KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees2, August , 2011

INSIDE

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uk

● Full story - Page 7

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Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

ANGELA FLETCHER COLIN BARRATT

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Fami ly for tunes

Co lumn - Page 4

An EXAMINER publication

Cause tocelebrateAN award-winningDewsbury firm iscelebrating its 35thanniversary.Martin WalshAssociates, on LeedsRoad, was founded byMartin Walsh in 1976.Today, the family firmemploys 13 membersof staff and has beeninvolved with morethan 5,000 constructionprojects of all kindsthroughout the UK.

She’s gotit coveredHUDDERSFIELDUniversity graduateMichelle Clitherow ishelping to bring a newlook to WestYorkshire’s woolindustry – in a salesand design role withDewsbury-basedCalderdale Carpets.

FTSE 100-40 .76

5774.43

Metal workers getdown to businessA COMPANY providing steel and aluminiumcomponents for a wide range of industries hasproved its mettle to overcome the impact of therecession.

Honley-based precision metalworking firmAllsops Ltd was forced to reduce its 170-strongworkforce to fewer than 100 at the height of thedownturn about two years ago.

But since then, it has increased numbers to120 – re-employing many of those maderedundant – and is winning new business frommajor global names in sectors as diverse asfood processing, retail, electronics, logistics,pharmaceuticals and waste water treatment.

And over the past 12 months, the companyhas met the needs of end-users such as Nike,KP, Cadburys, Tesco, Argos and Morrisons.

Recent contract wins have included athree-year deal to provide all the metal com-ponents for a new generation of mail sortingmachine, metal enclosures for telecoms andcable companies and self-serve kiosks for anumber of leading retailers.

Another major contract now under way is tobuild a range of stand-alone videoconferen-cing rooms for a top US-based computersystems company. The finished rooms will besited in its offices in places as far flung asSingapore, Egypt, the USA and Lithuania.

Allsops said it was reaping the benefit oflong-term investment in its design and manu-facturing capabilities – including the latestequipment using state-of-the-art technology.

The company has installed computer-con-trolled machines and laser cutting kit toincrease speed, accuracy and flexibility – andto help reduce waste at a time of rising costs forraw materials. It also has high speed com-puter-controlled metal punching equipmentand robotic welders.

Allsops’ investment at its 85,000sq ft HopeBank Works site – part of the sprawling formerBrook Motors complex – also includes apowder-coating plant with metal coating treat-ment lines and an assembly plant.

Together, the investments have underlinedAllsops’ reputation as a one-stop shop fordesign and assembly of metal products rangingfrom metal furniture, lighting fixtures andconveyors to industrial ovens, video gamemachines and components for fitted kitchens.

Allsops Ltd was founded by the late BobAllsop with just three employees in 1959. Frombeing a traditional sheet metal sub-contractorusing conventional tools, it has developed tobecome one of the industry’s leading names.

Technical director Stephane Lericolais, whojoined the business 15 years ago, said: “Mostof our customers are fairly local to us and welike to work with local companies, but we havesome large clients across the UK and many ofour products finish up in use all over theworld.

“Things were quiet at the height of therecession, but we are much busier now.Because we cover so many sectors, we havebeen able to recover quickly and because weare investing in the latest equipment, we areable to expand our areas of activity.”

Sales and marketing manager Andy Jowettadded: “When I joined the firm in 1991, wehad about 30 employees. Now we have 120people and the prospect of building the busi-ness still further.

“Due to the wealth of expertise within ourorganisation, we are able to aid clients withdesign issues by value engineering each processof manufacture.

“This not only enables us to utilise our bestmethods of production in each working arenabut by doing so it also removes unnecessarycosts to the client and in the current climatethis can only be seen as a real positive.

“With a huge emphasis on ‘precision, qual-ity, repeatability and sustainability’ andadding the technologies we now possess ,wecan generate the smallest one off jobs to largefully-operational contracts.”

■ METAL WORK: Stephane Lericolais (left), technicaldirector of Allsops Ltd, and sales and marketing managerAndy Jowett with one of the mail sorting machines beingmanufactured at the firm’s Honley works. The three-yearcontract is just one of a string of projects being tackled by the120-strong company

A career in caring

www.chadwicklawrence.co.ukHuddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Leeds

Solicitors for business inYorkshire

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5774.43Down 40.76

BRITAIN’S economic hopes weredealt another blow as a key surveyshowed that the manufacturing sec-tor contracted for the first time in twoyears last month.

The Markit Purchasing Managers’Index recorded a level of 49.1 for July– a reading above 50 indicatesgrowth – down from a revised read-ing of 51.4 in June.

New orders fell for the third monthin a row and at the fastest rate sinceMay, 2009 – reflecting low domesticdemand, Markit said.

Economists said the results didnot bode well for third-quartergrowth prospects in the UK, afterofficial figures revealed a slowdown

in GDP growth from 0.5% in the firstquarter to 0.2% between April andJune.

Howard Archer, chief UK andEuropean economist at IHS GlobalInsight, said Markit had published a“pretty horrible survey”.

However, the research did recordexport growth for the 10th month in arow as companies repor tedimproved sales to Australia, China,East Asia, New Zealand and theUnited States.

Manufacturing employment fellslightly in July, Markit said, repres-enting a marked turnaround fromthe survey’s record jobs growthseen only five months earlier.

Manufacturing sector contracts

30,000 jobs at riskin HSBC bombshell

HONDA’S quarterly profit plungednearly 90% to £251m because of salesdamage from the earthquake innorth-eastern Japan.

The car giant’s April-June profitwas just a fraction of the £2.2bn profitit posted a year earlier.

But the company said that it man-aged to hold up despite the March 11quake and tsunami, thanks to itsgrowing motorcycle business.

Tokyo-based Honda raised itsfull-year forecasts.

Honda now expects a £1.8bn profitfor the fiscal year ending March,2012. That is less than half of its£4.2m profit in the previous financial

year, but better than the £1.5bn itforecast in June.

Honda also raised its annual salesprojection to £68.9m – down from theprevious year, but better than the£65.7m it expected in June.

The manufacturer expects to sell3.435m vehicles worldwide, some135,000 more than it had given as itsforecast in June. It sold 3.512mvehicles the previous fiscal year.

Honda’s motorcycle business isbooming. The company expects to sell12.7m bikes for the fiscal year toMarch, 2012 – up from 11.45m lasttime and better than its earlier fore-cast of 12.645m

Quake hits Honda profits

RACECOURSE ownerArena Leisure isreportedly being targetedfor a takeover afterthousands more puntersflocked to its meetings inthe past six months.

Industry broadcasterSIS is understood to beconsidering a move forArena, backed by largebookmaker firms.

Arena put itself up forsale in June.

SIS and Arena recentlyagreed a new five-yearbroadcast deal that willgenerate £106m for theracecourse groupstarting next year.

Arena said that almost33,000 more peopleattended its sevenracetracks over the pastsix months – but profitsfell due to cuts in thebookmaker’s levy, theindustry’s way of fundingitself.

The company’sracecourses atDoncaster, Windsor,Lingfield Park, Southwell,Wolverhampton,Folkestone andWorcester staged 189fixtures in the half year.

Arena said its averageattendance increased by11.3% to 1,667 over theperiod. Hospitalityattendance rose by 8.2%to 18,400.

Profits before interestand tax fell by £600,000to £1.4m – primarily as aresult of a £1.3m netimpact from the reducedLevy income.

Chairman DavidThorpe said theconsumer-drivenoperations of Arena’sbusiness had performed“exceptionally well”against a backdrop ofreduced industry fundingand the slow economicrecovery.

Arena inthe frame

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.41 dollarsBangladesh................. 115.78 takaBrazil.............................. 2.27 realsCanada....................... 1.49 dollarsChina ............................. 9.45 yuanCzech Republic ...... 25.30 korunasDenmark....................... 8.08 kroneEuro............................... 1.09 euroHong Kong................ 12.15 dollarsHungary ................... 273.43 forintsIndia.......................... 63.76 rupeesJapan........................... 121.39 yenMexico ....................... 17.06 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.73 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.39 kronePakistan.................. 134.09 rupeesPhilippines ................. 58.96 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.20 randSouth Korea.............. 1504.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 169.66 rupeesSweden......................... 9.81 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.24 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.34 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.58 new liraUSA ............................ 1.57 dollars

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £30.49 -0.22Gannett 771.50 -11.66Hess Corp £42.25 +0.17Microsoft 1662.68 -19.03Motors Liquidation 46.03Wal-Mart Stores £32.15 -0.20

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 279 -23/4BAE Systems 295 -9Rolls-Royce 646 -61/2

AIMBrady Plc 801/4 +1/2Dawson Intl 21/8Man Brnze 447/8 -1/2Uniq 943/8 -1/8

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2273/4 +3

BANKSBarclays 217 -6HSBC 6071/2 +13Lloyds Banking Gp 411/4 -21/8Ryl Scotland 341/8 -11/2Stan Chart 1551 -7

BEVERAGESDiageo 1237 -8SABMiller £223/4 -1/8

CHEMICALSCroda 1883 -23Elementis 98 161 -13/4Johnsn Mat £201/4 -1/8

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2931/4 -101/4

Costain 209 -21/2ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 529 -6Intl Power 3033/4 -17/8Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1288 -19

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1593/4 -277/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 371 +1/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 200 -1Cable & WirelessComm

367/8 -1/8

Cable & WirelessWwide

407/8 -1

Colt Group 1213/8 -3/8KCOM 84 +31/4Talktalk Telecom 1443/4 +21/4

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2877/8 -3Sainsbury 3013/4 -21/4Tesco 3807/8 -21/2

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1071Tate Lyle 610 +1/2Unilever 1930 -18

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3031/4 -31/4National Grid 5901/2 -61/2Pennon Grp 714 -101/2Severn 1416 -15United Utils 5841/2 -4

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2621/2 -53/4ICAP 4413/4 -61/8London StockExch 992 -5Man Group 2185/8 -41/4Provident Financial 1104 -12Schroders 1635 +7Schroders NV 1337 -6

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 632 -12REXAM 3633/8 -81/8Smiths Grp 1099 -36

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 181/4Carphone Whse 414 +11/4Dixons Retail 133/4 -3/8Home Retail 1283/4 -63/4Inchcape 3791/8 -101/4Kingfisher 2481/8 -45/8M & S 3391/8 -71/8Mothercare 4001/2 -65/8Next £233/8 -3/8WH Smith 5091/2 +2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6291/2 -111/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 107 -11/8Barrat Dev 93 -51/2Persimmon 4453/4 -16Reckitt Benckiser £341/2 -1/8Taylor Wimpey 343/8 -1

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 7981/2 -11/2I M I 1042 -8

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 454 -81/2

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 2047/8 -61/2

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3957/8 -27/8Lgl & Gen 1111/4 -1Old Mutual 1271/4 +1/4Prudential 680 -10Resolution 272 -41/4Standard Life 1951/4 -27/8

MEDIABSkyB 6951/2 -161/2D Mail Tst 4053/8 -51/2ITV 683/4 -11/4Johnston Press 5 -1/4Pearson 1180 +6Reed Elsevier 5381/2 -151/2STV Group 1263/8 -1/2Trinity Mirror 421/4 -13/4Utd Business 5301/2 -101/2UTV 122 -45/8WPP 6861/2 -8Yell Group 63/4 -1/8

MININGAnglo American £283/4 -1/4Antofagasta 1380 -30BHP Billiton £225/8 -1/8Eurasian NaturalRes

757 -151/2

Fresnillo 1734 -26Kazakhmys 1313 -35Lonmin 1240 -30Rio Tinto £427/8 -1/8

VEDANTARESOURCES

1720 -50

Xstrata 1281 -141/2MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 5301/2 -91/2Vodafone Group 1695/8 -23/8

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1536 -13RSA Insurance Gp 1311/4 -1/4

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1435 -9BP 458 -3Cairn Energy 3633/4 -6Royal Dutch Shell A £221/4 -1/8Royal Dutch Shell B £221/4 -1/8Total £321/2 -1/2

Tullow Oil 1244 +14OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES

AMEC 1054Petrofac 1399 -2Wood Gp(J) 666 -21/2

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1470 -24PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £291/2 -1/4Axis-Shield 466 -6GlaxoSmithK 101/2Shire £21 -1/4

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 582 -3Captl Shop Cent 3731/4 -1/8DTZ Hldgs 42 +1/2Hamrsn 4721/2 +63/4Land Secs 854 -1SEGRO 3013/4 -1/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1664 -17Invensys 3033/8 -51/4Logica 1151/8 -11/2Misys 386 -10Sage Group 270 -43/8

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 540 -1/2Bunzl 764 -71/2Capita 722 +4De La Rue 775 -51/2Electrocomp 2283/4 -33/4Experian 788 -141/2G4S 2683/8 -53/4Hays 881/8 -13/4

Homeserve 4853/4 +31/8Menzies J 519 +101/2Rentokil 891/2 -21/4Smiths News 831/2 -1/4Wolseley 1745 -70

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 579 -5Psion 761/2 -1Spirent Comms 1293/4 -3/4

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £281/4 +1/8Imperial Tobacco £203/4 -3/8

LEISURE & HOTELSBwin.Party Digital 1343/4 -3/4Carnival £21 -1/4Compass Grp 570 -41/2easyJet 364 -3Enterprise Inns 533/4 -13/4FirstGroup 3617/8 -25/8Go-Ahead Gp 1541 -14Greene King 4793/4 -93/8Intercontl Htls 1210 +2Intl Cons AirlinesGp

2293/4 -75/8

Ladbrokes 1483/8 +7/8Mitchells & Butlers 2691/8 -53/8Natl Express 260 -23/8Rank Org 140 -13/4Stagecoach Group 252 +17/8TUI Travel 1935/8 -13/8Whitbread 1561 +5

INDEXFTSE 100 5774.43 -40.76

INDEXFTSE 250 11426.09 -125.97

Carclo 3151/2 -81/4Marshalls 109National Grid 5901/2 -61/2Weir Gp £207/8 -3/8

BANKING giant HSBC warned it willcut up to 30,000 posts by 2013 – as thejobs cull among the world’s big banksgathers pace.

HSBC is in the process of reducing itsstaff numbers by 5,000.

But chief executive Stuart Gulliverwarned the cuts were set to go deeper –although he stressed the 30,000 figureexcludes HSBC’s future expansionplans.

The updated restructuring plancomes despite better-than-expectedhalf-year results which showed thebank lifted profits by 3% to £7bn in thesix months to June.

In the UK, where the company has1,290 branches and about 52,000 staff,profits rose by 29% to £843m.

HSBC’s move reflects tougher timesfor the investment banking arms of thebig banks.

Uncertainty over tougher regulation,

the eurozone crisis, rising bad debtsand, –in the UK - the possible impactof the Independent Commission onBanking report have all affected themood among banking firms.

HSBC employs about 335,000people worldwide.

Mr Gulliver said the job cuts wouldbe targeted at back office, head officeand support operations in a bid toreduce overheads.

The 30,000 reduction is a gross figureand there will be additions in regionssuch as Asia and Latin America, whereHSBC saw the strongest revenuegrowth in the first half.

HSBC has a staff turnover ofbetween 10% and 15% and Mr Gulliversaid the cuts would reflect this rate ofattrition.

HSBC reported weak revenuegrowth in Western Europe and the UK,reflecting the tough economic situ-

ation. UK revenues fell slightly to£2.82bn from £2.84bn.

HSBC said 5,000 of the planned jobcuts had already taken place. Theyinclude 700 in the UK that wereannounced in June as a result of regu-latory changes to the way financial

advice is allowed to be given.Bank workers union Unite called for

HSBC to clarify what impact the addi-tional cuts announced will have on UKstaff.

David Fleming, Unite nationalofficer, said: “It is now necessary for thebank to confirm to its UK workforcehow this news will impact on them.”

HSBC said it is on course to meet itstargets for business lending agreed withthe Government under Project Merlin,having lent £22.7bn.

But the group was behind on smallfirm lending with £5.6bn advanced inthe first six months against a full yeargoal of £11.7bn.

Mortgage lending rose by 35% to£6.7bn with HSBC’s share of the UKmortgage market at a record of nearly11%.

Shares in HSBC closed 13p up at607.5p after the profits improvement.

■ STATEMENT: HSBC said revenuegrowth in western Europe was weak

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

AngelaFletcher

HennessyFletcherSupportSpecialists

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Operations dir-ectorAge: 42Family: Married to Billwith son David, 23, anddaughter Lucy, 22Holidays: New Yorkand Florida, Europeand the Middle EastCar: Audi QuattroFirst job: Working ina shoe shop in Black-burnBest thing aboutjob: I love having theautonomy to makedecisionsWorst thing aboutjob: Being stuck intraffic when travellingon businessBusiness tip: Listento the people at the‘bottom’ of your organ-isation. They are thecore of the business

Work: Supportingpeople with learningdifficulties and mentalhealth needsSite: MelthamPhone: 07868495180Email:angela.fletcher@hfss.org.ukWebsite:www.hfss.org.uk

CaringrolesuitsAngela

THERE’S a saying that hardwork never hurt anyone – butwhy take any chances?

That’s not a view sharedby Angela Fletcher.

The Lancashire-bornoperations director ofHennessy Fletcher SupportSpecialists positively thriveson being busy – and puttingin the hours has certainlypaid dividends.

Angela set up HFSS withbusiness partner PatrickHennessy to providedomiciliary care, skillscentres and outreach forpeople with learningdifficulties and mental healthneeds.

The company has sites atMeltham, where it runsHelme Hall and the BishopsWay residential home andskills centre.

It also has a centre inWhitby and offices inBarnsley – as well as plansto expand into Derbyshireand Leicestershire by theend of the year.

Angela embarked on thebusiness after working forseveral years in a wide rangeof health-related roles,including working withpeople with complexproblems.

“My husband Bill was inthe RAF, so I have travelledall my life,” she says.

“We married in Cyprusand we lived in Holland andGermany, where I gained anaccounting qualification.

“I had my two childrenwhen I was quite young andat the age of 30 had todecide what I wanted to do.

“What I really loved wasworking with people withlearning disabilities, so Idecided to train for that.”

After attending college,Angela graduated with a BAhonours degree in learningdisability nursing fromOxford Brookes Universityand in quick successiongained NVQ qualifications aswell as City & Guildsqualifications inmanagement.

She qualified as a nurseand went on to work atCalderstone NHS Trust inLancashire as a forensicstaff nurse.

Angela later became adeputy area managerworking with people withcomplex mental healthissues before spendingthree-and-a-half years as anarea manager working in thefields of learning disabilityand mental health.

“It was hectic, but I lovedit,” she says. “I was working16-hour days and dealingwith difficult situations.

“I like to get the job done.When I was working inmental health in Lancashire,one of the residents said Iwas like a whirlwind!”

She says: “I worked for abig corporation and took onthe most difficult area of thebusiness.

“All my homes weregetting brilliant audits, so Istarted to think about doing itfor myself. I sat down anddid a SWOT analysis to lookat areas of potentialdevelopment.”

Angela says herexperience of the care sectorprovided valuable lessonswhen it came to how HFSSshould operate.

“People with complexneeds can get very isolatedin an environment wherethere is no stimulation,” shesays. “Anyone can come to aday centre, but what do theyget out of it? You have tohave focused one-to-one ortwo-to-one care.

“In our skills centres, wehave a multi-sensory room,an arts and crafts room, amusic room where clientscan enjoy singing and dramaand a computer room to helppeople with learningdifficulties find out about howto use the internet. We havegardening and quizzes, pooland darts.

“Our deputy manager isqualified in aromatherapy,reflexology and Indian headmassage. We can helppeople gain simple skills likecompiling a shopping list,writing their CVs, workingout bus routes and otherthings to help them becomemore independent.”

Changes in the wayhealthcare is delivered meana bigger role for the privatesector.

While that worries somepeople, Angela believes it

presents an opportunity tomake the system work better.

“It is an evolvingprofession,” she says. “Whatmatters is getting the qualityright. If you do that, you don’thave to worry about thebusiness because yourreputation will speak foritself. It is about continuallystriving to have the higheststandards.”

Angela says: “HFSS islooking at helping peoplewith high complex needs andthat is reflected in the level oftraining we have for our staff.

“We have staff of differentage groups. By puttingyoung staff with experiencedstaff you have a good skillsmix.”

Angela has also seen howservices in other parts of thecountry operate in relation topeople with learningdifficulties, such as autism,and people with mentalhealth issues such asdementia.

“What we have sometimesseen is very clinical,” shesays. We have designed a‘home’ environment foryounger people living withdementia. We have alsolinked up with organisationssuch as the Alzheimer’sSociety and networkinggroups.”

Helme Hall, for example,provides a 38-bed residentialunit with spaciousapartment-style rooms, adining-kitchen area and asun lounge.

Among her many interests,Angela is a fellow of theInstitute of Leadership inManagement and sits on apanel to interview juniormanagers and mark theirwork when they sit exams.

Despite her busyschedule, Angela believes inmaking time for herself andher family.

“I love travelling,” shesays. I’ve been to New Yorkand Florida, the continent,

Egypt, Morocco, Turkeyand Malta. I like toexperience differentcultures. But I also enjoycamping in this country.”

She says: “I have somefantastic friends and weget together to go toLondon to see a show orlook at the markets.

“I try to get away once amonth, even if it’s just for afew days, I also lovewalking and cycling.

“I do a lot of reading, butit’s usually books aboutthe industry in which Iwork, such as newresearch into dementia.”

Angela realises the vitalimportance of being ‘ontop’ of her subject.

“We are a new anddynamic company and weare creative andinnovative in what we do,”

she says. “We are also openand transparent and takepride in our motto: ‘We careabout the support weprovide’.

“As a ‘boss’ I believe inletting people do their jobs.I’m not an autocratic leader, Iaim to be a transformationalleader helping peopledevelop their skills.

“If someone in theorganisation progresses andends up being my boss, atleast I’ll have the satisfactionof knowing that I trainedthem well!

“I have worked with somereally dynamic nurses and Ihave learned that if you havethe knowledge, the drive andthe enthusiasm you can getto where you want to be.”

■ ANGELA FLETCHER:Enjoys the challenges of an‘evolving profession’

On the board with

01484 538 351theboard@revellwardco.uk

www.revellward.co.uk

Lesley SuttonTax Director

Were you due to make apayment on account ofyour 2010/11 income taxliability on 31 July 2011?HMRC have confirmed that there has been adelay in issuing statements to some taxpayersin time for them to make this payment.If your Unique Taxpayer Reference(your ten digit reference number) endswith digits from 70 to 99 then you maybe affected. If so HMRC will send yourstatement to you as soon as possible.Revell Ward Tip:

You should pay the tax as soon as you receiveyour statement.

HMRC have confirmed that tax payersaffected will not be charged interest from 31July. Interest will only be charged if the taxremains unpaid 30 days after statement was

sent out.

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Business dateKIRKLEES firms will get advice onkey business issues at a seminarin Huddersfield this week.Lloyds TSB Commercial is holding200 events across the UK as partof its 2012 SME Charter to addressbusiness issues, includingemployment law, sustainabilityand access to finance.Greg Flynn, senior manager forLloyds TSB Commercial, will hostthe local event, which gets underway at 9am on Thursday at theGalpharm Stadium. It will includea chance to network with up to 100other SMEs and key figures fromthe local business community.For more details go towww.supportingbusiness.co.uk

TAXTALKColin Barratt

Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill andSudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield

Wilby’s charterday celebrationA FIRM providing insurance adviceand risk management services hasbeen awarded chartered insurancebroker status from the CharteredInsurance Institute.Wilby Ltd, which sponsorsHuddersfield Town, joins anexclusive group of firms whoreceive chartered status only aftermeeting rigorous criteria relatingto professionalism and capabilityAll chartered insurance brokerscommit to meeting the institute’scode of ethics, reinforcing thehighest standards of professionalpractice in their business dealingsWilby Ltd, based in Halifax, hasbeen providing business insuranceand risk management services tocorporate and private clients andsmall and medium-sizedenterprises across the UK for morthan 25 years.Managing director RichardBlackburn, who holds theindividual chartered insurancebroker title, said: “We have alwaysprided ourselves on beingthoroughly professional ineverything we do and to receiveexternal recognition in this way isvery gratifying.”As well as holding chartered statusas a company, Wilby Ltd offersaccess to five chartered insurancebrokers – Mr Blackburn, MarkStudholme, Mike Shaw, Warren Kand David Moffat.Fewer than 100 firms haveachieved chartered status,indicating that it is reserved for theleading firms of the brokingindustry.

Accountancy firm addinganother award to its listIT’S all adding up for account-ancy firm Balance.

The Holmfirth-based firm isthe latest winner of the Busi-ness of the Month Award runby Huddersfield law firmEaton Smith with the MidYorkshire Chamber of Com-merce and Business Link.

Balance Accountants Ltdbegan as Rogers & Co in 1993.Owner Ashley Barrowclough,and his team have steadilygrown the firm over the years,but by the second half of 2009,the recession hit badly and thecompany knew something hadto change to beat the difficulttimes ahead.

The firm embarked on anumber of major changes totransformed the firm. Theyreinvented the practice with anew name, a new identity and anew brand. Balance Account-ants was launched on May 1,2010 – with the whole teamgetting behind the “revolu-tion” and showing total com-mitment to the success of thecompany.

They also reviewed theirproducts and services anddecided to run with two thatsupported their new image –focusing on “The NumbersFile” and “Boardview”.

Both are proving popularwith existing and prospectiveclients alike.

Balance also launched a newwebsite, which focuses on thefirm’s people who are the keyto the firm’s success.

The judging panel felt thatBalance Accountants shouldbe commended for creating adynamic, modern businesswith a highly motivated andhappy workforce, which is con-tributing to the success of thefirm’s clients by helping themgrow and prosper.

The Business of the MonthAward is open to companies inCalderdale, Kirklees andWakefield.

For details go to www.eatonsmith.co.uk or contact IanGreenwood at Eaton Smith on01484 821389.

■ FINELY BALANCED: David Blakeborough (centre) presents the Business of the MonthAward to Ashley Barrowclough (second right) and Sharon Munit (right), of Balance, with(from left) Melissa Healy, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Paul Misselbrook, ofAppleyard Lees; and Jayne Pearson, of Kirklees Council

■ ETHICAL VIEWPOINT: Wilby Ltdheadquarters in Halifax

Financial family affairsWHEN looking at tax plan-

ning for individuals toobtain the maximum benefits,it is worth looking not just athusband and wife but alsoparents and children.

Both husband and wife have thebenefit of the personal allowanceand the basic rate tax band. Trans-fers of assets between them are freeof all taxes.

It may be beneficial to review theassets of each spouse to see iftransfers can be made from one tothe other to ensure personal allow-ances are not wasted and basic ratetax bands are utilised as far aspossible. For example, you may beable to transfer income-producingassets, such as a bank account, toyour spouse or civil partner to takeadvantage of their lower tax rate.

For those incurring 40% tax onincome above £42,475, or thosewith restricted personal allow-ances on income above £100,000and those suffering 50% on incomeabove £150,000, it is worth review-ing the balance of your jointincome to see if any tax savings arepossible.

Due consideration shouldalways be given to any commercialor other risks in identifying suchtransactions.

Where a sale of a capital asset iscontemplated and a gain will bemade, consideration should begiven to transferring an interest tothe spouse so that two capital gains

tax annual exemptions can be util-ised rather than one.

Potentially, a lower tax ratecould also be applied if one spouseis paying tax at a higher rate thanthe other.

Where the asset is eligible forEntrepreneurs’ Relief, care will beneeded for transfers betweenspouses to ensure that the valuablebusiness relief is not lost orreduced. This will particularlyapply to shares in family tradingcompanies or on the disposal ofshares in a company where onlyone spouse is an employee.

Children under 18 also havetheir own personal allowances andtax bands, but income from capitalgifted by a parent is only taxableon a child if it does not exceed £100gross per annum. Otherwise it istaxable on the parent.

Gifts from grandparents orother relatives are, however, tax-able on the children no matter howbig the income is. So if grandpar-

ents wish to help with educationalcosts it may well be appropriate forthem to gift the money directly tothe grandchildren rather than theirparents, so that any income isassessable on the grandchildrenand would therefore be tax free upto the annual personal allowance.Where the gift made by the grand-parent is a significant one, it maybe appropriate for it to be held intrust in order to protect the assetfrom young or vulnerable benefi-ciaries.

Where children work in the fam-ily business, payments could bemade to them provided theamount is realistic for the workdone.

A tax deduction will be given tothe business for the wages paid andwould potentially be tax free in thehands of the child.

As with any tax planning theimportant thing is to plan well inadvance.

Keep ‘em happyKIRKLEES firms risk losing keyemployees as a result of pay freezesand lack of benefits, it is claimed.Research by the Institute of Leadershipand Management among 2,500 workersin 1,000 private sector firms revealedthat half of them were unhappy in theirjob – with managers the most likely tolook for a new job.The figures were highlighted byfinancial planning and consultancybusiness Towergate Financial, whichhas offices at Lindley.The company aims to tackle the issueby launching its own employee benefitspackage, Towergate Advantage.

LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A BUSINESS?Use our knowledge and experienceto guide you through the process:

➢ Valuation advice

➢ Negotiating the deal

➢ Raising finance

➢ Due diligence

➢ Tax mitigation ideas

➢ Getting the job done

Our independent and partner-drivenapproach ensures clients receiveadvice they can rely on and trust.

To discuss your plans in confidence pleaseconatct David Butterworth

W&SWheawill & Sudworth

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

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Silver standardfor software firmA SOFTWARE firm in Batley hasachieved an industry accolade.Caltech CRM, which supplies customerrelationship management software, hasattained Silver competency in CRMthrough the Microsoft Partner Network –demonstrating its ability to meet thechanging CRM needs of Microsoftcustomers.To gain Silver competency, partnersmust complete a set of tests to provetheir level of technology expertise –including customer references relatingto CRM implementation and support –and employ or contract a requirednumber of Microsoft certifiedprofessionals who are skilled on currenttechnology relevant for the CRMcompetency.Phil Callaghan, managing director ofCaltech CRM, which is based at BatleyBusiness Park, said: “This Silvercompetency sets apart our expertise inCRM specifically.“We hope to continue to accelerate ourcustomers’ successes as a leading CRMorganisation.”

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Economic ‘drift’needs arrestingA THINK tank chaired by a Huddersfieldbusinessman has warned that Britain couldbe in for a decade of austerity unless actionis taken to counter the drift towards a“zombie” economy.

Members of the Partners in Managementforum issued a pessimistic assessment ofcurrent trends following their most recentquarterly meeting.

Forum founder David Broadhead, basedat the Media Centre, NorthumberlandStreet, said the prospects looked dim formanufacturing and construction.

He said: “We believe our manufacturingbase has eroded to below a critical mass andis struggling to exploit any opportunitiesprovided by world economic growth andadvantageous exchange rates.

“It can’t find either the finance to expandor the skilled workforce needed and can’tsubcontract either within the UK as thatcapacity is taken up.

“The finance sector is faced with its ownrestructuring and re-capitalising issues, so itcan’t expand or innovate, while the servicesector in general is starting to struggle as aconsequence of the ongoing public sectorcutbacks.

“The public sector, if anything, has notseen the cuts that we originally envisaged orfelt necessary to balance the economy.Over-ambitious economic growth projec-tions have reduced the government’s originalcost saving targets whilst public sectorspending has continued to rise.

“As growth, tax revenues and projectedcost savings do not meet expectations, wecan see another round of increased costcutting measures being undertaken soon.

“The construction industry is mothballeddue to limited demand and again lack offinance and to add to this we face a likelysecond ‘dot-com’ bubble burst.”

Mr Broadhead said: “Economic growth is

slowing down now in the emerging nationsas they, like us, are facing increasing pres-sures from increasing inflation.

“The United States is becoming problem-atic too as the ‘money printing’ exercise

there has failed to stimulate sustainablegrowth and they now face the reality ofhaving to undertake serious deficit reduc-tion whilst facing the stalemate situation ofan election campaign.

“Given the inevitable scenario of any oneof Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Italy or Spaineventually facing reality and defaulting ontheir debt too, with the attendant financialcrisis and confusion world-wide that willfollow that, you could begin to think thatnot getting out of bed in a morning was aserious option!”

Mr Broadhead said Westminster politi-cians had failed to rise to the challenge whilethe public sector – through target settingand other political fads – seemed to have lostits sense of purpose and associated specialistskills.

And he added: “If anything, this is thedecade when people will have to take per-sonal responsibility and return to thosepositive Victorian values of aspiration andendeavour.”

Forum members said construction wasthe one industry with the greatest potentialfor UK employment – and called for invest-ment in local infrastructure.

They also suggested companies couldraise finance by side-stepping the banks andturning to business-based credit unions as away of freeing up lending and stimulatinggrowth.

Said Mr Broadhead: “The disappointing0.2% GDP figures have confirmed a previ-ous economic prediction by the forum.Although the forum’s findings don’t makepleasant reading for both the short andmedium term, it does believe we can achievesustainable growth and prosperity again –but it will take some innovative approachesto do so.”

■ INVESTMENT: David Broadhead,founder of Partners in Management

Kate honoured byher ‘pet’ charityBUSINESSWOMAN Kate Hardcastle hasbeen appointed the first patron of theRSPCA’s Halifax, Huddersfield anddistrict branch.And she has begun by using herknowledge of “retail theatre” totransform the branch’s Queen’s Hallstore at King Cross in Halifax.Kate, a partner in Greetland businesstransformation company Insight withPassion, gave a second floor of the storea “vintage” look designed to delightshoppers and increase profitability.The move comes as reports highlight theincrease in bogus charity collectors,whose actions have hit donations togenuine charities – and impacted stocklevels in charity shops.Kate, who recently won the title of MostInspirational Woman in the Women inFurnishing Awards, has been involved infundraising for the RSPCA through herCharity Dreamgirls singing group.She said: “The Queen’s Hall store isbeautiful. In fact, the second floor usedto be an old dance floor and it’s soatmospheric, with locals having fondmemories from its hey-day.“Having worked with the RSPCA with theCharity Dreamgirls, I’m honoured to betheir first patron. To help them raisefunds and donations, we thought it’d bea great idea to add a little ‘theatre’ to theexperience.”

Don’t get caught jobhuntingJOBSEEKERS risk beingsacked from their current posts– because they are spendingtoo much time trawling foralternative careers on theinternet.

A survey of 2,000 jobseekersalready in work by onlinecareers provider Monstershowed that 28% spend morethan three hours a week lookingfor jobs at work while 16% arejob-hunting online for more thanfive hours and 7% aresearching online for more than10 hours.

The survey also showed that60% of respondents say theysearch online for jobs at workwhile 50% say they also updatethey CV, 49% apply for rolesand almost a quartershamelessly carry out

telephone interviews from theoffice.

However, 40% ofrespondents say they thinktheir boss knows they arelooking and 12% say theyhave been caught by theirboss or another colleague.One in 50 of those questionedhas lost their job this way.

Furthermore, 39% ofrespondents have attendedjob interviews during workinghours, with a medicalappointment being the mostpopular excuse for absence,closely followed by a homedelivery and a pet emergency.

Six per cent fabricated thedeath of a relative to explaintheir absence – more than the1% who would fake sicknessor the 5% who would lie about

a domestic emergency.Monster spokeswoman

Isabelle Ratinaud said: “Lookingfor a new role can be timeconsuming and many peopleare clearly so desperate tomove that they will spend hours

looking and applying for roleswhile they’re supposed to bedoing their current job.

“But it is important that jobseekers try to limit their hunt tolunchtimes, evenings andweekends wherever possible.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 6

Package ofsupportTHE Design Council hasannounced a new packageof support for local projectsthat promote the use ofdesign for businesssuccess.The support comes in theform of grants from theDesign Council’snewly-established DesignFund for Growth, which willhelp local groups developinitiatives that improveunderstanding and createbetter links between design,business and technology.The aim is to create orstrengthen existing projectsrun by organisations suchas design support networks,business representativeorganisations, technologygroups and universities,professional bodies andnetworks.Each successful partnerorganisation will receive upto £20,000 in funding to plan,promote and run theirproposed activity, whichmust run between October,2011, and March, 2012.They will also receive pressand media support,specialist event advice, a fullbranded set of event andpromotional materials andsome design support.Proposals are particularlybeing encouraged fromnot-for-profit organisations –the aim being to support fivemajor projects across thecountry which leave behindlasting legacies.Go towww.designcouncil.org.uk/designfund. The deadlinefor organisations to apply is5pm on Friday, September 2.

Michelle’sdesigns ontextiles

A GRADUATE from Huddersfield University ishelping to bring West Yorkshire’s wool industryinto the 21st century.

Michelle Clitherow, 25, who gained a first classhonours degree in fashion and interiors at Hud-dersfield in 2009, manages the London sales anddesign operations for Dewsbury-based Calder-dale Carpets.

And Richmond-born Michelle has made aname for herself in the industry in a short space oftime with her bright ideas and creative thinking.

In her role at Calderdale Carpets, she is helpingthe industry shake off its old-fashioned image andcombine creativity and cutting edge design withtraditional manufacturing methods.

Calderdale Carpets is part of the Heavy Wool-len District – so-called due to the area’s history ofmanufacturing of wool for carpets, clothing andblankets.

The firm manufactures quality wool carpetsand flooring entirely from local materials –mainly for the hotel, leisure and hospitalityindustry.

Michelle said: “When I first got the job, I wasslightly nervous about working with a natural,raw material that was completely new to me.

“I quickly realised that I could apply mycreativity and knowledge to carpet manufactur-ing and be part of a fast growing industry wheredesign and vision were becoming equally asimportant as quality and traditional manufactur-ing.

“Working with a natural eco-friendly material

in a highly established and esteemed industry thathad strong roots within Yorkshire really appealedto me”.

During her year-long work placement,Michelle gained experience in adult fashion,children’s clothing design, interiors, wallpaper,glass and graphic design projects. She even taughtdesign to students at Queen Elizabeth College inRichmond.

Entering her final year at university, she contin-ued to work freelance for a prestigious Londonclothing company where she applied her patterndesign knowledge. Despite being offered a job infashion upon graduation, Michelle realised hergoal was to work in interior design.

“My placement experiences gave me exposureto the world of interiors and I loved it. Whereasother students on my course were keen to breakinto fashion, I had a keen interest and pulltowards interiors,” she said.

In early 2009 Michelle began working in thedesign studio at Calderdale Carpets.

“I had to learn the whole manufacturing pro-cess from start to finish – from processing the rawwool to fitting the final product. I’d never workedwith a material such as wool, which dictates andrestricts the design process due to the processesand complexity of production. It was an excitingnew challenge for me.”

Two years on and Michelle now managesCalderdale Carpets’ clients in London.

“Our focus is on cutting edge design and qualityso we’ve expanded nationally and taken on the

London market,” she said.“Our clients, who are predominantly in the

hotel and leisure industry as well as interiordesigners and architects, love the fact that we areunique in providing bespoke innovative designand production of quality carpets here in the UK,but we never forget the importance of usingtraditional methods and locally-sourced materi-als.”

Greg Bedford, managing director of CalderdaleCarpets, said he was thrilled with the experienceMichelle had brought to the company – comple-menting its excellent in-house creative designteam.

“Michelle and the team produce top-quality,fantastically creative designs, quickly and consist-ently,” he said. “All of them are big on ideas,which they express so well and are great attranslating clients’ visions easily into paper, onscreen and into wool and yarn.”

Said Michelle: “I am constantly researching mynext design, whether at work, on the train or outand about. I never stop, inspiration is all aroundme.

“I take influence from a wide range of sourcesincluding films, news, weather and museums. Itranslate trends into moods and colour boardswhich I then apply to carpet design.

“I am as passionate now, if not more so, as whenI first graduated in surface pattern design – andwhat better way to fulfil this passion by visualisingideas and translating them for clients using such afabulous natural fabric to produce qualityproducts in such a well-established industry?”

Focusing onregulationsKIRKLEES firms have beeninvited to a free event to findout more about changes toemployment law.From October 1 this year, theAgency WorkersRegulations will come intoforce – giving agency andtemporary workers the samefair treatment, pay, holidaysand working rights thatapply to permanentemployees.Now Cleckheaton-basedrecruitment firm The Agencyand Howarths EmploymentLaw are staging a freebreakfast to brief employerswho want to know moreabout the regulations andhow they will affect theirbusinesses.The three-hour workshopgets under way at 8am onTuesday, September 20, atthe offices of HowarthsEmployment Law.Contact The Agency on01274 869100 or emailtalent@theagency.org.uk

Training firm shows its the BESTA COMPANY helping people intosustained employment has beenawarded a flagship contract as partof the Government’s £5bn WorkProgramme.

Business Employment ServicesTraining Ltd, which has offices atHighfields in Huddersfield andStation Road in Batley, will deliverthe programme across WestYorkshire.

The Leeds-based company has 16offices across the county with 350staff and has so far helped morethan 60,000 people into work.

Managing director MichelleManson said it was “an enormousachievement” to be awarded thecontract to carry out “the mostcomprehensive, ambitious andimportant government initiative everlaunched in the area of welfare”.

She said the Work Programmecontract would enable BEST’sexperienced teams to engage withsome of the most vulnerable peoplein local communities, helping themsecure sustainable employment tothe benefit of all concerned.

The contract for West Yorkshirewill be delivered over seven-yearterms. As prime contractor, BESTwill work with three partners todeliver the core programme – A4e,Remploy and Skills for Work – aswell as specialist organisationsbringing expertise to specific areasof programme delivery.

The Work Programme will helpassist and support jobseekers andbusinesses in areas such as buildingcore and vocational skills,developing self-confidence andworking with local business to match

customer’s skills to employersneeds.

As part of the programme, BESTwill also offer up to two years’in-work support.

Said Michelle: “We live and workhere in Yorkshire, we know itspeople, its economy and since ourinception BEST has developed closeand ongoing ties with many of theregion’s leading employers who puttheir trust in our abilities.”

She added: “We are particularlyexcited about the opportunity ofproviding local solutions to localunemployed people – enhancingtheir quality of life by enabling themto get away from welfaredependency into work and,importantly, applying our expertise tosupport the economic growth of ourregion.”

■ KEEPING BUSY: Graduate Michelle Clitherow, of Dewsbury-based Calderdale Carpets, is constantly researching new ideas for designs

■ SUPPORT: Michelle Manson,managing director of BEST

property Page 7KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Firm reaches its35th anniversaryAN award-winning Dewsbury firmwhich has helped scores of local schoolleavers become trained architects iscelebrating its 35th anniversary.

Martin Walsh Associates, on LeedsRoad, was started up by Martin Walshfrom humble beginnings in 1976.

Today, the family firm employs 13members of staff and has beeninvolved with more than 5,000 projectsthroughout the UK – taking on a widevariety of developments from factoriesto nursing homes as well as traditionaloffice and residential projects.

“The secret of our success is hardwork and good staff,” said Mr Walsh,63. “We manage to retain virtually allour clients.

“One hundred per cent of our busi-ness is by referral which proves wemust be doing something right.”

Since starting, the family firm hasseen 14 of its employees graduate ineither architecture, surveying or con-struction and a further five achieveHND qualifications.

The company also supports trainingin local schools, including BatleyGrammar School and HeckmondwikeGrammar School.

“That is what I am most proud of,”said Mr Walsh.

“I always wanted to employ youngminds as that was the way I startedout.

“I like that our staff are brought in asjuniors and can progress up the ladder,teaching those on the rung below andlearning from those on the rungabove.”

The biggest challenge facing the firmin the current economic climate isfinding enough work for its existingmembers of staff.

“There’s been a trend among most ofmy competitors in the last three yearsto either make people redundant, putthem on a three-day week or knock 10to 20% off their salaries,” said MrWalsh.

“Out of loyalty to our staff, we’vedone none of that and we have man-aged to keep going, but it’s been hardwork.”

As well as priding itself on its com-mitment to its staff, Martin WalshAssociates is a firm with an environ-mental conscience.

“Homes produce a quarter of theUK’s carbon emissions and in morethan half the homes in the UK, asignificant proportion of the moneyspent on energy bills is literally lost tothe atmosphere,” said Mr Walsh.

“Our motto is ‘build tight and insu-late right’ to reduce carbon emissions.Insulation is far better and far cheaperthan fancy solar panels on roofs.” ■ HARD WORK: Martin Walsh, of Dewsbury-based

Martin Walsh Associates

Law firm joins quality scheme

■ DELIGHTED: Vicky Heywood, head ofproperty at law firm Eaton Smith

Knight Frank innew legal movePROPERTY consultancy Knight Frankhas advised on the letting of a citycentre office.New commercial law firm 3volution hastaken 1,507sq ft on the first floor of 14King Street, Leeds, on a three-yearlease with landlords Bruntwood.The law firm has been formed by threeex-partners of solicitors Lee & Priestley.Elizabeth Ridler, a partner at the Leedsoffice of Knight Frank, said: “We weredelighted to be able to advise 3volutionon their new offices.“King Street is a superb location, closeto Leeds Station and with excellentaccess to Yorkshire’s motorwaynetwork.“They have moved into quality officespace, providing a perfect base for theirnew company.”

A HUDDERSFIELD law firm has gained aquality award.

Eaton Smith, based at High Street, hassecured membership of the Law Society’sConveyancing Quality Scheme, which isrecognised as the mark of excellence for thehome buying process.

The firm underwent rigorous assessment bythe Law Society in order to secure CQSstatus, which marks the firm out as meetinghigh standards in residential conveyancing.

Vicky Heywood, head of the propertydepartment, said: “We are delighted to havesecured CQS status.

“It is recognition of the high standards weprovide to our residential property clients andis a signal to both sellers and future home

buyers of the excellent service level weprovide at what is often a stressful time formany people.”

Twenty-six law firms in Yorkshire have sofar been accredited with the CQS.

The scheme requires practices to undergoa strict assessment, compulsory training,self-reporting, random audits and annualreviews in order to maintain CQS status.

It is open only to members of the LawSociety who meet the demanding standardsthe scheme will set.

It has the support of the Council ofMortgage Lenders, the Building Societies’Association, the Legal Ombudsman and theAssociation of British Insurers.

Putting focus on solar energyYORKSHIRE-based contractor GMIConstruction Group has launched a newbusiness focusing on solar energy forcommercial properties.

The company, which is constructing theKirklees College campus at Chapel Hill inHuddersfield, has set up GMI RenewableEnergy Group – and kicked things off with astring of solar panel installation projects forclients Town Centre Securities and PaversShoes.

The completed systems so far total over250kW, which includes a roof-mountedsystem at Pavers Shoes’ state-of-the-arthead office and distribution centre in Yorkand the largest Solyndra system in the UKon the Clarence Dock in Leeds for TownCentre Securities and British Waterways.

The system at Pavers boasts 432 solarpanels comprising the 100Kw systeminstalled across the 735 square metre roofon Northminister Business Park in York.

The combined systems will generate about5,000 Mwh of electricity over the 25 yearfeed-in tariff period.

A total income of £1.65m will be generatedfrom the feed-in tariff and save thebusinesses about £450,000 in electricitybased on current energy prices.

Leeds-based GMI is now in negotiationsfor several megawatts sized schemes with arange of clients which are looking to be rolledout in the coming months.

Hammersondefies downturnSHOPPING centre owner Hammersonsaid its sites were defying the downturnafter a rise in footfall and below-averagevacancy rates.The group, which part-owns BrentCross in London, the Bullring inBirmingham and Reading’s Oraclecentre, said the UK’s recent wave ofretail administrations was having “littleimpact” on its business.It reported a retail vacancy rate of below3% compared to a market average of12% and said footfall was up by 2.6% atits UK shopping centres, against a widerindustry benchmark of 0.9%.Chief executive David Atkins said: “Ourregionally dominant shopping centresand convenient retail parks are tradingahead of national benchmarks andcontinue to attract successful retailers.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Mark Stevens

Leeds BSLEEDS BuildingSociety hasappointed MarkStevens asdirector ofstrategy.

Mr Stevens(pictured) has amasters degree ineconomics fromCambridge University and an MBAfrom Stanford University BusinessSchool.

He will join the UK’s fifth-largestbuilding society in September after asuccessful period as chief executiveof Yorkshire Cancer Research.

His previous roles include groupsales director at Bradford & Bingleyplc, where he was also managingdirector for group strategy.

Neil Cormack

LuptonFawcettCOMMERCIAL law firm LuptonFawcett has appointed Neil Cormackas head of marketing.

Mr Cormack, a chartered marketer,previously spent many years at GrantThornton and PwC.

In his new role at the firm, whichhas offices in Leeds and Sheffield,he will be supported by brand andcommunication manager JacquelineParkhill, business developmentmanager Graham Shiers and theirteams.

Making the right move

A LAW firm with offices inHuddersfield has linked up with LeedsRugby.

The rugby club has signed up forESP, the employment supportpackage from its official legal partner,Chadwick Lawrence.

ESP will provide Leeds Rugby withaccess to experienced employmentlawyers who are up to date with thelatest legislation to ensure that theorganisation is fully compliant withoften complicated legal requirements.

The support agreement will coverstaff and players, making it one ofChadwick Lawrence’s more complexESP contracts, taking into account thediffering terms and conditions whichapply to each and every employee.

The partnership deal sees the lawfirm provide day to day legal andhuman resources advice, with ESP

being the latest part of this.Gary Hetherington, chief executive

officer at Leeds Rugby said: “ESP is acomprehensive employment lawproduct which covers the diverserange of employment contracts wehave.

“Our partnership with ChadwickLawrence allows us to focus on ourcore business in the knowledge thatwe have expert support on theemployment front.”

Neil Wilson, head of employmentlaw at Chadwick Lawrence, said:“Leeds Rugby is the latest in a longline of organisations to sign up forESP.

“Our team of highly experiencedemployment lawyers is on hand tosupport and advise where requiredand to act on behalf of the client whennecessary.”

Neil Foulder & Jolene Leslie

ChamberInternationalCHAMBER International has strengthened itsglobal trade team this month with two newappointments.

Veteran international banker Neil Foulder,59, joins the Bradford-based organisation asconsultant. He will play a leading role indelivering the chamber’s growing back-officeservices, including checking multi-million dollarpayment contracts for key accounts.

Liverpool-born Mr Folder has been involvedin the banking industry for four decades,principally with Standard Chartered Bank andLloyds TSB. Married with four children, he hasspent more than 20 years in Yorkshire.

Jolene Leslie, 27, who has joined asInternational trade administrator, will supportChamber International staff and freelancers indocumentation, PR, business development,project managing exhibitions, events andseminars.

She formerly worked for McVities Cakes andmore recently for Halifax-based specialtychemical manufacturer Rhodia.

■ TOP TEAM: Leeds Rugby head coach, Brian McDermott (centre) withJeremy Garside (left) and Neil Wilson, of Chadwick Lawrence

Adebola Ayoola

LiquidAccountsACCOUNTANCYsoftwarespecialist LiquidAccounts hasappointedAdebola Ayoolaas technicaldevelopmentmanager.

Ms Ayoola(pictured) has a degree in computerscience and a track record as asenior developer creating onlinesystems for managing ticketing,registration, subscriptions andauctions as well as variousapplications in the finance industry.

Her appointment comes asLongwood-based Liquid Accountsprepares to launch the latest versionof its award-winning CloudAccounting software.

Managing director Matt Holmessaid: “Adebola is one of the bestprogrammers I’ve ever come acrossand we’re lucky to have her on theteam. She initially came to us via anagency on a three-month temporarycontract and has been successful insecuring the new permanent post oftechnical development manager.

“Already in that time, she hashelped us develop a number of keyimprovements to our system and hasbeen a driving force in helping usdevelop version 8 of our software.”

Change of gearfor ‘petrolheads’THE talk was all about cars when actor Sir PatrickStewart and Batley-born businessman LawrenceTomlinson got together.

Mr Tomlinson, founder and chairman of LNTGroup, which includes sports car manufacturerGinetta, was at Huddersfield University to receivean honorary doctorate.

And Sir Patrick, who was attending in his role asuniversity chancellor, couldn’t resist the chance totalk about their shared interest in cars at thehonorary awards dinner.

Sir Patrick, who equalled Jeremy Clarkson’stime as the “star in a reasonably priced car” forBBC Two’s Top Gear back in 2003, was interestedin Mr Tomlinson’s experiences in the motor racingscene.

Mr Tomlinson, who attended Batley GrammarSchool and studied engineering at HuddersfieldTechnical College, has had a lifelong passion forcar design and motor racing.

He acquired British car maker Ginetta in 2005 –and now employs more than 60 people at itsstate-of-the-art factory in Leeds and exportsGT-winning racing cars all over the globe. GinettaSupercars was born in 2009 with the launch of theGinetta F400, which itself has been showcased onTop Gear.

LNT Group also includes subsidiaries coveringcare homes, construction, software and climateprotection systems.

■ RACING COLOURS: Sir Patrick Stewart (left), Chancellor of Huddersfield University,found a common interest in motor sport when he met Lawrence Tomlinson, chairman ofLNT Group, when the Batley-born tycoon received an honorary doctorate

It’s full steam ahead!AN informal networkinggroup meets this week.Members of the FirstFriday Club willassemble from 12.30pmon Friday at The Headof Steam in St George’sSquare, Huddersfield.The monthlyget-together provides a

chance for town centrebusiness people tomeet up at variousvenues and discusstopics of interest in arelaxed atmosphere.For details of theevents, emailkrishna.patel@revellward.co.uk