KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees2, October, 2012

INSIDE

● Full story - Page 7

● Full story - Page 6

JONATHAN NICHOLS

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3

Taking a relaxed viewCo lumn - Page 6

An EXAMINER publication

PropertyproblemsA RISE in stamp duty inthe last Budget hasaffected sales of someof West Yorkshire’smost exclusiveresidences, says aproperty expert.Matthew Pryke, chiefexecutive of the Fine &Country estate agencyin Huddersfield, saidthe government’sdecision to put stampduty on homes worthmore than £2m up to7% in the spring haddepressed the marketin luxury homes acrossthe district.

SoldiersupportA DEWSBURY firm issupporting Britain’sarmed forces byoffering flexibleemployment for areservist who works forthe firm. Martin Bailey,an IT supportadministrator withRixonway Kitchens,serves with theYorkshire Regiment andplays trombone in theregimental band. Hetakes part in parades,marches, concerts andevents to welcomehome troops.

MARTIN THOMPSON

exam

iner

.co.

uk Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

FTSE 100+78.38

5820.45

Urgent action needed, says chamber reportMINISTERS must back up talk of“rebalancing” the economy towardsmanufacturing by taking urgent meas-ures to boost business, says a leadingindustry organisation.

The latest quarterly survey of itsmembers by the Lockwood-based MidYorkshire Chamber reported a “a clearclimate of negativity” among compan-ies – with a fall in export sales andorders offsetting a modest pick-up indomestic trade and employment pro-spects remaining flat.

It said: “The recovery continues tobump along with little momentumgathered on a quarterly basis and therehas been negligible overall improve-

ment since 2009.“Employment and employment

expectations remain flat this quarterfollowing an encouraging rise inquarter two this year.

“This is very disappointing and illus-trates the ongoing difficulties faced bymany businesses, who remain reticentand continue to defer growth plans asthe economy falters.”

Chamber president David Horsmansaid: “The economy in our regioncontinues to bump along the bottomwith very little sign of any gatheringmomentum or sustained recovery inany of the important economic indicat-ors.

“In spite of some minor positives,the overall picture continues to indic-ate that business confidence remains ata low level and it is clear that employ-ment and investment decisions arebeing strongly affected by ongoinguncertainty about the eurozone andworries about falling levels of demandand ongoing recession throughout theworld. In short, the pessimistic eco-nomic outlook reported by our mem-bers throughout the year shows no signof abating.”

Mr Horsman said the chamber waslobbying for more to be done toencourage economic growth, provideincentives for businesses to bring for-

ward investment and expansion plansand create jobs.

“The Government must take boldsteps to improve affordable access tofinance and provide immediate fund-ing for important and spade-readyinfrastructure projects,” he said.

“Government rhetoric about rebal-ancing our economy towards manu-facturing and exports now need to bebacked-up by serious and targetedinterventions to provide more valuabletax-breaks for manufacturing firmsand meaningful financial incentives toexporters, particularly for businesseslooking to expand into overseas mar-kets for the first time.”

Right recipe for success

‘New chapter’ aslaw firms combineTWO law firms with offices in Hud-dersfield have joined forces in a moveto further boost their services.

Switalskis Solicitors and ParkerBird Gardner have announced theirmerger just months after Switalskislinked up with Green Williamson,another established legal practice withoffices in Leeds, Wakefield and Ponte-fract.

The latest merger was announcedafter contracts were signed in Leeds byLorrette Law, a senior partner at Swit-alskis, and Paul Gardner and RanjitUppal, of Parker Bird Gardner.

Said Ms Law: “This move will allowboth Switalskis and Parker Bird Gard-ner to further develop our legal ser-vices. Like Switalskis, Parker BirdGardner is widely respected and bycombining our strengths we can facethe exciting challenges ahead.”

Paul Gardner, a director Hudders-field-based Parker Bird Gardner, said:“This merger marks an excitingchapter in our history. The creation ofa large law practice throughout WestYorkshire will enhance the ability ofboth practices to provide high qualitylegal services to current and futureclients.”

Mr Uppal said: “We are lookingforward to combining our resources.Both firms have already establishedvery strong relationships within the

family and care law sector and we areconfident that our clients will continueto benefit completely.”

Parker Bird Gardner, based atQueen Street, has been providing legalservices to the Huddersfield andKirklees district since 1980.

The practice, which has 30 staff andfive directors, has family law, convey-ancing and immigration teams.

Under the deal, Switalskis willtransfer its five solicitors and foursupport staff in Huddersfield to the

Queen Street offices.Mr Gardner and Mr Uppal will

become full equity partners at Switals-kis Solicitors LLP.

Mr Gardner said the merger cameagainst a backdrop of big changes inthe legal marketplace – such as theCo-op launching legal services – andthe dramatic reduction on Legal Aid.

He said: “The idea is to be biggerand better. We have quite a high profileand we have always provided nicheservices. Merging our organisations

creates more resources, the potentialfor economies of scale and the chanceto bring in high quality staff.”

And he stressed: “We are looking toexpand. The intention is to recruit andget into new areas of law.”

Mr Gardner is a member of the LawSociety Children Panel, the Associ-ation of Lawyers for Children and is aHigh Court (Civil) Advocate.

Mr Uppal qualified as solicitor in1997 and has been a partner at ParkerBird Gardner since 2000.

A member of the Law Society Chil-dren Panel, a Senior Law SocietyAccredited Immigration Asylum Soli-citor and a Higher Courts (all proceed-ings) advocate he is experienced in allareas of family/child law and is head ofthe firm’s immigration department.

Switalskis specialises in criminaland childcare law and operates fromseven offices – in Huddersfield, Dews-bury, Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford,Halifax, and Pontefract. It has 11partners and employs more than 200staff, including more than 80 solicit-ors.

Ms Law is a Higher Court Advocate(Civil Courts), which means that she isable to represent clients before Courtsat all levels. She was admitted as asolicitor in 1989 and has specialised inchild care law throughout her career.

■ SIGN HERE: John Durkan (left) and Lorette Law, of Switalskis, with PaulGardner, (second left) and Ranjit Uppal, of Park Bird Gardner

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

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Local shares

FTSE

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Call for politiciansto support merger

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.48 dollarsBangladesh................. 124.16 takaBrazil.............................. 2.92 realsCanada....................... 1.51 dollarsChina ............................. 9.06 yuanCzech Republic ...... 29.02 korunasDenmark....................... 8.91 kroneEuro............................... 1.20 euroHong Kong................ 11.87 dollarsHungary ................... 320.59 forintsIndia.......................... 75.06 rupeesJapan........................... 119.49 yenMexico ....................... 18.51 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.81 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.83 kronePakistan.................. 144.20 rupeesPhilippines ................. 57.77 pesosSouth Africa ................. 12.53 randSouth Korea.............. 1564.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 196.08 rupeesSweden....................... 10.12 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.45 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.32 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.74 new liraUSA ............................ 1.54 dollars

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £36.08 +0.86Gannett 1129.83 +30.35Hess Corp £33.57 +0.29Microsoft 1837.22 -6.19Motors Liquidation 46.46Wal-Mart Stores £46.01 +0.30

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 310 -13/4BAE Systems 3271/4 +21/8Rolls-Royce 8621/2 +191/2

AIMBrady Plc 104 +41/2Man Brnze 103/4 -1/4

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 217 +21/4

BANKSBarclays 2223/8 +71/2HSBC 5871/2 +141/4Lloyds Banking Gp 40 +11/8Ryl Scotland 2663/8 +93/8Stan Chart 14351/2 +351/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1772 +321/2SABMiller £271/2 +1/4

CHEMICALSCroda £25 +3/4Elementis 98 2371/8 +51/8Johnsn Mat £245/8 +1/2

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 3081/4 +45/8Costain 2401/2 -81/4

ELECTRICITYDrax Gp 5111/2 +41/2SSE 1400 +8

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 2297/8 +43/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3731/4 +31/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 2321/8 +13/8Cable & WirelessComm

36 -1/8

Colt Group 1187/8 -1/4KCOM 83 +3/4Talktalk Telecom 1843/4 -5/8

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2837/8 -11/4Sainsbury 3453/4 -13/4Tesco 331 -1

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1308 +19Tate Lyle 667 +11/2Unilever £223/4 +1/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3291/4 +11/2National Grid 696 +13Pennon Grp 7341/2 +12Severn 1705 +26United Utils 725 +9

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2231/2 +3/4ICAP 333 +117/8London StockExch 933 -10Man Group 85 +25/8

Provident Financial 1355 -18Schroders 1572 +54Schroders NV 1217 +33

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 601 +4REXAM 4411/4 +63/8Smiths Grp 1044 +7

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 283/4 +11/2Carphone Whse 164 +1/2Dixons Retail 197/8 +1/8Home Retail 90 +7/8Inchcape 3561/4 -31/4Kingfisher 264 -1/4M & S 3577/8 +11/8Mothercare 2161/2 -11/4Next £345/8 +1/8WH Smith 625 -211/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 692 +81/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 611/4 +3/8Barrat Dev 1743/4 +51/4Persimmon 761 +21/2Reckitt Benckiser £361/4 +5/8Taylor Wimpey 553/4 +13/8

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGI M I 9321/2 +321/2

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 198 +41/4

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 1977/8 +3/8

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3251/4 +61/2Lgl & Gen 1341/4 +21/4Old Mutual 1745/8 +43/4Prudential 8201/2 +19Resolution 2191/8 +2Standard Life 278 +51/4

MEDIABSkyB 7511/2 +8D Mail Tst 483 +11/2HIBU 1/2ITV 90 +11/2Johnston Press 77/8Pearson 1226 +16Reed Elsevier 598 +6STV Group 921/4 +1/4Trinity Mirror 533/4 +3Utd Business 713 +12UTV 1321/2 +21/2WPP 8461/2 +5

MININGAnglo American 1891 +74Antofagasta 1287 +25BHP Billiton 19741/2 +491/2Eurasian NaturalRes

3151/2 +63/4

Fresnillo 1881 +28Kazakhmys 7121/2 +20Lonmin 560 +21/2Rio Tinto £293/8 +1/2VEDANTARESOURCES

1052 +23

Xstrata 980 +221/2MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 594 +4

Vodafone Group 1763/8 +5/8NONLIFE INSURANCE

Admiral Grp 1066 +13RSA Insurance Gp 1115/8 +11/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1279 +29BP 4381/2 +2Cairn Energy 2791/8 +4Royal Dutch Shell A £215/8 +1/8Royal Dutch Shell B £221/4 +1/4Total £313/8 +1/2Tullow Oil 1397 +27

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1155 +9Petrofac 1613 +18

Wood Gp(J) 8191/2 +16

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1014 +13

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGYAstrazeneca £291/4 -1/4GlaxoSmithK XD 16Shire 1832 +18

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 528 +6Captl Shop Cent 3337/8 +63/4Hamrsn 4561/4 +51/4Land Secs 767 +51/2SEGRO 226 -3/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 2383/4 +45/8Sage Group 3171/8 +33/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 550 +41/2Bunzl 1118 +9Capita 7811/2 +7De La Rue 1023 +10Electrocomp 2021/2 +21/4Experian 1049 +20G4S 266 +1/4Hays 783/4 +13/4Homeserve 217 +7Menzies J 6401/2 -41/2Rentokil 821/2 +11/4Smiths News 123Wolseley £267/8 +3/8

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 586 +11Psion 873/4 -1/4

Spirent Comms 1537/8 -1/4

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £321/8 +3/8Imperial Tobacco £231/8 +1/4

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 1047/8 +1Carnival £23 +1/8Compass Grp 6951/2 +12easyJet 5911/2 +11Enterprise Inns 631/2 +1/2FirstGroup 2401/2 +1/2Go-Ahead Gp 1325 +13Greene King 6051/2 +5Intercontl Htls 1636 +16Intl Cons AirlinesGp

1541/4 +51/4

Ladbrokes 171 -13/4Mitchells & Butlers 2951/4 +37/8Natl Express 2113/8 +13/4Rank Org 1503/4 +53/4Stagecoach Group 2831/8 +21/4TUI Travel 232 -21/8Whitbread £23 +1/4

INDEXFTSE 100 5820.45 +78.38

INDEXFTSE 250 11867.48 +133.38

Carclo 4271/2 -23/4Marshalls 861/2National Grid 696 +13Weir Gp 1803 +35

MULTI-BILLION poundplans for the creation of anew natural resourcespowerhouse were revivedunder a last-ditch deal.

The board of mininggiant Xstrata hasrecommended that itsshareholders backupdated mergerproposals withcommodities traderGlencore, beating adeadline set by the Citytakeover panel.

The £56bn merger hasturned into along-running saga sincebeing proposed inFebruary amidshareholder discontentover the terms.

One of the mostcontentious issues hasbeen a £227m retentionpackage for topmanagers, with severallarge shareholdersthreatening to block thetie-up unless the bonusscheme is toned down.

Xstrata has agreed togive shareholders aseparate vote on thebonuses, allowing thedeal to go ahead despitepotential anger over payproposals. It believes theincentive deals areessential in order toretain key Xstratamanagers for running thecombined group’s miningoperations.

The two firms havealso provided assurancesthat Xstrata will make upthe majority of directorson the combined board.

Glencore chief IvanGlasenberg improved theterms of the bid earlierthis month after formerprime minister Tony Blairwas called in to helpbroker a with Xstrata’ssecond-largest investor,

Middle East sovereignwealth fund QatarHoldings.

LOW-COST supermarket chain Aldiunveiled multi-million pound expan-sion plans as it reported a nearsix-fold increase in annual profits.

The privately-owned Germanretailer pledged to invest £181m inopening 40 new stores by the end of2013, taking its total number of UKstores to more than 500.

Cash-strapped middle-classshoppers were behind a 30% rise ingroup turnover in the year to Decem-ber 31 to £2.8bn and a four-fold leapin operating profits to £102.9m.

The budget grocer – which hasincreased market share by 54.1%year on year – has benefited from thesqueeze on consumer spending

power as high inflation and lowwages forced shoppers to recon-sider their shopping habits.

Its meteoric rise is in sharp con-trast to Britain’s biggest supermar-ket, Tesco, which is battling toturnaround its fortunes in the UKamid falling like-for-like sales andunder-pressure profits.

Aldi, which has stores at Milns-bridge, Waterloo and Beck Road inHuddersfield, said the strong per-formance was down to a change inits offering over the last three years –with a greater focus on fresh food –as well as an increase in customersdoing a full weekly shop at thestores.

Aldi plans to open more storesA FALL in the number of first classand business class passengers is likelyto push European airlines into the redthis year, it is claimed.

European carriers are expected topost combined losses of about £750min 2012, the International Air Trans-port Association has predicted.

Iata said that in July, on the lucrat-ive North Atlantic routes, first classand business class travel – known aspremium travel – was 2.4% down onthe same time last year.

Within Europe in July 2012premium travel was down 3.5%.

Iata director-general and chiefexecutive Tony Tyler said: “European

airlines are expected to post thelargest loss of any region.

“While governments and theEuropean Central Bank have takenmeasures to shore up confidence inthe euro, these have been fraught withpolitical difficulties.

“Additionally, the region is plaguedby high taxes, inefficient air trafficmanagement infrastructure and anonerous regulatory environment.”

Overall, Iata predicted that worldairline profits will reach about£2.56bn in 2012 – a dip on the 2011figure of about £5.25bn in 2011, buthigher than Iata’s forecast for thisyear made in June, 2012.

Losses loom for airlines

Tie-up ison track

THE chief executives of Britain andEurope’s largest defence and aerospacefirms have issued a plea for politicalsupport for their proposed £28bn mer-ger, saying now is the time to do it.

Ian King, chief executive of BAESystems and Tom Enders, his EADScounterpart, appealed for political sup-port for the plan, saying it would createa global company that would be morethan the sum of its parts.

Although the merger is a commercialdeal, the approval of the British,French and German governments willbe needed if it is to go ahead.

The United States is understood tobe taking a close interest in the dealbecause of BAE’s involvement in sens-itive US defence projects.

In a joint article published in severalnewspapers, Mr King and Mrs Endersattempted to reassure politicians’ con-cerns and urged them to back thedeal.

Saying the merger was “borne out ofopportunity, not necessity”, theywrote: “BAE Systems and EADS areboth strong businesses with clearlydefined strategies that have enabledthem to make progress in the last fiveyears, and which would take themforward as independent companies.

“But there comes a time when it isright to seize the moment and to createsomething that is even stronger andbetter.

“We believe that time is now. Withthe necessary political will and sup-port, management determination, andproper governance, BAE Systems andEADS can produce a whole that isgreater than the sum of its parts.”

They added that the firms proposedto replace the shareholder arrange-ments which currently give Daimler,French multi-national Lagardère andthe French state joint control overEADS.

They are also making arrangementsthat would “protect the strategic andnational security interests of the gov-ernments with which we work, particu-larly in France, Germany, the UnitedKingdom and the United States, given

the importance of those markets to thecombined group”.

The British Government holds a“golden share” in defence contractorsBAE, which means it can veto anymerger or takeover of the company.

Prime Minister David Cameron hasspoken to French President FrancoisHollande and German ChancellorAngela Merkel about the deal.

BAE has previously said that theplanned tie-up with Airbus ownerEADS will form a “world-class” com-pany in its sector, with combined salesof £60bn and about 220,000 staff.

The merged group would employabout 48,000 in the UK alone.

The deal, which will give BAE accessto the lucrative civil aviation market,will leave BAE shareholders with 40%of the combined group.

Shares in BAE closed 2.10p higher at327.2p each yesterday.

■ MAKING THEIR CASE: Ian King(left), of BAE Systems, and TomEnders his counterpart at EADS

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

LaCachette

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Work: RestaurantSite: Huddersfield Road,EllandEmployees: 16Phone: 01422 378833Email: info@lacachette-elland.comWebsite: www.lacachette-elland.com

JonathanNicholsRole: Owner and head chefAge: 42Family: Married to Nataliewith children Josh, 16, andAmi, 10Holidays: My parents livein Spain and we try to seethem a couple of times ayearCar: BMW 330 Club SportFirst job: Kitchen porterBest thing about job:Seeing empty plates comeback to the kitchenWorst thing about job:Paperwork and bookkeepingBusiness tip: Keepfocused and keep a sharpeye on your overheads

Chef cooks up awinning recipe!CHEF Jonathan Nicholscan’t compete with thosecelebrity chefs when itcomes to losing his cool inthe kitchen.

Jonathan, owner andhead chef at La Cachettein Elland, says: “I’m apretty fair boss, but I’m notgoing to deny there areoccasions when I have abit of a rant.

“I suppose GordonRamsay and Marco PierreWhite are at the pinnaclewhen it comes to a showof temper.

“There’s no justificationfor it, really. But when youserve a meal that is not asgood as the customerexpects, someone is goingto get criticised.”

Jonathan’s speakingbetween sips from a MrMen coffee cup bought forhim by his daughter Ami.The cup has Mr Grumpyon it and Jonathan smiles:“I think she was trying totell me something!”

And if he does get alittle cross, it’s all in thecause of customer service.“I see this business asinviting people into myhouse,” he says.

“People are paying forthe food we produce. Ifyou invited someone intoyour home and gave thema shabby meal, it would beembarrassing.”

Good food and serviceare essential, he says, butadds: “It is the little thingsthat make the difference.

“It is down to how thetable looks, how thecustomer is spoken to.

“If someone is workingin the restaurant on a busynight and the bar ispacked and a customer iswaiting, all it needs is tosay ‘good evening’ and ‘I’llbe with you in a second’.

“I tell my staff, it’s notme paying your wages –it’s the customers.

“The service has to beup to scratch. You canserve three-star Michelinfood, but if it isn’t served tothe customer properly,they won’t come back.

“It is the whole package.It’s like being on the stage.You are putting on a showfrom the moment thecustomer walks throughthe door to when theyleave.”

Jonathan has been incharge at La Cachette –French for ‘hiding place” –for the past nine years.Owning the business hasrealised a long-heldambition for theBradford-born chef, whofirst got interested incooking as a boy helpinghis grandmother bake

cakes.A neighbour owned a

restaurant in Guiseley andat the age of 14, Jonathanbegan working Friday andSaturday nights andSunday lunchtimes as akitchen porter, doing thewashing up.

After leaving school,Jonathan studied cateringfor two years at Bradfordand Ilkley College andalso worked one night aweek at Holdsworth Housein Halifax.

Completing his collegestudies in 1988, he went towork as live-in comis chefat a pub-hotel in Kettlewellbefore working atRombalds hotel andrestaurant in Ilkley for 18months.

However, he kept intouch with the head chefat Holdsworth House andabout six months later wasoffered a junior position onthe kitchen staff.

He quickly rose throughthe ranks and at the age of20 became second chef inthe busy kitchen, havingalready amassed six yearsexperience in the industry.

Keen to get a head chefpost, he applied for jobs atthe Healds Hall Hotel inLiversedge and ClarksHotel in Bradford – wherehe ruled the kitchen for 18months and worked withformer college mateAndrew Bradley, who wasrestaurant manager there.

Ever ambitious, theybegan searching for arestaurant to run forthemselves and found theideal location at FitzwilliamStreet in Huddersfield. InNovember, 1993, theyopened Bradley’s – andbuilt up a business whichhas been successful eversince.

“The first 18 monthswere rough,” saysJonathan. “Then we got aglowing review in aregional newspaper. Fromthen on, it just took off.

“At the time, we seatedabout 75. In 1998, weadded another 50 covers.

“We had already got intothe Good Food Guide in1994 and the restauranthas been in ever since.”

In 2001, Jonathandecided to move on. “Ispent six monthsgathering my thoughts,” hesays. “I spent six monthsat Bertie’s in Elland,helping with the outsidecatering and six monthson a consultancy basis atHealds Hall.

“The owners of LaCachette were looking fora head chef.

“I had beenself-employed for 10 yearsand I told them that if therewas the opportunity to getinto the business, I wouldlike to take it.”

Having been a partnerfor some time, he is nowsole owner of the 85-coverrestaurant on HuddersfieldRoad – a state of affairsthat allows him to put hisown stamp on the place.

But he says: “If you

change things toodramatically, you willalienate your existingcustomers.

“We have tried to keepup with the times. LaCachette isn’t a modernrestaurant, but it doesn’tdate, either.

“We have changed littlethings and there are otherthings we want to change.

“But we have somecustomers who comeweek in, week out andorder the same dish.”

Says Jonathan: “I haveto do the bookkeeping andthe paperwork, but I amvery active in the kitchenbecause at the end of theday, my main role is headchef.

“It certainly means longdays – coming in early inthe mornings and finishingat 11 o’clock at night.”

Jonathan tries to get aday off during the week,but doesn’t alwaysmanage it.

A keen runner he hascompeted in the LondonMarathon for the past twoyears to raise money forthe NSPCC – having beeninspired by comic EddieIzzard’s multi-marathonefforts. Jonathan will takepart again next year.

He has also taken to themartial art of Taekwando.“It is one of those things Iwish I’d started doingearlier,” he says. “My sonJosh started when he wassix or seven and he hadbeen doing it for 12months before I decided Imight have a go at it.

“I started doing it just forfitness, but it has ‘evolved’and I am now a first danblack belt. Josh is goingfor his second dan blackbelt, so I’ve a bit to do tocatch up!”

At home, Jonathan willcook the Sunday roast,although he admits thatthe family’s hecticschedule means theoccasional takeaway formidweek evening meals.

And he doesn’t seehimself taking a back seatat the restaurant.

“It’s in your blood,” hesays. “A couple of pals ofmine have tried to go outof the industry and failedmiserably.

“If I took a back seat, I’dhave to find somethingelse to do – probably openanother restaurant!”

■ TABLE MANNERS:Customer service is key,says Jonathan Nichols

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

PresidentialimplicationsYORKSHIRE business leadersare getting the chance to catchup with the forthcoming USpresidential elections.Government export support armUKTI is holding a “webinar” forBritish businesses to learn moreabout the potential implicationsfor UK-US trade – whetherDemocrat Barack Obama isreturned to the White House orthe voters opt for his Republicanopponent Mitt Romney.Mark Robson (pictured), regionaldirector of UKTI in Yorkshire,said: “The US is Yorkshire andHumber’s biggest export marketand boasts the mosttechnologically powerfuleconomy in the world.“However, as with any market, itis vital that exportersunderstand the local economicand political outlook – and thepresidential elections inNovember are likely to have asignificant impact.“The webinar is a valuable andtimely chance for UK companieswho already export to the US –as well as those who areinterested in exporting there – togain greater insight into whatthese political changes mightmean for them and theirmarkets.”Latest figures show that in the12 months to June, 2012,exports from Yorkshire and theHumber were more than £2.2bn.The webinar, which takes placetomorrow, will feature speakersfrom the British Embassy inWashington DC and the BritishConsulate-General in New York,is free and open to all Britishcompanies with an interest inthe US. To register, contact NickiBrooks atnicki.brooks@fco.gov.uk

Aiming for a top prizeFriday feelingBUSINESS leaders will be lettingoff steam this week.The First Friday Club will meet athe Head of Steam pub in StGeorge’s Square, Huddersfield,on this Friday.The informal networking group,organised by Huddersfieldaccountancy firm Revell Ward,will get together from 12.30pm to1.30pm for a chat and a fewdrinks.For details and to confirmattendance, go tofirstfriday@revellward.co.uk

Brokers agreemerger move

■ MEETING UP: Some of the Wilby Ltd team, including new starters,who are set for a new future following the merger with Ainley’sInsurance Brokers

TWO insurance brokers have com-pleted a merger – and recruitedmore staff.

Halifax-based chartered insur-ance broker Wilby Ltd has linkedup with Huddersfield-based Ain-ley’s Insurance Brokers in a moveto further strengthen their hand inKirklees and Calderdale.

The business has also appointedfour new members of staff andtaken on a graduate from Hudders-field University.

The merger and staff appoint-ments mean that Wilby Ltd nowemploys more than 60 people at itsCharles Street head office.

The merger also provides Ain-ley’s existing clients access to thewider services Wilby Ltd offerssuch as a qualified health andsafety adviser and a chartered lossadjuster.

The tie-up involves Ainley’sbusiness based at Lindley, whichwill move to Halifax. The firm’sBarnsley and Ossett branches arecontinuing as a separate entity

Geoff Otty and Ian McCaul,who set up Ainley’s 22 years ago,will continue to serve their clientsfrom Wilby’s premises in Halifaxalong with the rest of their team.

Between them Mr McCaul andMr Otty have more than 80 yearsexperience in the industry. Both areFellows of the Chartered InsuranceInstitute and Chartered InsuranceBrokers.

Mr McCaul said: “Our compan-ies are ideally matched and byjoining forces with Wilby ourincreased size ensures that we willbe able to continue to offer the verybest service for our clients goingforward.”

In addition to the merger, WilbyLtd has appointed four new staff

members across different areas ofthe business.

Kevin Barrett joins as a riskmanagement consultant, CarolineGunning joins as a corporateaccount handler, Caroline Reyn-olds as a scheme account handlerand Paul Stanislawski-Doyle as apersonal lines broker.

Wilby has also continued itspartnership with HuddersfieldUniversity to take on a placementstudent in its marketing depart-ment for the third successive year.Sarah Gibson has joined the mar-keting team as part of her businessstudies degree.

Wilby said that taking on aplacement student each yeardemonstrated the firm’s commit-ment to training and developmentin the local area – while giving MsGibson the opportunity to learnabout the industry and gain relev-ant work experience.

Wilby Ltd managing director

Richard Blackburn said: “Themerger with Ainley’s and theappointment of new staff membersin key areas of the business high-lights our continued growth as oneof the foremost independent insur-ance brokers in the region.

“We believe that the experienceand knowledge that these appoint-ments bring can help us to continuethis growth in the future.”

Wilby Ltd provides businessinsurance and risk managementservices to SME and corporate andprivate clients across the UK.

Its innovation in developingbespoke insurance schemes for spe-cialist industry sectors – includingcaravan park operators and motor-bike dealers – was recognised at the2012 British Insurance Awardswhere the firm won the award forBroking Initiative of the Year.Wilby Ltd also holds Investors inPeople status.

A CLECKHEATON company hasbeen shortlisted for the regionalheat of a prestigious award.

Graphic design businessMatthews Brand Solutions, whichhas offices at Riverside Drive, isamong the finalists in the categoryfor medium employer of the year inthe Yorkshire heat of the NationalApprenticeship Awards andNational Training Awards.

The firm is one of 24 companiesand apprentices to be shortlistedfor the awards which recogniseorganisations that have deliveredoutstanding training programmesand rewards excellent employersand their apprentices.

Both awards will be contested ata joint awards ceremony

organised by the NationalApprenticeship Service onThursday at the Leeds College ofMusic.

NAS area director Sue Pricesaid: “These joint NationalApprenticeship Awards andNational Training Awards offer afantastic platform for young peopleand employers in our region toshare centre stage and gain therecognition they richly deserve forencouraging ambition andenterprise, creating rewardingcareer opportunities and helpingto drive economic growth throughtheir commitment to skillsdevelopment.”

Alongside Matthews BrandSolutions, finalists in the

apprenticeship awards includeYorkshire Ambulance Service,Morrisons and the North YorkMoors National Park Authority.Finalists in the training awardsinclude North LincolnshireCouncil, Lovell Group and ASDA.

The National ApprenticeshipAwards and National TrainingAwards 2012 received about 1,500high quality entrants.

All the regional winners will gothrough to a final national judgingstage and the chance to featureamong England’s Top 100Apprenticeship Employers listproduced by NAS and City &Guilds.

Exportersget a boostYORKSHIRE firms have been givenextra funding to help them getexporting.UK Trade & Investment will use the£13m investment from the Governmentto help British businesses makecontacts and sell to overseas markets.The majority of the investment – up to£9m – will go directly towardsboosting trade opportunities for smalland medium sized businesses.It means there will be more money forSMEs to attend trade shows overseasand substantial discounts on theOverseas Market Introduction Service,which provides targeted marketresearch to help firms find crucial firstcontacts and encourage them toinvestigate new, fast-growing markets.There will also be increased supportfor travel on overseas trade missionsand £2.5m will be invested in helpingfirms access and win some of themany high-value opportunities thatUKTI has identified globally. A further£1.5m will be used for projectsincluding support for UKTI’s workattracting vital inward investment into

our economy.The announcement comes as UKTIprepares to host Export Week fromNovember 12 to 16. Events will includeExplore Export on November 14 inLeeds where UKTI experts from 70overseas markets will provide bespokeadvice about trading in traditional andhigh-growth markets.UKTI director for Yorkshire MarkRobson said: “This is welcomeinvestment that will provide a realboost to drive regional exports.“There are some fantastic companiesout there blazing trails to all corners ofthe globe, but there are many, manymore that have yet to take the plungeand that have the products, skills,quality and competitive edge to followtheir lead and make a real impact.”

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

THEBUSINESSBATTLEAXEAmanda Vigar

Amanda Vigar is managing partner at Holmfirth-based accountantsV&A Bell Brown LLP

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Why you mustmake them pay

WHETHER you are in business ornot, you’ll have heard the phrase

“cash flow is king” many times before.The saying has never been more true in the

thick of a recession when businesses of allshapes and sizes are going to the wall; quitefrequently due to the mammoth task theyface when trying to balance the books.

Yet, one of the most difficult tasks anysmall business owner can face is how tochase up an overdue invoice.

I say difficult because the SME has tonavigate a tricky path between having theirbill paid and not falling out with the cus-tomer. Here are some tips that will help anysmall business owner chase up overdueinvoices:

● Check payment runs – find out whencustomers make payment runs and what thecut off is. There’s no point in submitting theinvoice on the 20th if the cut off for thatmonth's payment run is the 19th!

● Make it easy to pay – You should have aclear collection policy in place outliningcredit terms, how you will collect money and

any overdue payments● Make invoices clear – having a good

system in place to record invoices is key.There are many software packages availableso you can also track payments. Rememberalso that, the last time a company can objectto an invoice they receive is on the day theyreceive it. After that time, they cannotquibble and dispute it

● Follow customer instructions – largecompanies in particular often have strictsystems for paying. Maybe they want aspecial invoice number – so make one forthem. Also ensure that it’s consistentthroughout your communications to avoidconfusion

● Follow up promptly – Make sure youhave a consistent collection procedure andalways follow up as promptly as possible.Keep a close eye on patterns in which clientsgenerally pay; and ask yourself whether thisfits in with your billing cycle? If the clientdoes not pay 10 days after the invoice is due,send them a 10-day letter re-iterating the factthat the invoice is due and (politely!) asking

for payment● Be polite – Shouting threats is not going

to do you or your business any favours.If all else fails and the client is ignoring

you or refusing to pay the bill, then considerwhether you really want their business infuture and make a decision about whether ornot it’s worthwhile to take them to the smallclaims court.

You can process a claim for money owedup to a value of £25,000 online atwww.moneyclaim.gov.uk. This covers mostdebts owed to SMEs; but if the debt exceedsthis level, consult a solicitor.

Consider as well that the business couldalso be going through tough times or theycould be unhappy with the service you haveprovided.

Either way, your main aim is make thempay their bill. Cash flow is king, remember.

Full-page adprize for firmTHERE were lots of winners at theKirklees Business Conference.But one local company had extra causefor celebration – as winner of anExaminer competition to win a full-pageadvert.Visitors to the Examiner stand wereinvited to enter the free draw by poppingtheir visiting cards into a bowl.And when the draw was made, the winneron the day was John Shepherd, of JohnShepherd Associates Ltd.The company provides regeneration andhousing consultancy services in areassuch as partnership development,business planning and interimmanagement.Companies took the opportunity of thefull-day conference at Huddersfield’sJohn Smith’s Stadium to renew oldcontacts, make new ones and promotetheir products and services to more than600 delegates.A programme of seminars featuringtop-ranked speakers and a KirkleesBusiness Titans question-and-answersession proved hugely popular – withattendees getting a valuable insight intothe thinking of successful businessleaders including Dean Hoyle, chairmanof Huddersfield Town; GalpharmPharmaceuticals founder Graham Leslie;and Freeserve founder Ajaz Ahmed.More than 40 organisations joined theExaminer in setting up stands for awell-attended exhibition.

A KIRKLEES company is proving a big hitin Scandinavia.

Cleckheaton-based Ferno, aworld-leading manufacturer of equipmentfor the funeral and mortuary sector, hasreported record sales of one of its latestproducts in Norway and Sweden.

The firm’s Model 11-T stretcher hasbeen specifically developed from itssuccessful Model 11 design and featuresan innovative track system that allows it tobe used on stairways with more control –reducing the risk of injury to funeral andmortuary personnel.

Ferno managing director Jon Ellis said:“Since the Model 11-T was launched wehave had some amazing feedback and it’sproving to be a popular solution.

“We found there was a gap in the marketfor a stretcher in the funeral and mortuarysector which would provide easiertransportation over uneven ground anddown stairs.

“In the past six months we’ve had recordsales in these countries and we expect this

to continue as more of those in theindustry recognise the usefulness of suchan innovative product.”

The Model 11-T Stretcher is sturdy andlightweight with two front wheels and anarrow track-to-ground clearance for easymanoeuvring over all surfaces, even withthe tracks deployed.

It folds in half when not in use for easycarrying and storage and includes twofive-inch quick release patient restraints, afoot rest and carrying case.

Ferno, which has more than 40 yearsexperience in the medical equipmentsector, provides equipment includingremoval trolleys, scoops and transferboards, trestles and biers.

The company also makes equipment forthe emergency services and exports tomore than 75 countries.

It is also looking to introduce its productsto the military sector, workplaces, visitorattractions, schools and universities.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

INFORMEDDEVELOPMENTMartin Thompson

Martin Thompson, is a partner in Commercial Property at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield

Are we right torelax the rules?

ONE Cabinet minister who came backfrom the summer break in fighting

form is Local Government SecretaryEric Pickles – announcing in the Houseof Commons on September 6 a range ofmeasures to provide more affordablehomes and boost the constructionindustry.

The proposal that has made most impact isa one-month Government consultation thatcould allow homeowners to build extensionsup to 8 metres from the rear wall of anydetached home and 6 metres for all otherswithout the need to apply for planning permis-sion.

This is a doubling of the current permittedsize, but the rules that restrict an extension tono more than 50% of the property’s gardenwill remain in force. The proposal is for this tolast for three years. Plus, business will be ableto expand shops by 100sq metres and indus-trial units by 200sq metres.

As with most changes to do with rethinkingplanning laws, there are dissenting voices andwithin the Conservative party itself. Rich-mond Council, fearing a deluge of ugly exten-sions, is considering ways to circumvent thenew proposed policy. Their Conservativedeputy leader, Geoffrey Samuel, said that themove would be “deeply unpopular” withmany residents and allowing neighbours nosay in extensions may infringe “their humanright to enjoy their own homes in peace”.

However, the proposals go much wider thanthis. The Government are looking to create adebt guarantee for up to £10bn. Under thisscheme, the Government hopes to enabledevelopers to raise debt with a Governmentguarantee, where they commit to investing inadditional new-build rented homes. Govern-ment are inviting expressions of interest fromdevelopers looking to benefit from thisscheme.

A second significant proposal is a change toaffordable housing requirements within devel-opments. Where a developer can prove that therequirement for the number of affordablehouses within a site renders the developmentunviable, the developer will from early 2013 beable to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.The Planning Inspectorate will then be able tocreate a new agreement with fewer affordablehomes.

A summary of the proposals is shownbelow:

● £40bn in government guarantees tounderwrite major infrastructure projects and£10bn to underwrite the construction of newhomes, subject to a new legislative bill beingpassed

● Funding of £300m to provide 15,000affordable homes and bring 5,000 emptyhomes back into use

● An infrastructure fast-track process largescale projects

● Planning Inspectorate to decide planningapplications where the local authority has atrack record of poor performance, speed orquality of decisions

● A new fast track appeals procedure forsome small commercial appeals

● Developers to reduce or remove the needfor affordable housing where it is proven theymake a site “commercially unviable”

● Consult on a three-year relaxation ofplanning rules on extending homes and busi-ness premises

● An extra £280m for the FirstBuy schemeto help first time homeowners with adeposit.

Business Minister Vince Cable has said:“The Government is saying... to registeredsocial landlords and to private house builders,look: if you’re finding it too expensive to raisemoney yourself to put shovels in the ground toemploy people on construction sites and buildnew homes for private rent and to buildaffordable homes, we’re going to make itcheaper for you to do so.”

Whilst the legislation has not yet beenpassed, an Englishman’s home is now certainlyunder debate.

Eddisons agreestakeover deal

Company backs armed forcesA DEWSBURY company is supportingBritain’s armed forces by offering flexibleemployment for a reservist who works forthe firm.Martin Bailey, an IT support administratorwith Rixonway Kitchens, serves with theYorkshire Regiment and plays trombonein the regimental band.He takes part in parades, marches,concerts, military and civil events andwelcoming home troops.He played in the presentation of thecolours to the Yorkshire Regiment as wellas for its Colonel-in-Chief, Prince Andrew.Martin, who is a lance corporal, iscurrently working for a promotion to a fullcorporal by embarking on various dutiesand taking technical qualifications withinthe band.Rixonway’s public show of supportcomes as the former head of theTerritorial Army, the Duke of Westminster,criticised British firms for discriminatingagainst reservists by refusing to employthem because of their part-time militaryrole.Yet serving with the forces meansreservists are able to gain transferableskills that cannot be learnt in their ownjob – including key skills such asreliability, fitness, self-confidence andteamwork.The Government’s recent Defence Review

included a reduction in the number ofregulars in each Service and an increasein reservists by 2020.

Since 2003, there have been more than27,000 mobilisations of workingreservists.

■ MILITARY BAND: Martin Bailey (second right), who serves as a reservist with TheYorkshire Regiment and works as an IT support administrator at Rixonway Kitchens inDewsbury

TWO propertysector firms havejoined forces.CharteredsurveyorsEddisons, whichhas offices inHuddersfield, hasacquired PhilipDavies & Sons, oneof the UK’s leadingindependent firmsof plant, machineryand business asset valuers, for anundisclosed sum.All staff from Davies’ London,Manchester and Nottingham offices ofthe business will join Eddisons,increasing the headcount in itsmachinery and business assetsdepartment to 27.The acquisition means Eddisons nowhas an auction centre in the Manchesterarea, serving the North West and theMidlands in addition to its existingfacility covering Yorkshire and the NorthEast, which opened at the start of thisyear.Nigel McDonald (pictured), managingdirector of Eddisons, said: “Thisacquisition increases our geographicalfootprint and means we can now providebanks and insolvency practitioners withvaluations and sales of assets, stockand properties on a truly national basis.“It is also good news for clients of PhilipDavies & Sons who will benefit from oursignificant range of specialist propertyservices and exposure to an enhancedauction capability.”Peter Davies, managing director of PhilipDavies & Sons, said: “I am really excitedat the prospect of joining our twobusinesses together to provide acomplete service to our combined clientbase. I look forward to working with thestaff of both companies to make a realsuccess of this acquisition.”Eddisons was advised on thetransaction by the Leeds offices ofLupton Fawcett and BDO. Funding wasprovided by Barclays Bank.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7

Recognition foroverseas starsKIRKLEES professional servicefirms working overseas inconstruction-related sectors havebeen invited to compete for a majoraward.

The British Expertise InternationalAwards 2013 are open toprofessional services firms workinginternationally in infrastructure,architecture, construction,development and related industries.

The awards recognise theachievements of the professionalservices sector at a crucial time forthe UK economy – celebrating theambition of both large corporationsand small and medium-sizedbusinesses.

Graham Hand (pictured) chiefexecutive of British Expertise, said:“Companies in the professionalservices sector are the unsungheroes in the national drive toachieve an export-led recovery.

“They are playing a leadershiprole in many of the world’s mostimportant infrastructure, constructionand development projects,generating billions for the UKeconomy.

“Now is the time to trumpet theinternational achievements of thisvibrant sector, showcasing the verybest individuals, projects andorganisations from within ourindustry.”

The awards will be announced ata celebration dinner on March 7,

2013, in London when Lord Green,Minister of State for Trade andInvestment, will deliver the keynoteaddress.

Award categories include ones forinternational business, internationalcollaboration, design project,architecture project, developmentproject and environmental project.

There are also awards foroutstanding personal contributionand Young Consultant of the Year.

Entries close on November 5,2012. Visit www.britishexpertiseawards.com

Stamp duty hitsluxury propertiesA RISE in stamp duty in the lastBudget has affected sales of someof West Yorkshire’s most exclusiveresidences, says a property expert.

Matthew Pryke, chief executiveof the Fine & Country estateagency in Huddersfield, said thegovernment’s decision to putstamp duty on homes worth morethan £2m up to 7% in the springhad depressed the market in luxuryhomes.

It is estimated there are morethan 80,000 homes in the UK overthe £2m threshold, including hun-dreds in and around West York-shire, with the rise adding an extra£40,000 to the cost of buying a £2mproperty – bringing the total taxbill to £140,000.

“The impact has been bigger inthe country than in the primeLondon market, which is mainlyinternationally driven,” said MrPryke, whose firm also has agen-cies in Leeds and Wakefield.

“It’s difficult to address stampduty directly because volume in themarket has generally declined in

that sector.“If you look at the latest Land

Registry statistics, over the lastcouple of years the market hasdeclined around 50%, even if youare being generous.

“I don’t think the introductionof a higher rate of stamp duty was

a surprise – the property industryis used to being heavily taxed.

“But I think there was exaspera-tion at a time when the economicpicture was more difficult than ithas been for a number of years.”

A recent survey of 1,000 million-aires and multi-millionaires byinvestment experts Skandiashowed that a quarter of affluentindividuals in the UK would avoidbuying properties in the £2m-plusbracket.

The Millionaire Monitor reportalso found that a further 11.4% ofthe super-rich intend to sell anyproperties they own with a value ofmore than £2m.

Mr Pryke said it was vital thegovernment got banks lendingagain in order to stimulate themarket.

“We’ve been quite lucky at Fine& Country in that while the marketis challenging we are doing well inthe markets that we compete in butI don’t expect the market tochange,” he said.

■ PRESSURE: Matthew Pryke,of Fine & Country

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Kelly Devlin

TaxAssistAccountantsLOCKWOOD-based TaxAssistAccountants has appointed KellyDevlin (pictured) as is first-everapprentice.

Ms Devlin, 19, will receiveon-the-job training while studyingone day a week to gain her AATAccounting Technicianqualifications.

Nick Brook, who runsTaxAssist in Huddersfield, said: “We firmlybelieve in on-the-job training and are delightedto have successfully set up our firstapprenticeship scheme.”

Ellie Lyon

MYCCiELLIE Lyon has been appointedmarketing manager for the MidYorkshire Chamber ofCommerce.

Ms Lyon (pictured) joins theLockwood-based chamber witha wealth of new marketingexperience. She worked forHuddersfield-based YorkshireEnergy Services for more thanfour years providing marketingand PR for some of the UK’slargest council-backed insulation schemes.

The chamber, which has offices at LockwoodPark and in Halifax and Wakefield, supportsand provides a voice for local businessesacross Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.

Said Ms Lyon: “I’m delighted to have joinedsuch a well-regarded company as the chamber.I’m looking forward to delivering and promotinga high class service for our member companiesand aim to develop the membership benefits tobe much more interactive.”

Her role includes encouraging members’feedback on chamber services. She will also belaunching discussions through Linkedin and thewebsite.

Ben Jefferson, Philip Nuttal & MatthewMarsden

BrighterConnectionsA HUDDERSFIELD IT practice has announceda series of appointments.

Brighter Connections, based at Edgerton, hasappointed Ben Jefferson to the board ofdirectors alongside managing director DarrenStringer and expanded its sales andprofessional services functions.

Philip Nuttall, who has more than 20 yearsexperience working in IT as a salesprofessional, joins the company as businessdevelopment manager. He will work to securenew business as well as developingrelationships with existing clients.

Matthew Marsden has joined BrighterConnections to support the customer-facingsales team while Jason Hughes has joined as atechnical consultant. Mr Hughes has experienceas a consultant in both the commercial andeducation sectors.

The latest additions to the team follow a moveto new offices at Edgerton, the appointment ofMr Jefferson to the board of directors and theaddition of several key vendor accreditations.

Brighter Connections has also created a newbrand identity and enhanced business model –both designed to elevate the business andsupport the company’s desire to help all theirclients to profit from IT.

Recognition fora growing firm!A HUDDERSFIELD law firm has namedthe latest winner of its monthly businessaward scheme.

Eaton Smith hosted a presentation at itsHigh Street offices to recognise metal fab-ricating and powder coating specialistsC&C Fabrications Ltd.

The business was formed in 2004 by thetwo partners, Chris Butler and Chris Wal-ladge, to carry out basic sheet metal work-ing using standard plant and machinery.

It continued to develop slowly with asmall customer base – until the turningpoint came in 2005 with the purchase of itscurrent premises at Ferrybridge, Knot-tingley.

The move allowed the business to capital-ise on further opportunities to add moreaccredited welding services as well asincreasing capacity for the core business.

The firm quickly outgrew the existingpremises, forcing it to significantly extendthe factory during 2006 and allowing it todevelop the powder coating processin-house – resulting in a far better quality inthe finished product being delivered to thecustomer.

The company employs 40 people skilledin metal working, welding and fabricationand provides continuous training anddevelopment to support the growth of thebusiness and allow it to increase capacity.

Its customers base includes generalengineering, manufacturing, food pro-cessing and chemicals.

The judging panel commended C&CFabrications Ltd for growing the businessthrough a very depressed market during therecession with investment in plant, equip-ment and their staff. The result has been a60% improvement in revenues this year.

Managing director Chris Butler said:“It’s great to be awarded the business of themonth prize.

“It goes some way to make all the hardwork that has been done by us and all thestaff involved worthwhile”.

The award is run in association with MidYorkshire Chamber of Commerce andUKTI. It is open to firms in Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield.

Contact Ian Greenwood at Eaton Smithon 01484 821389 for more information.

■ HEAVY METAL: Chris Taylor (centre), of Eaton Smith, presents the award tonamesake Chris Taylor (second right), of C&C Fabrications, with judges (from left) ChrisJowett, of Jowett Chartered Surveyors; Gary Dickinson, of Gibson Booth; and AnnieBradley, of UKTI

Ronald Clark

Clough &CompanyONE OF Yorkshire’s mostexperienced andwell-respected accountancyprofessionals has joinedCleckheaton-based charteredaccountants Clough &Company as a director.

Roland Clark (pictured) hasworked in West Yorkshire foralmost 30 years at firmsincluding Grant Thornton, Horwath ClarkWhitehill and most recently Baker Tilly. Hebrings a wealth of SME, not-for-profit, charityand social enterprise accountancy experienceto the position and has also played aninfluential role in a wide range of Yorkshireschools successfully becoming academies.

Mr Clark is Pro-Chancellor and treasurer ofthe University of Bradford, a director ofBradford YMCA and a lay canon of BradfordCathedral as well as chairing its financecommittee.

He will work across Clough & Company’sCleckheaton and Keighley offices.

Mr Clark is a past president of BradfordChamber of Commerce and president ofBradford Society of Chartered Accountants.

Centenary partyA TRAINING organisationcelebrating its 100th anniversarysaid “thank you” to its clients acrossthe north at an event in WestYorkshire.

Juliette Dennett, Mirfield-basedmanaging director of Dale CarnegieNorthern England, welcomedguests to a lunch in Leeds,

During the event, David Fagiano,chief operating officer for DaleCarnegie Associates, presented theDale Carnegie Leadership Award toclient Robert Forrester, chiefexecutive of automotive dealershipVertu Motors, based in Gateshead.

Said Juliette: “This year has beena momentous one for DaleCarnegie and this lunch is a way ofsaying thank you to those we’veworked with for the last centenary.It’s also about looking forward tothe next 100 years.

“We wanted to celebrate thesuccess of Vertu Motors bypresenting Robert with the award,which is for outstanding businessleaders where exceptional resultshave been achieved throughexemplary leadership.

“In the past five years, the onlyother recipients in the UK of thisaward have been the plant directorof Vauxhall Motors at Ellesmere

Port and the chief executive ofOdeon Cinemas.”

Dale Carnegie has worked withVertu Motors for the last four years,supporting Vertu’s training anddevelopment strategy for seniorpersonnel, delivering leadershipdevelopment and managementdevelopment.

■ THANKS: Juliette Dennett,managing director of Dale CarnegieNorthern England