having a major impact on many firms that supply the construction industry.

“Despite this, we’re focusing on ensuring we have the capacity to offer quick turnaround times, even

on major projects.

“The team at Lloyds TSB has taken the time to understand our ambitions. Its support is crucial to our ongoing development.”

Graham Irons, relationship manager at Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, said: “Last year’s investment has dramatically improved turnaround times and with market conditions becoming more challenging, it’s this proactive approach to securing a competitive advantage that will set firms like Specialist Glass Product apart.

“Our flexible facilities have released the value held in the company’s existing assets to support the purchase of equipment and are in place to match the business’ funding needs as it continues to expand.”

A PUBLIC relations firm founded by Spen Valley businesswoman Suzanne Johns has won two more industry awards.

The five-strong team at Bradford-based Approach PR gained silver in the category for outstanding small consultanct and best use of media relations in the annual CIPR PRide Awards at the Queen’s Hotel in Leeds.

Judges drawn from the ranks of the UK’s senior PR professionals praised Approach for “innovative campaigns, impressive results, fresh approach and a real sense of infectious enthusiasm”.

Approach won silver in the best use of media relations category for a campaign to promote a motorcycle hearse service run by a Halifax clergyman. The campaign reached more than 68m people with television, radio and newspaper coverage from Yorkshire to Australia.

Said Suzanne: “It’s the most amazing feeling to be recognised for doing what we do best. Our PR campaigns are firmly rooted in making a very real difference to our client’s business – and are always measurable.

“To have our work and our approach to PR judged to be amongst the best in the UK is the highest accolade we could have hoped for.”

Approach PR clinched the CIPR’s silver for outstanding small consultancy in 2007. It also won gold for best use of media relations and silver for best charity/not-for-profit campaign in 2005-2006.

“It’s been a fantastic year for us with a succession of new business wins and a strengthening of the team,” said Suzanne.

“Our enthusiasm and passion to get results has truly paid off and we are now looking forward to more outstanding achievements in 2009!”

Border gain A FIRM supplying motorcycle parts has reported a 15% rise in business after landing orders in Scotland.

The improvement for Milnsbridge-based Bradbury Brothers follows a tie-up with courier APC Pass the Parcel, which enables next-day delivery to Scotland using the nationwide APC Overnight parcel network.

Bradbury Brothers had been providing service parts and lubricants to motorcycle shops across northern England through APC Overnight. Now it has appointed a representative in Glasgow to extend its customer base north of the border.

Blow falls on Yorkshire

WORKERS in Yorkshire are expected to be the worst-hit outside London by job cuts in the looming recession, a report has warned.

The Local Government Association said the region could lose 170,000 jobs – or 6.8% of its workforce – by December, 2010.

Construction and manufacturing sectors will be hardest hit, the report said.

But it added that some northern

cities, such as Leeds, with a high proportion of skilled jobs, were expected to be relatively unscathed.

Only London, which is set to suffer 370,000 redundancies, or 7.9% of its workforce, will be hit harder in percentage terms than the Yorkshire and Humber region, the LGA claimed.

The report, From Recession to Recovery; The Local Dimension,

warned the Government against a blanket policy to tackle job cuts, arguing that each English region could be affected differently by the economic downturn.

The LGA, which represents local authorities in England, said 230,000 jobs were set to go in the north-west with 180,000 in the West Midlands, 280,000 in the south-east and 130,000 in the East Midlands.

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8

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Landscape firm making its mark

A LANDSCAPING contractor in Batley has become the first in West Yorkshire to be awarded the Government’s TrustMark award for reputable and trustworthy tradesmen undertaking repair, maintenance and improvement work inside and outside people’s homes.

JB Landscapes Ltd, which is already a member of the Association of Professional Landscapers, provides services including green roofing, hard landscaping, soft landscaping and maintenance.

The firm is also committed to supporting local business by sourcing materials locally and sgtrives towards a greener and cleaner environment.

“As a growing firm with over 12 years experience, we’re delighted to have our high standards recognised,” said managing director John Brennan.

“The TrustMark badge shows our customers that we are working to Government endorsed standards which cover everything from technical competence to customer service. It’s a sign that people can trust, so they know they’ll get a good job, done well and at a fair price.”

Cathy Hawkes, company secretary, said: “With the Government’s new targets for 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, we will all have to start thinking about how we can environmentally improve our surroundings.” ,

Web designers right on track A WEBSITE design business in Huddersfield is helping ITV’s Formula 1 presenter Louise Goodman (right) change lanes.

Enjoy Digital, based at Fitzwilliam Street, has designed a new website for Louise’s media training business Goodman Media.

Simon Jones, managing director of Enjoy Digital, said: “Since ITV has now lost the rights to broadcast motor racing’s F1 to the BBC, Louise will be concentrating on media training to the motor sport industry and subsequently appointed Enjoy Digital with her existing marketing agency to create the new website.

“It’s great to know we’re in demand by high profile media celebrities like Louise.”

Enjoy Digital added: “It’s fair to say we’re extremely positive about the future of

digital marketing despite the economic downturn some of the media are predicting.”

The company’s other clients include Bank of Ireland, Skipton Group and COLT Telecom.

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■ TABLE NUMBERS: McDonald’s franchisee Pritpal Singh is celebrating his 25th anniversary with the company by completing a £2m refurbishment project

Still lovin’ it!

THE owner of two fast food restaurants in Kirklees is celebrating 25 years with McDonald’s by completing a £2.5m investment programme.

Pritpal Singh owns 23 McDonald’s restaurants in Yorkshire – including one at Kirkgate in Huddersfield and others in Dewsbury, Leeds, Halifax, Shipley, Keighley, Knaresborough and Harrogate. Together, they employ more than 1,000 staff.

Mr Singh has overseen investment including the introduction of free WiFi access, new menu options, staff uniforms designed by Bruce Oldfield and the launch of a new subtler, café culture-look to the restaurants.

Said Mr Singh: “Our customers are changing and we are changing with them to meet the demand for a wide variety of food choice in a comfortable, stylish setting.

“With sales on the increase despite the current economic climate, I’m confident in investing in my restaurants with a new cutting edge designer look.

“It’s great to be completing my refurbishment projects for this year in time to celebrate my 25th anniversary at McDonald’s.

“But I have no intention of stopping here – I still have plans to invest in some of my other restaurants next year.”

Mr Singh is one of only seven joint venture partner McDonald’s franchisees.

He owns four restaurants outright and has a 50% stake with McDonald’s in the remaining 19.

He said: “I signed up to the company for another 25 years so I’m here for the long haul – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Every day is different and I have the opportunity to work with so many different people and help develop

them.

“Some of my staff who are now part of the senior management of my business, Premium Restaurants Ltd, have been with me since day one.”

Pritpal originally joined McDonald’s in 1983 as a trainee manager after

graduating from Sheffield University.

He rose through the ranks and in 1994 became franchisee of his first restaurant. Over the next 12 years, Pritpal became franchisee of four further restaurants, before becoming a Joint Venture Partner in 2006.

■ IN THE FRAME: Photographer Joseph Scanlon (third left) with the Ask Marketing team (from left) led by Susan Kenyon (third right) and their cheque for the Breast Cancer Campaign

Charity event clicks

STAFF at a marketing company in Huddersfield helped a professional photographer raise cash for the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Ask Strategic Marketing and Research, based at the Media Centre in Northumberland Street, organised a Wear it Pink charity party for Halifax-based photographer Joseph Scanlon. The event, billed as a “girly indul-

gence” party, raised £413 for the charity.

Guests included BBC Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd, celebrity hair and make-up artist Tally Bookbinder and image stylist Natalia Coleman.

Halifax lingerie boutique Femme Fatale and chocolatier Bloc Chocolate were also featured.

9

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Elland firm in Batley buy-up A COMPANY in Elland has bought a Batley business to boost its customer base.

Garlock (Great Britain) Ltd, which provides sealing products for a range of industries, has paid an undisclosed sum for sealings distributor and gaskets manufacturer Northern Gaskets and Mouldings Ltd. Stuart Phythian, managing director of Garlock, said NGM added “considerable capability” to Garlock’s UK operation by providing direct access to end-users of its products and adding to Garlock’s range of products and services.

NGM, which employs 13 people, was formed 14 years ago by directors Paul Stanfield and Phil Brumfield and supplies customers in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical and oil and gas industries.

Following the deal, NGM, based at Norquest Industrial Park, will remain in Batley with Mr Stanfield as sales director and Mr Brumfield as operations director.

T h e c o m p a ny b e g a n i n premises at Chickenley, Dewsbury, but moved to its current site in 1997 to treble available manufacturing space. Since 2000, it has invested in new computerised cutting equipment to maintain its

■ WINNING LINE: Learners of The Year (front, from left) Ewelina Wojcik, Liam Sinfield and Daniel Lutkin with (back) Textile Centre chairman Paul Johnson, Learning & Skills Council director Clive Howarth and Huddersfield Textile Society president Bill Skidmore

Apprentices rewarded ■ SEALING THE DEAL: Philip Brumfield (left) and Paul Stanfield (centre), of Northern Gaskets and Mouldings Ltd, with Stuart Phythian, managing director of Garlock (Great Britain) Ltd

standing in a competitive market.

Garlock, based at Lowfields Business Park, dates back to1887 and supplies products to sectors ranging from Formula One motor sport, mining equipment, oil and gas production and processing and nuclear power gener-

ation.

Garlock (Great Britain) Ltd is the UK subsidiary of Garlock Sealing Technologies – a company with 18 sites employing more than 1,700 people and a distributor network that covers 75 countries in Europe, Asia, the USA and Latin America.

APPRENTICES and learners have been presented with awards in Huddersfield.

Trainees who have gained qualifications in areas including information technology, trainer training, health and safety, textile manufacturing and technical textiles at the Textile Centre of Excellence, Red Doles Lane.

The prizewinners included Learners of The Year Ewelina Wojcik, Liam Sinfield and Daniel Lutkin.

The presentations were made by

textile centre chairman Paul Johnson, managing director of Moldgreen-based dyers and finishers W T Johnson and Sons; and Bill Skidmore, president of Huddersfield Textile Society.

The speaker was Clive Howarth, skills development director at the Learning and Skills Council.

Recipients, their employers and families, were welcomed to the event by textile centre managing director Bill Macbeth.

Order books looking good as firm gets set to recruit A DEWSBURY company is set to recruit more staff after boosting its order book.

Precision machined components manufacturer Ramco CNC has grown to employ 17 people from a standing start eight years ago and has invested £350,000 in new machines to make its workshops among the most modern in the region.

The firm, part of the Richard Alan Group, supplies customers in sectors including oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and engineering.

General manager Kevin Perree said: “We have built our success by providing the highest quality products and the very best customer service.

“The consistency of our machinery, our highly skilled engineers and our excellent track record of meeting and beating customer deadlines as well as competitive pricing has helped us to build our reputation.

“This recent investment helps to differentiate us from our competitors, but we are always striving to improve our capability and systems of work as well working hard to build and enhance first class relationships with our existing customers.”

Said Mr Perree: “This year, we recruited two local students from Huddersfield Training College and will be looking to take on two more next year.

We have an excellent relationship with the college and every year accept students for work experience.

“This is a highly skilled profession and it makes sense for us to offer proper, shop floor based apprentice training. And this works for our staff too. They come to learn, like what they learn and ■ SUCCESS: Kevin Perree, general manager of Ramco CNC in Dewsbury stay.”

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10

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

ON THE MOVE

Agency chairman for another year Mark Scanlon has been appointed managing director of vehicle management group FMG Support.

Mr Scanlon (left), who joined the Bradley Mills-based business 12 months ago as commercial director, has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands.

His previous posts include head of global business development at BAE Systems and managing director of Dyson’s commercial division.

Chief executive Nick Brown (right) said the appointment reflected FMG Support’s plans for future growth.

The group is recruiting 100 extra staff after winning a three-year national recovery management contract with the Highways Agency.

Sales task BIBBY Financial Services has promoted Graham Cooper (right) to the role of sales director for Yorkshire and the north-east.

The move further strengthens the invoice and asset-based financier’s national presence and give support to the growing number of businesses seeking alternative financial solutions throughout the area.

Said Mr Cooper: “The global credit crunch is impacting all sectors of British business regardless of size or industry.

“With banks more cautious about lending money, more and more

nomic uncertainty will affect the way our region’s businesses need to operate to survive.

“As the chair of Yorkshire Forward, I am part of that important support mechanism – not just for business survival but business growth – throughout Yorkshire and Humber.”

Mr Hodgkinson was appointed chairman in December, 2003, and has acted for all RDAs on a numbr of national issues, including maintaining relationships with the Treasury, the CBI and the TUC. He brings more than 30 years business experience to the post.

Over the past year, Yorkshire Forward has created or safeguarded more than 22,254 jobs, helped 60,005 people improve their skills, created 1,067 businesses and attracted £467m in investment.

■ FORWARD PLANNER: Terry Hodgkinson, chairman of Yorkshire Forward, who has been asked by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson to serve for a further year tp help ensure business services are focused in the current climate

Ajaz among board members businesses are turning away from the more traditional forms of funding to investigate the alternatives such as the invoice finance solutions provided by Bibby Financial Services.”

Bibby Financial Services now has a network of 16 operating units throughout the UK and Ireland, with overseas companies in Poland, France, Germ a n y, t h e C z e c h Republic, Slovakia, the USA, Canada, Australia and India .

Quick work COMMERCIAL law firm Lupton Fawcett has promoted Duncan Milwain to the post of director – just five years after he joined the firm as an assistant solicitor.

Mr Milwain (right) is a specialist in tax and estate planning and charity law and a member of the Charity Law Association.

He joined Lupton Fawcett in 2004 and was promoted to associate in the same year.

The following year, he was made head of the

DEVELOPMENT agency Yorkshire Forward has announced that chairman Terry Hodgkinson is to stay in his current role for a further 12 months.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, said the chairmen of seven out of the UK’s nine regional development agencies would have their appointments extended for a year to ensure business support remained focused.

Mr Hodgkinson, who was due to give up his role in December, 2009, said: “I very much welcome this great opportunity to continue to be a part of the important role Yorkshire Forward plays in developing our regional economy and I thank Lord Mandelson for his continued support.

“I am in a somewhat privileged position.

“As a businessman, I understand how this period of eco-

trusts, wills and estates department.

Mr Milwain is now one of six directors at Lupton Fawcett who specialise in managing the personal legal and financial needs of its clients.

Lupton Fawcett has 31 directors of whom five are non-solicitors.

HUDDERSFIELD businessman Ajaz Ahmed is among four people to join the board of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Mr Ahmed, co-founder of internet service provider Freeserve, is joined by Julie Kenny, John Vincent and Bill Adams on the board.

The appointments were approved

by Pat McFadden, Minister of State for Employment Relations

Rebecca on board BRANDING agency Clearsilver has appointed Rebecca Lynch to its life and style public relations team.

Ms Lynch, who graduated from Leeds University in 2005 with a degree in communication studies, boasts an impressive journalistic background in both lifestyle and financial fields. She has worked as a freelance for publications including The Leeds Guide, H2B Journal, Dining out and Plush magazine and gained employment as a copywriter for a top financial company.

Clearsilver’s new Life & Style division provides PR and marketing for clients including hair and beauty giant BaByliss PRO, Leeds bars Oporto, Jakes Bar and The Angel’s Share.

and Postal Affairs.

Ms Kenny, who has served on the board for six years, is being reappointed to the position and is founder and managing director of award winning Pyronix Ltd. Mr Vincent is a director of construction planning and advisory body and Mr Adams is Yorkshire regional secretary of the TUC and is alo a member of the Work and Skills Board in Sheffield.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Forward said the newly-appointed members, who will serve until December, 2011, would join the board in focusing their efforts towards the economic challenges continuing in the region and beyond, adding: “Yorkshire Forward will be able to use the knowledge and expertise of the new board members to help the region tackle the economic crisis.”

BES is getting technical ALAN Somers has been appointed to the t e c h n i c a l a dv i s o r y board at Huddersfield-based property compliance specialist BES Consulting.

Mr Somers joins the Moldgreen-based company after 25 years in the fire service. He worked his way up to the position of divisional commander and was North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s perfor mance review officer.

He was also seconded to the Home Office as an instructor at the Fire Service College, where he specialised in training crews for incidents involving hazardous material.

In his new role, Mr Somers will ensure that BES offers services based on the latest fire compliance legislation.

He will also be part of the company’s quality team, assessing the skills and competence of its field-based surveyors. BES Consulting, which has offices and surveyors across the UK, provides managed services covering areas such as fire, asbestos, health and safety.

Three joining ING FLEET management company ING Car Lease has appointed three new members of staff to senior roles at the Leeds-based firm.

Jackie Wright has more than 18 years experience in customer service, with 16 years spent at Halifax Bank where she managed a team of 100 to achieve world-class levels of customer service.

At ING Car Lease, she oversees a team of 40 divided between the offices in Leeds and Bracknell and is responsible for reviewing current systems and processes and strategically planning the

future of the customer service department.

Jim McNally joins the company as head of pricing, based at Bracknell. He previously worked for the firm eight years ago. In his new role, he is responsible for its competitive position and mitigating risk within the fiercely competitive fleet market place.

Karen Skidmore builds on four years’ experience at ING with the project team for the development of the e-communications systems, by taking the role as e-services manager.

BDO adds to Leeds team

ACCOUNTANCY and business advisory firm BDO Stoy Hayward has strengthened its team in Leeds.

The firm has appointed Dan Brookes (left) as a new tax director specialising in work on a global basis for a number of multi-national clients.

Mr Brookes joins from Ernst & Young, where he worked for 10 years. His new role will see him involved with BDO’s international tax network.

C L A S S I C A L F l a gstones has named Damian Gardner (above) as the manager of its new showroom in Redbrick Mill in Batley.

Mr Gardner, who lives in Huddersfield, studied accountancy and law, but changed his career direction and has held sales and retail management roles in sports and clothing sectors.

He has proven so successful that he is also a business mentor for start-up businesses in the area, giving advice on planning, marketing.

Damian loves windsurfing and snow boarding in winter and spending time with his children.

11

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Energy saving to cheer publicans HARD-PRESSED publicans could save thousands of pounds by taking up energy saving measures, an expert has claimed.

Pub and restaurant operators – battling against a slump in consumer spending and competition from supermarkets selling cheap alcohol – could slash £11,000 a year off their utility bills by taking five simple steps to cut energy waste, it was said.

Steve Daniels, sales and marketing director for Moldgreen-based BES Consulting, said fitting low energy light bulbs could save £4,000 a year for a medium-sized pub-restaurant.

Setting the timing, zoning and temperature controls correctly on heaters and boilers would avoid many pubs paying for water to be heated in the middle of the night or heating the bar area when it is closed.

Other measures included closing cellar doors and using thermal curtains in the cellar to reduce the level of cooling required, fitting light sensitive sensors to outside lights so that they don’t operate during daylight and training staff to be mindful of energy waste and its impact on profitability.

Said Mr Daniels: “A large pub with a

■ SAVING : Steve Daniels, sales and marketing director, BES Consulting

restaurant pays about £45,000 a year for energy. It is easy to reduce this by about 25%.

“We have worked with pubs across the country and we know that even small

pubs could add £2,500 to their bottom line by cutting the amount of energy that they waste – and in today’s market conditions this is a crucial saving.”

He said: ““As our checklist shows, not all energy saving requires investment.

Changes in behaviour alone can bring huge cost and environmental benefits – and even more reductions can be achieved with minimal and low cost building work.

“Furthermore, customers expect all companies to be taking prudent measures to cut their carbon footprint and pubs need to show that they are taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of their businesses.”

BES Consulting, which has offices and surveyors across the UK, produces Energy Performance Certificates for thousands of pubs and other commercial properties.

The company recently announced a £1m investment in building a field team of surveyors qualified to help publicans to reduce their energy costs and attain Energy Performance Certificates.

BES Consulting is the UK’s leading property compliance company.

Award winner with impact!

A MARKETING agency making a lot of noise in business has won an award.

Bang Marketing Ltd is the latest winner of the Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award.

The accolade was awarded by an independent panel of judges, who highlighted Bang’s continued growth as the main reason for the decision.

Established as a graphic design agency in 1993, Bang has now developed into a full service marketing agency specialising in branding, strategic marketing, and web and digital media for clients throughout the UK. Bang’s 2008 mid-year accounts revealed that gross profits had increased by over a third, further strengthening its position after it recorded its most profitable ever year in 2007/08.

Chris Garratt, marketing director at Bang, said: “2008 has been a brilliant year for Bang Marketing. Profits have increased by over 33%, we’ve taken on three new members of staff and have recently signed terms on the two largest contracts in our company’s history.

“It’s particularly pleasing to have achieved this in a challenging financial climate and it’s great to gain independent recognition for this success.”

Bang will now be entered into the

■ BIG NOISE: Jane Mahaffey (centre), of Eaton Smith, presents the award to Matthew Skelland (third right), of Bang Marketing, with (from left) Colin Barratt, of Wheawill & Sudworth; Raymond Butterworth, of Boultons; Anne Gerard, of the Mid Yorkshire Chambr of Commerce; and Chris Garratt and Warren Watts, both of Bang region’s annual award ceremony held in July 2009, where it will compete against 11 other monthly winners for the coveted Business of the Year award.

The award is run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in association with

Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce. It is open to all companies in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. For details go to www.eatonsmith.co.uk or contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389.

Marketing move’s Fantastic PROPERTY investment company Emerging Real Estate has launched an email marketing campaign with Birstall-based Fantastic Media.

Fantastic created targeted monthly mailshots which are send to Emerging Real Estate’s subscribers list – keeping them informed of the latest developments

and new property markets.

Becky Tipton, account manager at Fantastic, said: “Our email marketing campaigns have an outstanding success rate. We are able to analyse the results and give clients a clear picture of who responds to which messages and essentially provide our clients with warm leads.”

Deborah Fox, of Emerging Real Estate, said: “We approached Fantastic after being impressed with the work displayed on the company’s website.

“They are able to be creative while generating results – and for a sales driven company such as ourselves that is essential.”

BANKER'S BLOG Jill Hague

Currency conundrums

HE momentous events in the global T financial markets over the past weeks have been without precedent.

The co-ordinated actions of the world’s central banks highlight the increasing diverse range of measures being adopted by policymakers in order to stem a collapse in confidence.

There have been many high profile banking casualties both here and abroad and there are ongoing concerns that corporates and financial institutions can no longer rely on cheap credit.

While central bank intervention may have aided the banking system, the prospects for the global economy and world trade are still very unclear.

The banking crisis came on top of a backdrop of a weakening global economy with many analysts concerned that the USA, UK and eurozone are all flirting with recession. Even the mighty emerging market countries such as China and India are beginning to slow, while coping with runaway inflation and weakening stock markets.

A major by-product of these dramatic events has been a huge rise in volatility levels with massive daily gyrations in all markets including equities, commodities and foreign exchange.

For UK businesses which trade overseas, volatile foreign exchange rates pose a considerable danger to profitability and makes budgeting for 2009 extremely difficult.

For instance, let’s consider recent moves in the value of sterling against the US dollar. On July 22, GBP / USD was $2.00, a level that ‘Cable’ had been happily trading around for much of the previous 12 months. A few weeks later, however, on November 20, it stood at around $1.50 – the lowest level since 2003.

This precipitous decline effectively means that UK importers who pay suppliers in USD experienced a 33% increase in their import costs in a matter of months. Similarly, importers from Euroland felt the chill wind of higher import costs earlier this year when sterling fell from €1.44 in October 2007 to a low of €1.17 in November, 2008.

This decline in the pound comes on top of weakening consumer demand and official inflation of 4.5%, which is pushing up most other business costs thereby adding to pressure on margins. Most businesses will not have budgeted to pass on these higher import costs and may be unable to raise their prices when demand from consumers is moderating. For UK exporters, however, this recent drop in the pound has been welcome news. The more sterling declines, the more pounds an exporter receives for a given amount of foreign currency earned in overseas markets. However, the dangers of FX volatility still apply.

However, there is some good news. There are simple ways to manage these fluctuations – to protect against adverse moves in FX rates and retain favourable FX rates when they appear.

The key question to ask is whether, in the current volatile market, can your business afford to do nothing about its foreign exchange exposures and leave everything to chance?

HSBC has a local team of risk management specialists to help you deal with today’s volatile markets and plan ahead for 2009. For further details on how HSBC can help, please contact me on jillhague@hsbc.com Jill Hague is Head of Commercial Banking for HSBC in Huddersfield

12

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Agency has the ‘sense’ to impress A BRANDING and design consultancy in Huddersfield has won an industry award for showing “a little sense”.

Bradley-based 10 Associates won the category for the best direct mail or promotional item in the 2008 Cream Yorkshire Awards held at The Oracle in Leeds.

Jill Peel, creative director at 10 Associates, said: “It’s great to be recognised in the design world for the work we do. We believe great design can help build great businesses, especially in the current economic climate.”

The award recognises the consultancy’s work on a project for Leeds-based web design agency Sense.

The result was a stylish hard-back case bound boom called A Little Book of Sense, which was distributed to potential clients and given away at the Internet World Exhibition at Earl’s Court in London.

Sense has since gone on to win two regional awards and is a regional finalist in the National Business Awards.

■ NEW HIGH: Chris Hopkins (left) managing director at Brighouse-based Ploughcroft Building Services, with Stephen Feather, the first Rooferman franchisee

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Roofer aims for top with franchise plan

AN award-winning roofing firm is set to scale new heights with the launch of a pioneering UK franchise venture.

Brighouse-based Ploughcroft Building Services Ltd has set up Rooferman, offering prospective roofers the chance to set up a man-in-a-van business without the usual risks associated with going into business.

The move comes just days after Ploughcroft was named Employer of the Year at the Examiner Business Awards in recognition of its commitment to training and rewarding its employees – and providing facilities for training to its industry rivals.

Managing director Chris Hopkins said the Rooferman scheme aimed to extend its quality standards across the country to deliver “a new national generation of highly trained roof repair and maintenance personnel”.

Under the new scheme, franchisees will get intensive training at Ploughcroft’s purpose-built training academy on Owler Ings Road – covering areas such as practical roofing techniques, repair and maintenance methods and installing “green” technologies such as solar panels.

In addition a support package will include regular visits from a franchise manager, a mentoring programme, top-up training as and when required, performance benchmarking and regular networking meetings.

Mr Hopkins said: “Having started trading as a father-and-son operation, I know only too well the risks associated with going it alone.

“However, I also know that as a well-established company now, we often struggle to look after clients wanting smaller roof repairs, leaving a real niche to be filled.

“There are considerable opportunities in the roofing market for smaller businesses whose personnel are properly trained and able to be flexible and work to a proven system.

Said Mr Hopkins: “The Rooferman franchise venture provides the ideal answer because franchisees benefit from the full backing of our head office, which takes care of all the paperwork.

“Also, all jobs go through a centralised call centre and are then forwarded by text to the

franchisees in the regions, which means roofers are not disturbed while working on the roofs.

“By providing excellent training and support, we are not only helping small businesses get off the ground, but are also giving property owners a recognised UK brand they can rely on for consistent quality work and great customer service.”

Mr Hopkins said that in the current economi climate, many homeowners were looking to repair and maintain their existing property rather than put their house on the market And increasing number of homeowners were also looking for ways to modify their homes in order to become more cost effective and environmentally friendly in the long term – by measures such as installing solar panels to roofs.

As well as scooping the Examiner prize, Ploughcroft won the National Home Improvement Council’s award for innovation in training last year and was top specialist contractor in the Best Places to Work in Construction Awards.

‘Look out for disgruntled employees’ EMPLOYERS in Kirklees have been warned to safeguard their computer systems from angry employees facing redundancy.

The warning comes after a survey suggested that half of IT staff would look for information to use against their employer should they be fired as the recession takes hold.

The survey by security systems seller Cyber-Ark said data that could be stolen included confidential corporate information, customer databases and computer passwords.

It said 46% of IT workers polled would

trawl the company system for a redundancy list if there were rumours of job cuts.

Malcolm Pow, Holmfirth-based director of computer support company Ulysses IT said data security was something that must be considered an essential part of the preparation for cutting jobs.

“The modern technology which makes it easy to share data and information anywhere also makes it easy to steal,” said Mr Pow. “It can take just a few minutes for an entire database that has taken years to build to be copied to a CD or data pen.

“Any business with employees should

have basic security in place to make it hard for staff to copy data they have no right to.

And in the event of job losses, access should be limited and passwords changed immediately.”

Mr Pow said: “It may seem cold to cut someone’s computer access rights as soon as you have made them redundant, but you must consider how you would feel if your data fell into a competitors’ hands.”

Mr Pow also warned firms ensure their systems were protected from online criminals if employees used their work computers to go Christmas shopping on the web.

13

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Agency wins capital prize

Glass act for Dortech

A GLAZING company in Huddersfield has helped restore a 1930s landmark building in Leeds.

Dor tech Architectural Systems, based at Old Fieldhouse Lane, supplied glazing for Broad Gate, a former department store at The Headrow in the heart of the city.

The building has been restored to its former glory using a combination of traditional Portland stone and brick teamed with modern glazing.

The features include a blue-tinted, top hung curtain wall stretching over five storeys and flooding natural light into the building. The focal point is a full height glazed atrium.

Further curtain walling has been installed to the roof area, sited either side of the lift housing.

The developer said: “The finished scheme represents a unique combination of the

P R I N T

PROPERTY agent Knight Frank is a winner.

The agency’s Leeds and Sheffield offices claimed the prizes for office and investment agency in the Property Week Yorkshire and North East Awards. The offices were also shortlisted in the category for industrial agency.

The inaugural awards, run by English Partnerships and Property Week, took place at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

The event, hosted by Rory Bremner, was attended by more than 400 people.

Alex Munro, partner for commercial agency development at Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “This is a tremendous coup for Knight Frank in Yorkshire and is a tribute to everyone’s hard work in these challenging times.”

Other winners included BAM Properties, CTP St James’s St Paul’s Place in Sheffield, Aurora Properties, Lloyds TSB and ING's St Stephen's shopping centre in Hull.

past and future of Leeds. It provides an unprecedented oppor tunity to acquire prime office space and retail facilities in the heart of the city.”

■ LIGHT SHOW: Glazing specialist Dortech Architectural Systems has supplied glass for Broad Gate department store at The Headrow, Leeds

New owner at nursing home A CARE home in Huddersfield has changed hands as part of a takeover deal.

Cowlersley Court Nursing Home, at Cowlersley Lane, Cowersley has been bought by Halifax-based Eldercare along with four other homes in a deal funded by Royal Bank of Scotland.

The value of the deal has not been revealed.

The acquisitions increase the total number of homes under Eldercare’s control to 12, giving them a total capacity of more than 369 beds and making the company one of Yorkshire’s largest care home providers.

The other homes acquired in the deal are in Halifax, Knottingley and Rochdale, Lancashire.

Eldercare is owned by Brian and Helene Vincent, who have been involved in the care sector for more than 15 years.

Their other homes include ones in Leeds, Halifax, Bradford and Rochdale as well as the Ashleigh home at Newsome and Sun Woodhouse home at Fartown.

They are also involved in an associate company, Queensland Care Ltd, which operates three care homes in Ilkley and Harrogate.

Speaking about the acquisitions, Mr Vincent said: “These are well managed and maintained homes that have a good reputation locally.

“Our strategy has been to grow our portfolio by acquiring quality homes and these certainly fulfil this criteria.

“We are very pleased to have concluded this transaction.”

Maxine Gay, senior relationship manager at RBS in Leeds, said: “Brian and the rest of his team are experienced operators and have a long record of delivering excellent care facilities.”

Success on the cards at Dewsbury

FORMER Paralympic sprinter Paul Cartwright cut the ribbon to open a charity shop with a difference in Dewsbury.

Paul, who is also north-east regional officer for the Angling for People with Disabilities, performed the opening of the Star Shop Enterprise at Kirklees College’s Dewsbury centre.

The shop had a successful first day of trading – taking more than £100 in sales of cards, cushions, bird tables, plants and other items for Children in Need.

The shop, a new business venture to help students gain business and entrepreneurial skills, will be open until Christmas – with products including door wreaths made by the students. It will also celebrate Eid in early December with as range of hand-made Eid cards.

Company news?

Contact Henryk Zientek on 01484 437766

Loyalty wins its reward A BRIGHOUSE man has been recognised for 30 years of loyal service.

Robert Turner, 54, is set to enjoy a luxury break with his wife Jackie at a top country hotel in Nottinghamshire as a reward for his years of service with air conditioning and refrigeration company Crowther and Shaw.

Mr Turner is a senior refrigeration and air conditioning engineer with the firm, which is based at Queen’s Mill Road in Huddersfield. He has worked all over the country servicing and fitting systems in locations ranging from corner shops to hospitals and office build-

ings.

Mr Turner was named Service Engineer of the Year in 2004. During his time with Crowther & Shaw, he has also helped to train 25 apprentices.

A keen snooker player, Mr Turner has two sons, Andrew, who also works for Crowther & Shaw, and David.

Crowther & Shaw director Mark Gledhill said: “Robert is far and away our longest serving employee. It is quite an achievement, par ticularly in our industry which is known for its high staff turnover with people moving around quite a bit from firm to firm.”

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14

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Agency joins the jet set

UNIVERSITY VIEW Glynis Jones

Taking great care

S I was sitting at my desk, trying A to decide what would be an appropriate topic for this edition of Kirklees

Business News, an email popped into my inbox.

It was my regular update from the McKinsey Quarterly entitled “Smart Cost-cutting in the Downturn”. One of the articles “Maintaining the Customer Experience” was of particular interest to me, as I am passionate about customer care. But how could a journal read by global business leaders help us in Huddersfield?

In difficult economic conditions, most businesses attempt to cut costs, but McKinsey highlighted that “stinting on customer service is a common and sometimes costly response”. It seems to me that in these challenging times we need to be thinking about managing our customers’ experience with the aim of maintaining loyalty.

Research has shown that it is more cost effective to retain customers than it is to attract new ones. We know that many customers don’t bother to complain, they simply vote with their feet. It is also the case that dissatisfied customers appear to have more friends than satisfied ones! How often when we are customers ourselves, do we complain to friends and acquaintances about poor customer services, yet less often spread the word about the excellent customer service we have received.

Understanding how our customers are judging our service is vitally important, so understanding the “perception points” is essential to any business. At what point in the transaction do customers make judgements about your business? We also need to recognise that customers have a zone of tolerance, within which they will put up with less than perfect customer service, but how far does this zone extend?

It seems to me that a great analogy for customer service is Mrs Do As You Would Be Done By from the old Charles Kingsley classic The Water Babies. If you were a customer of your business, how would you like to be treated? Unable to get out of the menu loop when calling the customer care centre? Arriving at an empty cafe at 11am in search of a ‘full English’ only to be told, that they have stopped serving breakfast?

So what should we be doing to delight our customers? ●Focus on your customers and treat them as individuals ●Don’t keep the customer hanging on the line - answer telephone calls quickly and call back promptly, if you can’t provide an answer immediately ●Ensure that members of staff greet your customers with a smile – it works on the phone too and it doesn’t cost a penny! ●When you have made a mistake, apologise, empathise and put it right ●Ensure that your staff members take ownership of the problem, rather than simply saying, “It’s nothing to do with me”.

Customers pay everyone’s wages! ●Welcome complaints – they allow you to recover the sale and improve your service ●Go the extra mile in an effort to solve your customers’ problems – they will appreciate it!

Glynis Jones Department of Strategy and Marketing University of Huddersfield

■ WINNERS ALL: pictured with their trophy and certificste are (back) Chris Graefe, head of residential services, and Sylvia Ryan, NVQ co-ordinator at Thomas Danby College, with (front, from left) payroll administrator Anne Thorpe, head of human resources Katie Coombes, head of business development Alison Howard and training administrator Jan Woodhead

Training pays off A MIRFIELD organisation helping profoundly disabled people has won an award for being an outstanding employer.

Hollybank Trust was named best employer with more than 250 staff at the Skills for Care Accolades held at the Landmark Hotel, London.

The competition was open to employers in the care industry across the UK. It recognises Hollybank Trust for employee training of the highest standards.

Alison Howard, head of business development for the trust, said: “Winning this award is brilliant.

“The evening was a wonderful celebration of the

success of social care organisations and the impact on those who use the services. It was a thrill to receive the award as Best Employer over 250 staff.

“Our congratulations go to all the staff whose commitment to providing a valuable and high standard of service is exemplary.”

The trust was also highly commended in the category for the most innovative and effective recruitment initiative that brings new and returning people to the workforce.

Hollybank Trust is a registered charity providing education and care for children, young people and adults with profound physical disabilities.

PUBLIC relations company Beattie Communications has landed a contract with easyJet. The agency beat off competition in a five-way pitch to secure the high profile account with the UK’s most best-known budget airline.

Beattie’s first easyJet campaign will launch the company’s new route from London Gatwick to Helsinki.

Beattie will also work closely with easyJet to promote the brand to both leisure and business travellers.

Victoria Walker, director of Beattie Communications, said: “This is a fantastic success story for Beattie and we have more than 100 Beattie team members all keen to work on this account!

“Our easyJet team will include consumer PR specialists from across Beattie’s UK-wide network of offices.”

Beattie has offices in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Scotland. Clients include Sri Lankan Airlines, Marks & Spencer, Specsavers, GlaxoSmithKline and Kerry Foods.

Surefoot doesn’t slip up!

A COMPANY providing non-slip surface coatings for shopping centres and reception areas has launched a new website.

Surefoot Systems UK, founded in 2002

by Huddersfield-based coatings expert Karl Ward, has doubled turnover in the past 12 months and become a leading suppliers of non-slip safety surfacing coatings, including ones complying with the Disability Discrimination Act. The company’s clients include local authorities, high street retail and the leisure and hospitality industry.

The new website – www.surefootsytems.com – has been created to provide an overview of the company’s services and products as well as case studies of projects.

Said Mr Ward said: “Slips and trips are the most common cause of non-fatal major injuries in both manufacturing and service industries.

“As Surefoot Systems has grown year on year, we felt the increasing need for a presence on the web as our customers come from all over the UK and France.

“The new site is aimed at answering any questions about our services that potential customers may have as well as highlighting all the safety surfacing treatments and disability compliant systems we offer.”

■ PLANNING BRIEF: Huddersfield WiRE network leader Sarah Gathercote (eft) with (from left) Julie Gordge; Brenda Hodgson; Barbara Poisson; and Calderdale WiRE network leader Sharon Mackle

Inspiring women at work WOMEN in business are set to be inspired at an event early in the new year.

The Huddersfield and Calderdale WiRE networks – standing for Women in Rural Enterprises – is hosting the event, Inspiring Women in Business, from 10am to 2pm on Thursday, January 22, at the Textile Centre of Excellence, Red Doles Lane, Huddersfield.

The aim is to inspire women to set up

their dream business or ensure their existing business continues to run during the harsh economic climate.

Key speakers will be Sally Robinson, of mail order company Ample Bosom; physiotherapist Georgie Oldfield, of the Longley-based Pain Relief Centre; and Helen Williams, of life coaching business Helipad Lifestyles.

For more details, ring 01484 500461.

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Law firm gains IT upgrade

TAX TALK Colin Barratt

Chancellor checklist N his Pre-Budget report, the ChancelItectlor concentrated on measures to proand support businesses and

individuals in these “extraordinary, challenging times for the global economy”.

The main tax proposals are: ● The standard rate of VAT has been reduced from 17.5% to 15% for supplies of goods and services, imports and acquisitions of goods from other EC member states made in the period December 1, 2008, to December 31, 2009. No changes have been made to the 5% reduced or the 0% rate ● From 2009/10 the personal allowance rises to £6,475 and the basic rate limit will be increased to £37,400. An individual will then start to pay 40% tax once their total income exceeds £43,875. ● From 2010/11 it is proposed that the personal allowance will be subject to an income limit of £100,000. An individual’s personal allowance will be reduced by £1 for every £2 of gross income they have above the income limit up to a maximum reduction of half of the personal allowance. For those with income of above a second income limit of £140,000, the amount of their allowance will be similarly reduced up to a maximum of the full amount of the personal allowance.

Gross income for these purposes is broadly all income after adjustment for pension payments, charitable giving and relief for losses.

Further advance changes which are intended to take effect from 2011/12 are a new 45% rate of income tax to apply to taxable income above £150,000 and increase of 0.5% in the rates of national insurance payable by employers’, employees’ and the self employed.

The corporation tax rate which applies to small companies with taxable profits of up to £300,000 was increased from 20% to 21% from April 1, 2008.

However, the intended further increase in the rate to 22% in 2009 has been deferred until April 1, 2010.

In the Pre-Budget Report, the Chancellor announced temporary changes to the tax relief available for loss making businesses.

Under the current rules, an unincorporated business can offset a trading loss against other income arising in the same year the loss arose or against other income of the preceding year.

For 2008/09 only, such businesses will also be able to carry back a trading loss against profits of the previous three years with losses being carried back against later years first.

After carry back to the preceding year, a maximum of £50,000 of the balance of unused losses will then be available for carry back to the earlier two years.

Similar provisions will apply for companies making trading losses in accounting periods ending in the period November 24, 2008, to November 23, 2009.

Whether the above changes will help individuals and businesses through these difficult times remains to be seen.

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

15

■ PRIZE NIGHT: Jeremy Garside, senior partner of Chadwick Lawrence (left), with Mamas and Papas representatives Richard Spychalski and Phil Daniels (centre), who accepted the Business Person of the Year Award on behalf of David and luise Scacchetti

Saluting all the winners!

LEADING figures from the Kirklees business community celebrated success at the Galpharm Stadium – when more than 300 people attended a glittering black-tie dinner and presentation ceremony at the third annual Examiner Business Awards.

The landmark event, sponsored by law firm Chadwick Lawrence, was held to honour some of the district’s foremost companies and individuals.

Awards were presented in 11 categories, including ones for the New Business of the Year, the Employer of the Year, the International Business of the Year and the Business of the Year.

There were also accolades for companies excelling in the fields of creativity, regeneration, environmental performance and community activities.

Sectors represented included manufacturing, construction, marketing and branding, catering, transport, retailing, leisure and business services.

The most prestigious prize – for Business Person of the Year – was shared by husband and wife team David and Luisa Scacchetti, founders of international nursery products firm Mamas and Papas.

The trophy was presented by Jeremy Garside, senior partner at award sponsor Chadwick Lawrence, to Phil Daniels and Richard Spychalski, representing David and Luisa, who were unable to attend.

Mr Garside told the audience how the Scachettis were moved to set up their business when they were expecting their first child and were disappointed with the choice of goods for new-born babies and their parents generally available in the shops.

The firm, which has its head office, distribution centre and a showroom at Colnebridge, now has more than 30 stores in the UK and some 1,100 staff. It has a range of more than 2,500 products and achieved sales exceeding £130m in 2007.

Introducing the category, Mr Garside described Mamas and Papas as one of Huddersfield’s foremost firms, adding: “When it comes to a bright business idea, trust Mum and Dad!” Mr Daniels said: “It is a great pleasure on behalf of Mamas & Papas to accept this award for David and Luisa. Theirs is a

■ CROWD PLEASER: Speaker Paul Fletcher gets his message across

fantastic story – and Huddersfield is very important to the company. The local people who have joined Mamas & Papas have helped create its success.”

Other winners included Huddersfield University for its multi-million pound investments in regeneration projects in the town; Mirfield and Meltham textile firm Camira for a environmental achievement – including a project to turn nettles into fabrics for seat covers; and Netherton haulier The Pink Link for its formidable record raising cash for charities.

Another major award winner was fast-expanding vehicle management group FMG Support, based at St Andrew’s Road, Bradley Mills, which took the title of Business of the Year.

The guest speaker at the awards was former footballer Paul Fletcher, who helped develop the Galpharm Stadium – then the McAlpine – during his time as chief executive of Huddersfield Town. He went on to mastermind the development of Bolton Wanderers’ Reebok Stadium and Coventry City’s Ricoh Stadium as well as spending 18 months on the Wembley Stadium scheme.

Mr Fletcher told guests: “We are in a building that was and still is a fantastic achievement. This came about because some sensible people were able to sit round a table together and do business together. That is what business should be about.”

A HUDDERSFIELD company has helped a law firm upgrade its IT systems.

Lockwood-based P2 Technologies was brought in to provide a cost-effective service for banner Jones, which operates from seven offices in North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

P2 have provided a flexible IT support plan with guaranteed service levels covering all networked IT systems at Banner Jones offices.

Andrew Sharp, of Banner Jones, said: “Our success is built on our high quality of service, so it is important to us that we can trust our key suppliers to support our own services.

“Having known the directors at P2 Technologies for a number of years, we value their ongoing advice and know that they deliver when we need them to.”

Roger Pearson, of P2 Technologies, added: “Our clients want IT systems which fit together and work the way they do. We listen carefully, think and apply expert knowledge to give them exactly that.

“Banner Jones will gain immediately from controlled costs and fast, decisive response to support issues. They will continue to benefit from having an IT supplier with 20 years of legal technology experience.”

P2 Technologies specialise in supplying legal IT, telephones and software to firms in the north of England. The P2 team have spent almost 20 years developing and supporting legal and financial IT software and services.

Butcher is a cut above A HOLMFIRTH butchers has won a gold award for its sirloin steak in a national award.

Addy's Butchers, of Hade Edge, landed the honour in the 2008 Smithfield Awards, run by the Q Guild, which represents some of the best butchers in Britain.

Addy’s also scooped three silver awards for its meat and potato pie, Cumberland sausage and farmhouse sausage.

Butcher Brindon Addy, who is chairman of the north-east region of the Q Guild, travelled to the Butchers Hall in London to receive his awards from TV chef and cookery school proprietor Lesley Waters.

The Smithfield Awards are among the most prestigious in the meat industry.

More than 400 products from Q butchers throughout the UK were assessed by an independent panel of experts at the meat technology department at Thomas Danby College, Leeds.

16

Textile talents WORKERS at two Huddersfield firms have been hailed as “hidden heroes” for the fashion and textiles sector.

Louise Taylor, a technical development engineer at Camira Fabrics, and Hajrah Sarfraz, tailor and manager of clothing manufacturer Ezaah Tailorz, were among 50 people across the UK to get a Behind the Seams award for technical and creative skill.

Louise was nominated

by Cheryl Kindness, development director of Camira Fabrics, which has offices in Mirfield and a manufacturing site in Meltham.

Louise was praised for her work developing new technical processes and yarns and her self-motivation to train in technical textiles.

Hajrah was described by Ezaah tailorz director Nisa Haq described Hajrah as a deserving winner due to her passion for her work in the Lockwood firm’s tailoring department and boutique. She is now taking part in a NVQ apprentice programme at H u d d e r s f i e l d Te x t i l e Centre of Excellence.

Linda Florance of textile sector skills council Skillfast-UK, said: “We launched the Behind the Seams Awards to honour those whose skills normally go unrecognised.”

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Firms warned not to axe training budgets COMPANIES cutting back on training during the current downturn risk losing ground to their competitors, a M i r f i e l d bu s i n e s swo m a n h a s warned.

Juliette Dennett, managing director of training provider Dale Carnegie Northern England, said: “Companies can be tempted to slash learning and development budgets when market conditions get tough – regarding training as a luxury rather than a necessity.

“However, it is at exactly this time that businesses should pay special attention to investing in key members of the workforce in order to set their organisations apart from the competition.

“This is because no matter how good a business’ products and processes are, it is probable that at some stage the competition will achieve parity.

“At that point, the difference can be determined in the energy, enthusiasm and attitude of an organisation’s people at a time when such attributes may be in short supply elsewhere.”

Said Juliette: “Providing employees with well-structured and inspiring training enhances their feelings of being highly valued and secure in their role as it proves without doubt that their employer still believes they are worth investing in.

“It also helps to motivate employees by arming them with the necessary tools to carry out their roles in

tough market conditions, even if that means taking on extra responsibilities.

“In turn, these things work to effectively energise a business and increase productivity levels. After all, it has been proven that employees who feel fully appreciated are much more productive than those who don’t.”

Dewsbury-born Juliette, who now lives at Nab Lane, Mirfield, began her career with Dorset-based Dale Carnegie in 1995 in sales before moving to its Manchester operation and returning to Mirfield in 1998 as sales manager at the company’s northern franchise.

After two years, she was promoted to managing director of Dale Carnegie Northern England and then bought the franchise outright in January of this year.

Although her main role includes directing the growth and expansion of the business, Juliette still finds time to work with clients as a coach and facilitator, often leading training programmes across the region.

She said: “I studied modern languages and business studies at Leeds University and at Brussels University.

“Initially, I was keen to use my languages in my career, but found myself in diverse roles such as export marketing manager for Revlon in the UK and sales project director at IBM. After that kind of diversification my

■ COACHING SESSION: Juliette Dennett, managing director of training provider Dale Carnegie North, is urging companies to make training a priority in the battle to win customers and outperform their competitors

options were a little limited!

“However, I’m glad I took the path I did as I love what I do and have really learned to relish the challenges thrown at me. What I most enjoy about this business is being able to make a small contribution to the performance and success of a variety of organisations we work with.”

Juliette said Kirklees businesses were better-placed than most to ride out the recession, saying: “There is no

CMS tackles drink worries

IT support for poorly computers

A BATLEY firm providing IT support hopes to become the country’s most popular “emergency” service for poorly computers.

Eitex managing director Dean Spencer (pictured) hopes his company will be the national front-runner in IT support.

Mr Spencer, 33, formely of Expert Systems, built Eitex from a small back bedroom 11 years ago to help people with computer problems. When the workload began to pile up, he decided to focus on IT support.

He said: “When I started Expert Systems, I was building computers, laying cabling, building websites and writing computer programmes.

“The company had a high turnover but there was no system in place to control it. I realised that the best way forward was to focus on fixing computers.”

Mr Spencer said he decided to change the company's name to Eitex, based in Beckside Court, Bradford Road, to help encourage other IT organisations to trade under its name.

He said: “We are looking to franchise the business and Expert Systems wasn't appropriate for doing that. We chose Eitex because

doubting that we will all feel the effects of the current economic situation and all businesses are exercising caution right now.

“However, as Kirklees has a broad spread of industry spanning many sectors, I believe it’s much better placed to ride the storm than those regions heavily committed to only one sector, especially those under increasing threat such as car manufacturing.”

it suggests that we are a computer company.

“It’s punchy and unique and the ‘ex’ is taken from the original name so existing customers can recognise that it's still us.”

Mr Spencer began his career as a mechanical engineer and was designing computer programmes for his employer as extra work.

He wasn’t sure as a 21-year old, whether or not starting a new business was the right

thing to do – but he hasn't looked back since.

He said: “I've always been into computers since I was a little lad and wrote programmes on my first ever PC which my dad bought me.

“I saved up my money from two paper rounds to buy my next computer. I was a bit apprehensive about starting my own business, but I'm so proud of it now and just want to build it up across the UK.”

A TRAINING company in Huddersfield is helping run classes on alcohol awareness and the effects of binge drinking.

CMS Vocational Training, based at Majestic House, Green Street, is developing courses aimed at educating young people on the issues involved.

Directors Ruth Triggs and Una Lyons are working with another training agency, Hull-based Popple Craven Licensing Training Ltd, which is providing training on personal licenses and alcohol awareness.

Jilly Craven, of Popple Craven, said: “It makes sense for us to work together.

“We specialise in delivering training to prepare potential licensees to gain their local authority licences, allowing them to serve alcohol in premises which includes garden centres, farm shops and tea rooms as well as the usual pubs, clubs and restaurants.

“Many of these places employ young, casual staff and they need to be aware of the consequences of serving drinks to other young people. Our courses also teach people to be responsible about serving alcohol.”

Una said the training firms were “passionate” about stemming the tide of alcohol abuse.

She said: “The timing for this is perfect, since we want to deliver our first course together in the pre-Christmas period when young people will be going out celebrating the festive season.”

CMS delivers a range of training courses.

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Book is bound to please

EMPLOYERS' BRIEFING Neil Wilson

Waiting over for workers HE eagerly anticipated Employment T Bill, which amends the law relating to workplace dispute resolution, national

minimum wage, employment agencies and trade union membership law, has become the Employment Act 2008 after receiving Royal Assent recently.

The Act repeals the statutory dispute resolution procedures and related provisions, so there will be no more automatic unfair dismissals if an employer fails to comply with a relevant statutory procedure. The Employment Tribunal can adjust an award of compensation by up to 25% if there is an unreasonable failure to comply with the ACAS Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance Procedures, which will become the main source of reference when conducting such processes.

The Act also provides for a revised method of enforcement of the national minimum wage, strengthens the employment agency standards enforcement regime and allows trade unions to exclude current or former members of particular political parties from membership. The Act is due to come into force on 6 April 2009 although this has not yet formally been announced by the Government. ● A leading provider of health insurance has concluded, from recent research, that female employees have become more stressed at work than men as a result of the recent economic downturn. One in every two women is suffering from increased stress at work compared to just over a third of men, and a higher proportion of women now worry over their financial situation.

The research findings come as Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg warns that the current problems in the UK could spark an “epidemic of mental stress”.

In a separate piece of research, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has warned that many employers are planning new or further redundancies over the coming months.

Over a quarter of respondents admitted to having such plans in place, and twenty per cent state that they will more vigorously enforce the default retirement provisions within their businesses. The downside of redundancies to companies is that each one costs the business £10,000 on average. ● A nurse at a hospital in Plymouth has been hauled before an internal disciplinary panel after an IT audit revealed she regularly attempted to sell clean and dirty underwear on the internet site eBay. The employee had placed a pair of clean underwear on the site for £20 and a worn pair at £23. The nurse used her work email address which clearly stated she was an NHS worker, and this gave the potential for the employer to be brought into disrepute. This, along with the unauthorised use of the internet, allowed the hospital to invoke disciplinary proceedings against the employee.

The case stresses the importance of having a detailed IT policy in place to protect the company. Employers should ensure that, if they are monitoring internet use, they have a clear purpose for doing so and that it is clearly communicated to the employee.

Neil Wilson is an Employment Lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

17

■ JUMP TO IT: Andy Hobson (front), of Fantastic Media, with Galpharm Stadium managing director Ralph Rimmer (left) and Chadwick Lawrence senior partner Jeremy Garside

Fantastic achievement!

LAW firm Chadwick Lawrence helped seal a sponsorship deal at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium.

The firm, which has offices in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, acted on behalf of marketing agency Fantastic Media to ensure its six-figure sponsorship of the stadium’s north stand resulted in the best possible outcome for both parties.

Chadwick Lawrence oversaw the contractual agreement and ensured that the marketing agency could use the stadium’s facilities as part of the deal.

It allows Fantastic, headed by managing director Andy Hobson, to use the corporate boxes and marketing and banqueting facilities at the stadium.

Jeremy Garside, senior partner at Chadwick

Lawrence, said: “Our experience in both commercial and sports law meant we were first port of call for Fantastic Media, who also work for a number of high profile sporting clients. We ensured the sponsorship deal with the stadium was a natural and successful fit.”

Stadium managing director Ralph Rimmer, added: “We all know Andy and the team at Fantastic Media very well and are delighted to have the company on board in what is proving to be a hugely exciting time for everyone involved with the stadium.

“Chadwick Lawrence is also a company with which the stadium has close ties and they ensured the deal ran smoothly.

“We were pleased to be able to work in partnership with two of the region’s success stories.”

Nurseries group wins top award

A MARKETING award has come to Huddersfield.

Bradley-based National Day Nurseries Association was named winner of the category for most effective use of a sponsor partnership at the Northern Marketing Awards.

The award recognised the NDNA, a national charity and membership organisation for day nurseries across the UK, for working effectively with a sponsor and carrying out marketing activities that helped both organisations achieve their objectives.

NDNA is sponsored by Hope Education, a leading supplier of educational resources in the UK, As the organisation’s corporate partner, Hope Education offers NDNA member organisations discounts off products in its catalogue.

Hope Education, with offices in Nottingham and Hyde, Cheshire, also sponsors a range of products and services delivered by NDNA, including events and its member magazine.

Judges commented on how NDNA and Hope Education shared similar values and ethics – and how the partnership had enabled Hope Education to increase sales and enabled NDNA to offer an improved member benefits package.

NDNA, which moved to Pennine Business Park in 2007, received the award at a black tie dinner held in Newcastle.

Purnima Tanuku, NDNA chief executive, said: “As a national organisation based in Huddersfield, we are pleased the skills of our marketing team have been recognised with this prestigious award.

“NDNA works to support member nurseries in enhancing the care that they offer to young children and our partnership with Hope Education means members can access resources to help them do this at discounted prices.

“The award will take pride of place in our reception area. It is fantastic that leading organisations in the North are being recognised through these awards.”

Stephanie Hall, marketing manager at Hope Education, said: “It has been fantastic working with NDNA and its nursery members and our sponsorship of the organisation has had a wide range of benefits for us.

“We are delighted that the value of our strong partnership has been recognised with this award, and we are looking forward to continuing to support NDNA for the foreseeable future.”

A BOOKBINDER in Huddersfield has helped to tell the story of one of the printing industry’s biggest names.

Riley Dunn & Wilson, of Red Doles Lane, off Leeds Road, has produced the first book written by Victor Watson, former chairman of Leeds-based printing firm Waddingtons – the firm which for many years produced board games like Monopoly and Cluedo.

The book, called The Waddingtons Story, was launched at a literary luncheon attended by Yorkshire business leaders in Leeds.

At the event, Charles Dunn, managing director of Riley Dunn & Wilson, presented a handcrafted boxed copy of the book to Mr Watson.

He also presented copies to the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Clr Frank Robinson, on behalf of the City of Leeds and a third copy was auctioned to raise £2,000 for the Prince’s Trust.

The Waddingtons Story is one of the larger runs of a single book undertaken to date by the Huddersfield firm and has already gone into a reprint with a total of 615 books ordered so far – printed and bound in both hardback and paperback formats.

Riley Dunn & Wilson also designed and printed all the souvenir programmes and publicity material for the launch.

Mr Dunn said: “The fact that we were commissioned to produce this book for such a well-liked and respected member of the printing industry – and raise money that will be used to encourage entrepreneurship among youngsters was a bonus and makes all of our staff very proud to have been involved.”

Riley Dunn & Wilson Ltd, formed in Yorkshire in 1897, has more than 80 highly skilled staff in Huddersfield and Falkirk, Scotland. It was acquired by the grandson of the founder, Charles Dunn, and business partner Jeremy Mills in May last year.

18

Industrial/Warehouse

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Unit 6 Brighouse Trade Park 883 m2 (9,500 sq ft) High quality modern trade warehouse/warehouse unit with excellent on site loading/circulation space and strategically located for J25 M62.

Hugh House, Foundry Street, Off Bird Royd Lane, Brighouse 662 m2 (7,136 sq ft) Single storey workshop with high quality internally built offices well located for J25 M62.

Mead Street, Off Halifax Old Road, Huddersfield 282 m2 (3,037 sq ft) High quality modern industrial/warehouse unit just off main Bradford Road with occupation immediately available.

Eastgate, Elland 490 m2 (5,277 sq ft) on 0.28 acres Modern single storey workshop with two storey offices on self contained site well located for J24 M62.

PROPERTY FOCUS

TO LET Immediately Available

TO LET Immediately Available

TO LET FLEXIBLE TERMS

TO LET/ FOR SALE

Offices

Thirstin House, Honley, Huddersfield 260 m2 (2,800 sq ft) High quality refurbished offices in character building with many original features and off street parking.

TO LET Immediately Available

Retail/Showroom

Knowl Road, Mirfield 600 - 2,200 sq ft

TO LET

Prominent ground floor showroom/retail premises suitable for a variety of uses with car park adjacent.

Occupation Immediately Available

0113 2348999

www.michaelsteel.co.uk

Sales role for Louise

HOUSEBUILDER CALA Homes (Yorkshire) has appointed its first full-time part exchange manager.

Louise Bramhall (above) has joined the Leeds-basedhousebuilder to manage the sale of the older properties which CALA Homes has part exchanged for one of its new build homes.

014 8 4 4 32 0 4 3

She joins from Taylor Wimpey and has more than 12 years experience of selling part exchange properties.

She will manage the sale of these properties using local estate agents and provide the main point of contact for people interested in buying a new homes using the Full Market Value Part Exchange scheme.

Contact Jason Metcalfe or Mark Hanson

01484 4 32043 The Old Gatehouse

Offices Standard House Half Moon Street Huddersfield

Offices The Warehouse Elland Wharf Elland

Offices Pearl Assurance House John William Street Huddersfield

Offices Aspin House Off Leeds Road Huddersfield

TO LET

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TO LET

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1,483 sq ft

5,195 sq ft

2,099 sq ft

2,174 - 10,354 sq ft

Newly refurbished first floor office suite Good quality specification DDA friendly lift access

High quality modern refurbished offices 25 on site car parking spaces Junction 24 M62 within 2 miles

4th floor town centre office suite Good quality specification DDA friendly lift access

Joint agent Bramleys

Visit our new website w w w. h a n s o n - c s. c o. u k

Newly refurbished offices On site car parking Leeds Road corridor Available Spring 2009

68 New North Road Huddersfield HD1 5NE

January, 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

PROPERTY FOCUS

19

Clean-up crews get ‘green’ depot WORK is under way on a new “greener” transport depot in Huddersfield for Kirklees Council’s bin wagons.

Building company ISG has secured the £5.2m contract to build a new transport services building at Vine Street.

During the 87-week programme, road sweeping and refuse vehicles and staff will be based at a temporary site in Emerald Street, Fartown.

The new depot will feature a rainwater harvesting system, solar panels on the roof, a solar hot water system and space to accommodate a future “district heating system” which will use waste heat from the nearby council incinerator.

The first phase of the building work will include providing road sweeper wash-off bays and associated drainage as well as forming a partition wall to divide an existing workshop building into two separate units.

Council staff will relocate to nearby temporary office accommodation at this stage of the project and ISG will then start to strip out the mechanical and electrical services within the newly divided workshop area.

Towards the end of January, 2009, work to demolish the first half of the building will begin, ISG will then build a new steel frame

workshop building on the site to provide 11 vehicle bays behind steel roller shutter doors and two floors of high-grade offices accommodation.

Once that work is completed, staff will move into the new building while the contractor demolishes the rest of the existing workshop to form a parking area for council vehicles.

The project is scheduled for completion by late July, 2010.

Craig Tatton, regional managing director of ISG, said: “ISG was successful in securing the project by demonstrating its strong credentials in the delivery of complex and multi-phased projects carried out across busy environments.

“As a business, we have also forged strong working relationships with Kirklees Metropolitan Council over many years, proving a trusted and highly experienced construction partner.”

Clr David Hall, Kirklees Council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I am delighted to be able to move this project forward and to develop a new depot designed around 21st century principles.

“The facility will operate to the highest environmental and customer services standards.”

CALA tempts ex-pat buyers NEW houses in Huddersfield are to feature at a property exhibition in South East Asia – as part of a drive to tempt ex-pats to buy a second home in Yorkshire.

Award-winning housebuilder CALA Homes has joined forces with international property consultancy propertrack.com to show off its Hexagon development at the former Hopkinsons Valves site in Birkby at a permanent exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

CALA has built 37 one and two-bed apartments in the converted stone office building fronting Wheathouse Road. It is also building a range of two, three and four bedroom mews houses as well as larger four-and five-bedroom family houses.

The company said it had received a growing number of enquiries about properties from international investors and UK ex-pats in the wake of falling house prices.

The Leeds-based housebuilder believes there is a “significant appetite” among ex-pats living in regions such as South

East Asia to purchase a second home or investment property.

Alison Deakin, area sales and marketing director for CALA Homes (Yorkshire), said the Kuala Lumpur marketing initiative would fuel interest from international buyers.

“We now live in a truly global property buying and investing community,” she said. “With low cost international travel, property investment has no barriers and this is an ideal time to build our reputation across a global audience, particularly across Asia.

“This represents an excellent o p p o r t u n i t y t o s h owc a s e CALA's prime developments to a key market. In these challenging times, it is becoming increasingly important to target potential buyers outside the usual channels, although we continue to sell well to buyers from throughout Yorkshire.”

Alongside the Hexagon development, CALA Homes is building new family houses at two sites in Penistone, at Garforth, near Leeds, and in York.

■ DESIGN TEAM: Liz Taylor (left) and Sarah Birks, of interior design company Open House Designs Ltd

Conference venue has touch of class

A LINTHWAITE company has given a prestigious building near Halifax a new lease of life.

Open House Designs was appointed project manager for the refurbishment of Southwood, a stunning facility for weddings and conferences, in the heart of Savile Park.

Director Liz Taylor said: “The brief was to produce a room that looked lavish while incorporating all modern conferencing facilities.

“It was important that the project was managed with a minimum amount of disruption so that

planned conferences and weddings could still go ahead while the work took place.”

Open House Designs had just seven weeks in the busy diary of Southwood to undertake the scheme, which included building work to provide direct access to the Italian landscaped gardens.

Said Liz: “The completed scheme included a hand-crafted oak bar and panelling to reflect the wonderful features already found around Southwood.

“For a ‘wow factor’ we designed

and commissioned a stained glass ceiling panel which was back lit and incorporated it into the specialised scene lighting system.”

She added: “While continuing to grow our highly successful domestic side of the business, we are expanding into the commercial market as we believe that in the current economic climate companies and organisations need to maximise their facilities in order to win the business that is undoubtedly still out there.

“So far the response has been excellent.”

Lettings business opens doors A NEW property lettings business has opened its doors in Huddersfield.

Wigwam Lettings are aiming to take advantage of current trends to help maximise returns on property which remains unsold in the stagnating sales market – as well as offering existing or aspiring landlords a customer-focused approach to letting.

Managing director Paul Hollingsworth has years of experience in the lettings market in London, Leeds and more recently managing a town centre office in Huddersfield.

Mr Hollingsworth said he was committed to providing a tailored service – doing everything possible to take the stress out of letting – regardless of whether the client is a tenant or landlord.

A full range of services are offered from “let only” to full management.

Said Mr Hollingsworth: “Although the company is in its infancy, I am very encouraged by the response I have received from existing contacts and the number of new land-

■ DONE DEAL: Paul Hollingsworth, managing director (left) and Martin Walker, of Wigwam Lettings lords willing to give me their properties.”

Huddersfield landlord Martin Walker said: “Paul was extremely helpful throughout the whole pro-

cess, advising me regarding current legislation, how the property should be presented and possible improvements. Tenants were found within a week.”

WE BRING BUSINESS FACE TO FACE WITH BUSINESS

Working at home brings big savings

Award for top ideas!

KIRKLEES firms at the forefront of technology and innovation have been urged to compete for a new award.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is running the Innovator 09 Awards to celebrate companies and individuals who have come up with new products or adopted new technology to boost their businesses.

The awards are being backed by the Institute of Directors.

Jo h n T h o m p s o n , regional director of IoD Yorkshire, said: “It is imperative, particularly in the current economic climate, for businesses to focus on development in order to stay one step ahead of the competition.

“These awards celebrate the very best of the region’s forward thinkers, which will help to safeguard Yorkshire’s reputation as business pioneers.”

The closing date is January 16, 2009. Go to w w w. y o r k s h i r e - f o rward.com/innovators09

■ BITE-SIZED: Marketing agency Nourish is hungry for success with (from left) acount handler John McDermott, PR manager Jenny Clayton and managing director Paul Harker

Appetite for marketing A NEW marketing agency with an appetite for success has been launched in Elland.

The agency, called Nourish, has a team of nine and has already built up a roster of clients, including Virgin Health Bank, Simply Washing and Vale Healthcare.

It has set a target of becomiong a half-million pound agency in the first six

months of trading.

Nourish is led by Paul Harker, who developed his skills at direct marketing group WWAV and became creative director of McCann-Erickson Leeds.

The new agency will provide marketing campaigns with services such as brand development, direct marketing, online marketing and public relations.

Nourish has been created in partnership with The Lick Group, the Elland direct mail and print company.

Lick group managing director Linden Kitson said: “The Lick Group is a progressive, forward thinking company and a serious agency with a blue-chip roster ties in perfectly to complete our proposition to clients.”

EMPLOYEES in Kirklees can save up to £500 a year if they work from home one day a week.

Huddersfield-based software support firm Ulysses IT said its analysis of research into remote working by Microsoft showed that working from home just one day a week saved employees an average of £500 a year – mostly savings in travel and food costs.

But fewer than one in three office workers in the UK are allowed to do this at the moment.

M a l c o l m Po w, Holmfirth-based director for Ulysses IT, said: “Allowing staff to work from home regularly actually has nothing but advantages for employers. “ M o d e r n t e c h n o l og y makes it very simple for employees to stay connec-

ted, take their phone calls at their usual extension and access data. “Often they get more done than they would in the office, partially because they feel they have to justify how much work they can do at home.

“And of course allowing employees to work flexibly is a great retention tool.”

Mr Pow said businesses needed to learn to trust their staff and measure them by their contribution to the business, not the number of hours they spend at their desk.

Ulysses IT, formed in 1998, specialises in computer support for businesses in Huddersfield and surrounding areas, including home support for remote workers, by providing an outsourced IT department for clients, mostly on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Value of advice for hard-pressed firms

Yorkshire’s Legal People.

Huddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Dewsbury | Leeds: Morley | Leeds: Pudsey

KIRKLEES firms have been urged to tackle the economic downturn head on – and make the most of support available to businesses in West Yorkshire.

A campaign has been launched by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward to tell more firms about the services available from Business Link, which has offices at the Textile Centre of Excellence at Red Doles Lane, off Leeds Road, Huddersfield.

The Going Gets Tough campaign, which runs until

www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk

Published by Trinity Mirror Huddersfield Ltd, PO Box A26, Queen Street South, Huddersfield HD1 2TD. Printed by Trinity Mirror Printing Oldham Ltd, Hollinwood Avenue, Oldham. OL9 8EP. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office.

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Chadwick Lawrence, 13 Railway Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1JS

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the end of January, 2009, will encourage companies to contact Business Link Yorkshire to find out how its support services could help them.

Business Link Yorkshire provides free, impartial advice to budding entrepreneurs and existing companies on various aspects of business growth – including ways to develop employee skills, get into new markets and find sources of finance.

Yorkshire Forward director Simon Hill said: “There is no question that it is a difficult time out there at the moment,

but there is no benefit in being defeatist or hiding away – life has to go on.

“This region has a strong economy built on excellent businesses and we will come through this current period of difficulty.

“What we want to do with this campaign is remind people that there is a huge amount of support and expertise on offer to Yorkshire and Humber businesses that could help them stay on track and come out of the c u r re n t d ow n t u r n eve n stronger.”