KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees7, Febr uar y, 2012

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ASHLEY LINDSAY

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An EXAMINER publication

Look afteryour cashKIRKLEES businesseshave been urged toprotect theirhard-earned cash.TaxAssist Accountantsin Huddersfield saidcompanies should doeverything possible inthe current difficultclimate to avoidpenalties from the taxman – and make surethey claim everythingto which they’reentitled.

Focus onretailingRETAILERS will findout about a newapprenticeship for theindustry and get a fewpointers to futuresuccess at an event inHuddersfield. Businessguru Nicky Pattinsonwill be the key speakerwhen Kirklees Collegestages its Retailer inKirklees event nextmonth at the GalpharmStadium. It aims to helplocal retailers developbetter customerservice and increasetheir profits. The eventwill also see the launchof the college’s newapprenticeship in retail.

SIMON KAYEFTSE 100- 8 .87

5892.2

Scotland bears fruit for energy firm OrchardAN energy management company basedin Brighouse is to open a second Scottishoffice in Aberdeen sooner than expec-ted.

Orchard Energy managing directorGareth Henderson said expanding intoNorth East Scotland had always beenpart of his strategy – but was nowimminent following stronger than anti-cipated growth.

The firm, which advises on businessenergy purchasing and efficiency meas-ures, including metering and renewables,moved its Glasgow office to largerpremises last year and appointed regionalmanager Ross McColl to develop newbusiness throughout the country.

Its work with Paisley Abbey – whichresulted in an £11,000 tax rebate for theabbey after billing errors were uncovered– was widely publicised last year.

Orchard has also attracted a string ofhigh profile new clients north of theborder, including Dobbies GardenCentres PLC, Bonar Yarns Ltd, Silber-line Ltd, Hamilton Park Racecourse,Maxi Haulage, Daiwa Sports and Rock-well Solutions.

Mr Henderson said: “There seems tobe a real hunger among Scottish busi-nesses for information on efficiency,green energy and purchasing in the faceof rising energy costs and increased regu-lation.

“One of the fastest growing areas ofour business in Scotland is energy solu-tions, which advises organisations onefficiency and renewable energy alternat-ives.”

Mr Henderson said he was now look-ing at a number of possible sites inAberdeen and was actively recruiting a

local team.“We have offices throughout the UK

and in every case we have recruitedlocally to make sure we have people whoreally know and understand the regionand its business climate,” he said.

“We are doing the same in Aberdeenand hope to have the office and teamoperational within months.”

Mr Henderson also revealed plans toexpand into the Midlands and SouthEast. The firm already has offices inBristol, Cardiff, Newcastle and Bradfordalong with its Brighouse head office.

He said: “Over the next 12 months, weintend to have teams operational frombases in Redhill and Northampton andto expand the team at our head office inWest Yorkshire, where the head countwill need to rise to support UKgrowth.”

■ HOT TOPIC: OrchardEnergy’s Gareth Henderson

Agencies backingstudio school planCREATIVE businesses are taking fur-ther steps to get Huddersfield’s innov-ative Studio School up and running.

Representatives of creative andmedia sector firms in the town tookpart in a business employer forum atthe new Creative and Media StudioSchool at Rawthorpe’s NetherhallLearning Campus.

Darren Evans, of The EngineRoom, and Danny Bulmer, of Date ofBirth – both brand design agenciesfrom Huddersfield – were joined byMike Roberts, of Birstall-based PMGPrint Management at the meeting.

Also involved were Joan Young,principal at Netherhall LearningCampus; Sarah Huntington, directorof the Studio School; and SusanKenyon and Laura Scholey, both fromAsk Marketing, who are heading upthe employer engagement campaign.

The Studio School concept aims tomake students more work ready byencouraging firms in the creative andmedia sector to provide opportunitiesfor them to work on “live” projects.

The forum was a chance to hear theemployer’s view on what is realisticand workable for a business to take on

a student and explored work place-ments versus work experience.

Other ways which were discussed forbusinesses to get involved are throughmentoring, becoming an ambassador,providing representatives for aDragons’ Den panel and giving talksto students.

Ms Young said: “It was a very usefuldiscussion with businesses that areinterested in the Creative and MediaStudio School.

“The importance of placements – ina chosen area of work which a studentis interested in and potentially wantsto pursue as a career rather than workexperience where the student experi-ences work but not in their chosen field– were identified.

“As a result of the forum, we aregoing to progress the Studio School’splacement or experience propositionfurther with a sample of Studio Schoolstudents.”

Mr Evans said the Studio Schoolconcept was a good one. “There aretoo many accountants in charge ofbusinesses,” he said. “We need morecreative entrepreneurs and businessleaders.

“What I like about the StudioSchool is that it nurtures creative tal-ent, but in a commercial setting. We’reexcited about being a part of this.”

Mr Bulmer added: “The StudioSchool in Huddersfield is a real posit-

ive step in the right direction in solvingthe skills gap between education andbusiness. It’s innovative, exciting andfocuses on bringing together busi-nesses and creative students to solvethis nationwide issue.”

■ TABLE TALK: Laura Scholey (front) with (clockwise) Joan Young, HollyRumble, Susan Kenyon, Sarah Huntington, Graham Pearce, Danny Bulmerand Darren Evans at the employers’ forum

Well-furnished business

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

Local shares

FTSE closed at

5892.2down8.87

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.39 dollarsBangladesh................. 125.39 takaBrazil.............................. 2.42 realsCanada....................... 1.50 dollarsChina ............................. 8.89 yuanCzech Republic ...... 27.61 korunasDenmark....................... 8.52 kroneEuro............................... 1.15 euroHong Kong................ 11.60 dollarsHungary ................... 314.25 forintsIndia.......................... 67.70 rupeesJapan........................... 114.96 yenMexico ....................... 17.83 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.76 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.73 kronePakistan.................. 134.41 rupeesPhilippines ................. 57.45 pesosSouth Africa.................. 11.15 randSouth Korea.............. 1540.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 170.03 rupeesSweden....................... 10.11 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.39 francsTaiwan ...................... 40.74 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.62 new liraUSA ............................ 1.51 dollars

Carclo 3281/2 +3Marshalls 1007/8 +7/8National Grid 637 -41/2Weir Gp £201/2 -1/8

Cuts hit schools supplierA MAJOR supplier of whiteboardsand technology for school classroomsswung to a loss as it suffered theeffects of Government spending cuts.

Oxfordshire-based RM said it hadbattled a challenging year in which the“severe tightening of public sectorbudgets” was compounded by anunsuccessful international expansionprogramme and a lack of innovation.The group was hit by Governmentmoves to scale back or cancel unfin-ished Building Schools for the Futureprojects, including seven for whichRM was the preferred bidder worth£200m.

RM made a bottom-line loss of£23.4 million in the 14 months toNovember 30, compared to profits of£23.9 million the previous year, afterit took a £31.6 million hit following astrategic review that saw it sell severalbusinesses. Revenues fell 8% to £350.8million

Shares fell 13% after the updatealthough it claimed its review left itoptimistic about the future.

A strategic review announced inSeptember has seen it dispose of sev-eral businesses including a hardwarefirm in the US and its Australianoperations.

BT ordered to cutthe prices of chatMILLIONS of customers should seetheir phone bills come down.

The prices consumers pay for broad-band and landline telephone servicesare expected to fall after Ofcomannounced plans to reduce the amountBT can charge rivals to rent lines.

The communications regulator hasproposed cuts of up to 19% in theamount that BT’s wholesale networkOpenreach, which owns the majority oflandlines in the country, will be able tocharge from April.

And there are expected to be furtherdecreases the following year.

This is the third time Ofcom has setthe prices that Openreach chargesother companies for using their linesand its proposals are expected to bene-fit BT’s rivals such as TalkTalk and Sky,

who may choose to pass on the lowercosts to consumers.

However, BT said it is consideringappealing against Ofcom’s decisionbecause it disagrees with the way it haddone its calculations.

BT said it needed to get a “fair” rateof return if it is to continue investing in

the UK’s infrastructure. It is currentlyrolling out superfast broadband totwo-thirds of the population by 2014.

A BT spokesman said: “Whilst theprices are within the range outlined byOfcom in November, we disagree withsome of the underlying assumptionsthat they have used to determine these

Magpie enjoys feathering nestA BUSINESS that buys and sellsused CDs, DVDs and video gamesonline enjoyed its busiest ever daylast month as people sold unwantedChristmas gifts to free up cash.

Entertainment Magpie buys theitems through its Music Magpie web-site and they are then cleaned,repackaged and sold through itsThat’s Entertainment brand, whichruns a website and 26 high streetstores.

The business said in one day inJanuary it bought a record-breaking602,417 items – six times the normalamount – as people made good onnew year’s resolutions to declutterand get rid of unwanted Christmas

gifts.The most commonly traded items

on the day were Guns N’Roses’greatest hits, Nirvana albums andLord of the Rings DVD box-sets.

The firm also said people wastedno time selling unwanted Christmaspresents, after nearly a million itemswere sold on Christmas Day andBoxing Day, with U2’s Joshua Treealbum and Dirty Dancing DVD top-ping the list of unwanted gifts.

The company’s business model ofbuying second-hand goods cheaplyfrom the public has allowed it tothrive at a time when retailers includ-ing HMV and Game are struggling tocompete with cheaper downloads.

Lightingup timesBUSINESSES arespending up to half oftheir electricity billspowering offices aftertheir staff have left workfor the day, according toresearch.

Data from thousandsof smart meter readingsrevealed that 46% ofbusiness electricity usehappened outside thetraditional working day of8am to 6pm.

The bills coveredlighting empty car parksand shopping centreskeeping display lights onand vending machinesleft on overnight and atweekends.

Yorkshireis bestSAVERS have votedYorkshire BuildingSociety top of the HighStreet, with theaward-winning mutualbeing named Best HighStreet Savings Providerin the 2012 MoneyfactsConsumer Awards.

The Society was alsoHighly Commended inthe First Time BuyerMortgage Buyers’ Choicecategory – again chosenby customers.

The award followsseveral others alreadypresented to theYorkshire this year,including Moneynet’sBest Overall MortgageProvider, Best OnlineMortgage Provider andBest Offset MortgageProvider.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £32.48 -0.52Gannett 953.13 +11.37Hess Corp £38.30 +0.16Microsoft 1896.79 -13.26Motors Liquidation 47.37Wal-Mart Stores £39.04 -0.14

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 302 -7BAE Systems 3177/8 -11/4Rolls-Royce 7851/2 +1/2

AIMBrady Plc 81Dawson Intl 13/8Man Brnze 251/2 +1/2

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2245/8 -1

BANKSBarclays 2313/8 -6HSBC 5571/2 -2Lloyds Banking Gp 351/4 +7/8Ryl Scotland 283/4 +1/8Stan Chart 15881/2 -151/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1474 +13SABMiller £25 -3/8

CHEMICALSCroda 1999 +1Elementis 98 1603/8 -11/2Johnsn Mat £221/2 -1/8

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2841/4 -31/2Costain 2007/8 +37/8

ELECTRICITYDrax Gp 530 -101/2Intl Power 3413/4 -21/8SSE 1247 -5

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 170 +5/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3633/4 -13/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 216 +2Cable & WirelessComm

451/8 +13/8

Cable & WirelessWwide

213/8 -1/8

Colt Group 911/2 -5/8KCOM 75 +13/4Talktalk Telecom 1187/8 -17/8

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 295 -1/4Sainsbury 2951/8Tesco 3243/4 -17/8

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1175 -7Tate Lyle 6871/2 +7Unilever £201/4 -1/8

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3003/8 -1/2National Grid 637 -41/2Pennon Grp 694 -5Severn 1514 -20United Utils 601 -8

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2041/4 -1

ICAP 383 +3/4London StockExch 9441/2 -21/2Man Group 137 +1/4Provident Financial 985 +1Schroders 1609 -20Schroders NV 1285 -16

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 604 +8REXAM 3811/8 -25/8Smiths Grp 1000 -17

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 211/8 +1/8Carphone Whse 173 -1/2Dixons Retail 143/4 +3/8Home Retail 1141/2 -25/8Inchcape 3581/4 -3Kingfisher 2717/8 -1M & S 3453/4 +43/4Mothercare 2021/2 -43/4Next £275/8WH Smith 528 +1/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6421/2 +21/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 801/2 +1/2Barrat Dev 1195/8 -1/4Persimmon 550 +11/2Reckitt Benckiser £341/8 -3/4Taylor Wimpey 443/4

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGI M I 9191/2 +61/2

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 3661/4 +71/4

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 1853/8 -33/8

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3741/4 -23/4Lgl & Gen 1201/2 -7/8Old Mutual 1543/4 -31/8Prudential 7271/2 -41/2Resolution 2787/8 -13/4Standard Life 2267/8 -23/8

MEDIABSkyB 689 -101/2D Mail Tst 470 -33/4ITV 773/4 -15/8Johnston Press 6 -1/2Pearson 1206 +1Reed Elsevier 528 -11/2STV Group 921/2 +11/2Trinity Mirror 47Utd Business 582 +2UTV 112 +2WPP 776 -3Yell Group 57/8

MININGAnglo American £287/8 -1/4Antofagasta 1363 -36BHP Billiton £22 -1/8Eurasian NaturalRes

7211/2 -91/2

Fresnillo 1817 -33Kazakhmys 1190 -24Lonmin 1080 -23Rio Tinto £391/2 -3/8VEDANTARESOURCES

1317 -42

Xstrata 12611/2 -211/2

MOBILE TELECOM SERVICESInmarsat 422 -5/8Vodafone Group 1777/8 +23/4

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 9981/2 -391/2RSA Insurance Gp 112 -3/4

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1430 +5BP 4891/2 +5Cairn Energy 3447/8 +561/8Royal Dutch Shell A £225/8Royal Dutch Shell B £227/8Total £337/8 -1/8Tullow Oil 1466 +4

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1063 +8Petrofac 1475 +1Wood Gp(J) 6791/2 +71/2

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1446 -15PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £30 -1/8GlaxoSmithK 31/2Shire £211/4 +1/4

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 5051/2 +21/2Captl Shop Cent 3401/4 +11/4Hamrsn 3811/4 -11/2Land Secs 6871/2SEGRO 2271/2 +23/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 2151/4 +21/2Logica 831/2 +21/4Misys 335 +51/2Sage Group 3031/4 -1/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 4681/2 +33/4Bunzl 873 -6Capita 6341/2 -4De La Rue 980Electrocomp 2341/8 +17/8Experian 906 +21/2G4S 2745/8 +5/8Hays 827/8 -27/8Homeserve 2847/8 -51/2Menzies J 5981/2 -4Rentokil 771/4 -11/8Smiths News 951/4 -11/4

Wolseley £227/8 -1/8

IT HARDWARE

ARM Hldgs 577 -11Psion 42 +1/4Spirent Comms 1321/4 +11/8

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £303/4 +1/4Imperial Tobacco £241/8 +1/4

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 174 +21/4Carnival 1992 +1Compass Grp 629 +41/2easyJet 472 -41/8Enterprise Inns 44 +2FirstGroup 3061/8 -4Go-Ahead Gp 1282 -2Greene King 5171/2 -4Intercontl Htls 1367 -6Intl Cons AirlinesGp

1863/8 -31/4

Ladbrokes 1461/4 -7/8Mitchells & Butlers 2681/2 -1/4Natl Express 225 -1/4Rank Org 140 +51/8Stagecoach Group 2811/4 +11/8TUI Travel 2061/2 -3/4Whitbread 1706 -10

INDEXFTSE 100 5892.20 -8.87

INDEXFTSE 250 11237.74 +2.59

charge controls.“Our primary concern throughout

this process is to ensure that we are ableto achieve a fair rate of return in orderto continue our investment in the futureof the UK’s communications infra-structure.”

Ofcom’s plans would see the amountBT can charge for a telephone andbroadband line fall 4.5% to £87.41 peryear.

However, the cost of using a broad-band line only should also drop 18.9%to £11.92.

Ofcom has submitted the proposalsfor approval by the European Commis-sion and is due to publish its finaldecision early next month. Ofcom reg-ulates the prices BT can charge becauseit has “significant market power”.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

Ashley Lindsay

LindsaysFurniture Mill

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Managing directorAge: 38Family: Partner Rachel anddaughters Naomi, 19, Ellie,16, Amelie, five and Tiga 4Holidays: Backpacking inSouth AsiaCar: VW TransporterFirst job: I had my ownpaper roundBest thing about job: Iam always excited aboutgoing to workWorst thing about job:Letting a customer down – wedon’t do it very often!Business tip: Always lookfor ways of doing things better

Work: Independent furnitureretailerSite: MilnsbridgePhone: 01484 648670Email: sakes@lindsaysfurnituremill.comWeb: www.lindsaysfurnituremill.com

Ashley’sno timeto takeit easy!

THERE’S always somethingnew to learn in business.

After 20 years involvementwith family firm LindsaysFurniture Mill, managing directorAshley Lindsay is still keen topick up tips and techniques tomake the business work better.

The internet is providing a richsource of information andinspiration for the ambitious38-year-old, who is already wellon the way to realising hisambitions for theMilnsbridge-based business.

Ashley follows a weekly onlinepodcast, Manager Tools, whichfocuses on management andleadership skills. The podcastdispenses with managementtheory in favour of specificactions business leaders cantake to improve theirmanagement performance.

Says Ashley: “I have learnedso many things from it. I feel Ican learn every day. Forinstance, this morning I waslistening to a podcast aboutinterview techniques. It’s easy todistinguish the best job applicantfrom the worst, but how do youdistinguish between the best, thesecond-best and the third-best?”

And he adds: “With theinformation and lessons I’vepicked up, I could probably walkinto McDonald’s and give themsome useful advice!”

Customer service and staffingmatters are key areas for Ashleyas he further develops thebusiness which was founded byhis parents 30 years ago and formany years was know asLindsays Allsorts.

“My parents were bothinterested in antiques,” heexplains. “My dad was amachine engineer, but he’d hadenough of red-hot filings flyingaround and decided to dosomething else. He startedselling antiques from the garage,then started doing houseclearances.”

A shop was opened inCrosland Moor and a secondadded in Byram Street, close toHuddersfield open market. Later,Lindsays acquired the top floorof an impressive mill building atBritannia Road, Milnsbridge.

From selling stockaccumulated from houseclearances, Lindsays beganbuying catalogue returns andend-of-line furniture, which werestored at Stanley Mill to supplythe shops. In time, customersbegan calling at the mill itself.

Says Ashley: “We had aworkshop for repairs and we hada large stock of beds, suites andother furniture in a mill buildingwith bare walls, floors andwhite-painted iron pillars. Six orseven years ago our ‘uniqueselling point’ was that we had300 suites that were cheaperthan anywhere else.”

More recently, the mill hasbeen transformed as part of along-term investment in stock,fixtures, fittings and additionalattractions designed to turnLindsays Furniture Mill into adestination store.

Two floors of the spacious millprovide display space for a hugevariety of sofas, living andbedroom furniture, ranging fromtraditional to more contemporarystyles including well-knownbrands.

The ground floor has beengiven a major make-over withthe addition of a coffee shop aswell as attractive room setsfeaturing quality sofas, chairsand dining furniture. The firstfloor is set for similar treatment,while Ashley has plans to

introduce giftware and add anoutdoor garden centre to the rearof the building.

While some may drawcomparisons with Batley’s RedBrick Mill, Ashley says he isaiming for something different.“We are here for the people ofHuddersfield,” he says. “And weare an ‘antidote’ to thosefurniture ‘sheds’ where the stafftry to sell you something at allcosts. We are a family businessand we want to look after ourcustomers.”

As part of efforts to meetcustomer demand, orders go outaccompanied with a feedbackform, asking clients to rate theservice they receive and askingif there’s anything that can beimproved.

There are also feedbacksessions for the firm’s 10-strongstaff. Says Ashley: “It’s quite anAmerican thing, really. But it’s notabout giving someone a tellingoff for something they’ve donewrong – it’s about making surethey do it the right way in thefuture.

“If we get the structure in placeand the processes right andeveryone follows the processesthe less time I have to spend onthe day-to-day issues and themore I can look at the biggerpicture.”

He says: “We have openedlines of communication with thestaff. We have lots ofone-to-ones and staff meetings.We ask staff if there’s anythingthey are struggling with or if theyhave any concerns. Havingweekly one-to-ones means wecan deal with problems thatpeople might otherwise push tothe background – only for themto come to a head later. I wouldrather hear bad news or criticismabout me or the business so Ican do something about it!

“We devote 10 minutes for theemployee, 10 minutes for meand 10 minutes to identifysomething we need to improve. Itmay be something they need toknow more about – a product ora process. We put the steps inplace to work through it.”

Ashley says: “We getmotivational speakers in toexplain how to get an order – byfinding out what the customerwants, asking about their houseand its decor, where the furnitureis going to go and explaininghow a product could be the rightone for them.”

Putting so much focus on staffmotivation and customersatisfaction should pay dividendswhen Lindsays Furniture Millopens its new premises at LeedsRoad, in the spring.

Having worked in the formertown centre stores andexperiencing the sense ofisolation that can bring, Ashleyknows the importance ofensuring good communicationsbetween head office and thenew shop – which is why thebusiness has also invested innew computer systems.

Ashley also knows that a highstreet presence can helppromote the mill, too.

“I dropped out of collegebecause I was bored with it,” headmits. He resisted joining thefamily business at first, saying: “Ididn’t want come into thebusiness and have people think Iwas handed it all on a plate. Iworked in the shop in town andas it got busier at the mill, I cameback. I showed that I had someentrepreneurial flair, I could buyand sell.”

Ashley says the trick is to lookafter the customer and give goodadvice. “We aim to provide arelaxed atmosphere,” he says.“Customers want to buysomething that will last them forthe rest of their lives. As a buyer,I am trying to find as manythings as I can for people – butto buy the right product at theright price at the right time.”

Ashley recognises that changeshould start at the top – and thatbegins in the boss’s office. “Ihave never had a tidier desk,” hesays. “I know where everything isand my mind is clear, whichhelps me concentrate on comingup with new ideas. This placeused to resemble a bomb site.”

He also understands the art ofdelegation, saying: “I havelearned that you should only dothings you have to do. Delegateeverything else and teach othersto delegate as well.”

Ashley says he is ambitiousfor the business, saying: “I ammotivated by doing things welland learning to do them. I wantto be successful in getting myideas to work and the businessto flourish. I have learned a lot,but I want to learn more.”

■ MILL WORK: Ashley Lindsay, of Lindsays Furniture Mill believescustomer service and motivated staff are key

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KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

RISKYBUSINESSWill Morris

Will Morris is risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd

Writing on the wallover VATTHE writing is on the wall for companiesstill filing paper VAT returns.HM Revenue & Customs is reminding the1,313 VAT-registered businesses inHuddersfield who still file paper VATreturns that all VAT returns must besubmitted online from this spring –meaning paper returns will soon be athing of the past.At present, only newly-registeredbusinesses and those with turnovers ofmore than £100,000 have to submit theirVAT online – as well as pay electronically.Anyone else can send HMRC a paper VATreturn if they wish.But that changes from April when all 1.9mVAT-registered businesses in the UK willhave to submit their VAT returns onlineand pay electronically for accountingperiods beginning on or after April 1, 2012.Every VAT-registered trader not alreadyrequired to submit online will receive aletter from HMRC in February advisingthem of the change and what steps theyneed to take.To submit their VAT returns online,companies need to be registered andenrolled for HMRC’s VAT Online Service.To do this, they should go towww.online.hmrc.gov.uk and click“Register” under the “New user” section,then follow the instructions.After April, HMRC will stop sending outpaper returns to customers who are nowrequired to submit online.For details on the support available visitwww.hmrc.gov.uk or phone the VAT OnlineServices Helpdesk on 0845 010 8500.

Pay attentionto tax mattersKIRKLEESbusinessesmust take stepsto protect theirhard-earnedcash.Nick Brook(pictured), whoruns TaxAssistAccountants inLockwood, said:“Localbusinesses know how tough it isout there and the climate isunlikely to change any time soon.“Anything they can do in 2012 toprotect their hard-earned income –by avoiding penalties from the taxman and claiming everythingthey’re entitled to – is absolutelyvital.”TaxAssist Accountants has puttogether a 2012 top 10 tips forsmall businesses to consider.Advice includes making theire-mail or mobile phone an “earlywarning” diary for tax deadlines;taking advantage of the new 50%tax relief on initial investment ifthey’re director of a start-upcompany; and ensuring theyreceive up to half the minimumwage for the first six months forany new staff, through the newYouth Contract for jobless youngpeople.Employers should also apply foran Employer’s National InsuranceContributions (NICs) holiday;check if they are eligible for up to100% rate relief on their property;and claim tax relief on any lossesif they’re a partnership or soletrader.Bosses should think aboutincorporating their business if theare paying income tax at 40%;reclaim VAT if any of theiremployees use a rate per mile tocalculate business use of theirown car and assess the taximplications of changing theownership of their vehicles.Companies can also claim up to100% tax relief for certain plantand equipment, such as vans andcomputer equipment.Mr Brook added: “Employersshould also try to put aside atleast 25% of any profits for theirtax bill – it always pays to beprepared.”

Director winsnational awardA COMPANY with operations inHuddersfield is celebrating afterone of its directors won a topaward.Lisa Winnard, director of humanresources and development atfinancial services company SesameBankhall Group, was named HRDirector of the Year at the HRDistinction Awards 2012, whichwere held in Birmingham.Sesame Bankhall Group includesSesame Insure, which has offices aHolly Bank Road, Edgerton.

Apprentice impressesA RECRUITMENT company inHuddersfield is leading by examplewhen it comes to promotingapprenticeships.

Chapel Hill-based Stafflex hasrecruited its first apprentice with theappointment of 16-yeear-old AbigailColdwell.

The former Newsome High Schoolpupil attends Kirklees College oneday a week, where she isundertaking an NVQ level 2 inbusiness administration – with theintention of progressing to level 3next year.

Abigail is spending time in eachdepartment at Stafflex, whichemploys 18 staff and supplies

workers including engineers,production managers, receptionists,hair-stylists, project managers, directmarketing consultants and computertechnicians.

Director Paul Balderstone said:“We contacted Kirklees Collegeabout taking on an apprentice andwe interviewed a number of suitableapplicants of a high standard. Weselected Abigail who is now learningall about the tasks involved in therecruitment industry.”

Abigail, who lives at Crosland Moo,said: “I was looking to do anapprenticeship and the more I heardabout the opportunity at Stafflex themore interesting it sounded.”

■ ON COURSE: AbigailColdwell at Stafflex

Support for social entrepreneursA NEW programme has beenlaunched in West Yorkshire tohelp social entrepreneurs honetheir business skills.

The School for SocialEntrepreneurs, with a site inLeeds, and Lloyds Banking Grouphave joined forces to set up afive-year programme to support500 social entrepreneurs across

the UK as they start-up and growsocial and community enterprises.

The scheme, which gets underway in April, will see 100 socialentrepreneurs each year receivesupport from the SSE through itslearning programmes, as well as agrant ranging from £4,000 to£25,000.

The scheme is open to social

entrepreneurs based anywhere inthe UK who are addressing asocial need or problem in theirlocal community or in widersociety.

The SSE has been supportingsocial entrepreneurs since 1997.

To register interest in applyingfor the awards programme contactAlexa Kellow on 0207 0899120.

Making first aidyour top priorityNOW may be a good time to

review many things,including the provision of firstaid in our workplaces.

How many first aiders do weneed? The number and type of thefirst aid staff required will dependon a number of factors. Theseinclude the type of activities in theworkplace, numbers of employeesand the distance from the emer-gency services.

The Health & Safety Executivehas provided an easy to use “FirstAid at Work Assessment Tool”.The level of necessary first aid staffmay vary between weekends andweekdays, depending on the num-ber of staff working.

It should be remembered thatHSE approved training needs tobe refreshed every three years.

It should be someone’s respons-ibility in the business to reviewwhen certificates are due to expireand organise training before thistime.

Remember, a First Aid at Worktrained person will have to re-sitthe three-day course rather thanthe two-day refresher if they missthe expiry date!

Can we administer first aid tothe public? The Health and Safety(First-Aid) Regulations 1981 place

duties on employers regarding firstaid for their employees, but notmembers of the public, potentialcustomers etc.

However, the HSE stronglyrecommends that non-employeesare included in an assessment offirst-aid needs and that provision ismade for them.

Employees giving first aid to anon-employee, in accordance withtheir training as part of their workduties, would be covered by thePublic Liability Insurance policyshould negligence occur.

What else should we be doing? Asuitable number of well-stockedfirst aid kits should always beavailable.

You may need kits in higher risklocations such as workshops inaddition to central points such asreception or the staff kitchen.

It should be someone’s respons-

ibility (possibly one of your firstaiders) to routinely check that thekits are in place, well-stocked andany items that have passed theirexpiry date have been replaced. Aswith all checks, we would recom-mend records are kept.

Having done the good work, youshould tell your employees aboutit.

Display notices on staff notice-boards giving the names of yourtrained employees and where thefirst aid kits are kept.

In the event of an accident, allstaff should know how to react,including contacting the first aid-ers, but also for calling the emer-gency services.

Emergency procedures may alsoinclude meeting the ambulance atthe site entrance to direct themstraight to the casualty.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Simon Kaye is divisional director at Investec Wealth & Investment

CITYTALKSimon Kaye

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Search launchedto find the bestNEW categorieshave beenannounced for the2012 Asian Womenof AchievementAwards.The search is on tofind Britain’s mostinspirational Asianwomen in the areasof enterprise andbusiness, sport, thepublic sector, culture, humanitarianismand politics.The awards are founded and chaired byIndia-born author and entrepreneurPinky Lilani. Last year’s event wasattended by guests including HomeSecretary Theresa May and entrepreneurJames Caan (pictured).Pinky Lilani said: “The Asian Women ofAchievement Awards were created toidentify and reward the extraordinaryAsian women who play a crucial role inenriching every corner of our society.“Asian women living in Britain todaymust feel empowered to believe that theytoo can make an impact on multiculturallife. These awards truly highlight theincredible achievements made by thefemale pioneers who are shaping andevolving our society for the better.”The closing date for entries is March 2,2012. The awards take place on May 16,2012, at the London Hilton Park Lane.For information on how to enter, go toawa.realbusiness.co.uk

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Tap into expertiseKIRKLEES companiescould get big benefits froma regional initiative.

Huddersfield University isone of six Yorkshireuniversities to offer freeaccess to the expertiseavailable at their“nanofactory” to helpcompanies develop newproducts or processes.

Nanofactory, which bringstogether scientists andengineers fromHuddersfield, Bradford,Leeds, Sheffield, SheffieldHallam, and Yorkuniversities, is offering localcompanies the opportunityto Take a Tech Check!

Companies with technicalchallenges are being

offered free advice to givetheir products an edgethrough introducing newtechnologies, such asnanotechnology.

“In the current economicclimate, many companiesare looking to introducenew products to remaincompetitive, especiallycompared with foreignfirms”, said nanofactorydirector Prof Simon Biggs.

“We are really looking towork in partnership with ourlocal companies to developnew R&D and to get newtechnologies out of theregion’s universities andinto production in our localcompanies.”

With spending on R&D by

Yorkshire firms three timeslower than the nationalaverage, the free supportaims to boost the region’seconomy by creating newopportunities for companiesthat will help create andsafeguard jobs.

“In the last three years,more than 60,000manufacturing jobs havebeen lost in Yorkshire”, saidProf Biggs.

“We want to helpcompanies develop newopportunities to help rebuildthe local economy.”

Contact Sean Kelly oninfo@nanofactory.org.uk or0113 343 2402 or go towww.nanofactory.org.uk.

Bankmoves fastto tacklecrisisSINCE the beginning of December,

financial markets have been exhib-iting much more healthy vital signs.

These are most obvious in global equityprices, which have clawed back half theground lost from the highs of 2011.

There are two reasons for this improve-ment. Firstly America, the world’s largesteconomy, continues to demonstrate greatresilience. Employment trends are improv-ing and housing is no longer a deepeningblack hole in the credit creation system,undermining any progress.

Developments in Europe which havereduced the perception of the immediatesystemic risk have, however, been the key.

Foremost among these have been greatsteps forward at the European Central Bank(ECB), where Jean-Claude Trichet’s suc-cessor Mario Draghi has moved quickly todeploy its firepower in reducing the temper-ature of the fevered debt markets.

This has been done both by reducingpolicy interest rates, but more importantlyby getting the ECB to fully assume itsproper role as lender of last resort to theEuropean banking system through a pro-gramme of almost unlimited liquidity provi-sion known as the LTRO (short for LongTerm Refinancing Operations) pro-gramme.

Under the scheme, the ECB in Decemberagreed to lend money for three years (innormal times, the ECB only provides veryshort-term liquidity) to banks against a verywide range of collateral, thereby removingthe risk that they are forced to contract theirbalance sheets (prematurely call-in loans) ifthey feel nervous about securing funding intoday’s unfriendly markets.

The ECB has thus almost eliminated thenear- ter m risk of an involuntary

credit-crunch turning the already inevitablerecession in Europe into a depression.

Aside from inoculating the systemagainst the knock-on effects of the Sover-eign Debt crisis, the LTRO mechanism cansupport sovereign government bond prices.This occurs indirectly by underpinninggrowth which reduces fiscal budget deficitsand future bond issuance, more directly byencouraging a profitable “carry trade” forthe banks (increasing demand).

The opportunity for a carry trade arisesbecause banks can decide to use the LTROprogramme to borrow more money thanthey need for current funding at very lowinterest rates from the ECB. This money canthen be invested in government bonds yield-ing higher interest rates – the differencebeing a profit. The amount of potentialdemand that could be created for (currentlystressed) sovereign bonds by successiveLTRO programs should not be underestim-ated.

There is, of course, another elementnecessary for the successful operation ofthis virtuous circle. Banks may be able toraise liquidity to buy sovereign debt, butthey (and others) will only do so if theybelieve it will not default.

Politicians must now use the time that theECB (through the LTRO) has bought themto secure the future of the euro. This must bedone with sensible, but legally enforceablerules for fiscal discipline (tighter integra-tion) implemented on a timescale that doesnot crush the hopes of electorates in stressed

nations that they might see rewards for theirausterity in a reasonable time frame. Greeceis currently a test case as to whether thelimits of patience there have been reached.

Politicians’ success in convincing themarkets that progress is being made will bereflected in banks’ use of LTRO funds topurchase Sovereign Debt. They did not doso with the first tranche of funding, whichwas deposited back with the ECB as aliquidity buffer, but a large take up of theLTRO facility at the end of February will bea sign that banks intend to play the“carry-trade” and hence also a sign of theirconfidence in the system (one of the fewoccasions where more borrowing would besign of greater health!).

Thus it will also be a more meaningfulreading of the ability of this programme tostimulate repair, rather than just shore updamage.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

Good for businessand young people

THE 2012 National Apprenticeship Week isunderway with events taking place all thisweek to raise awareness both among

businesses and young people.The event, which runs all this week Monday to Friday, ishoping to build on the success of previous events and be evenbigger and better this year.The week aims to raise the profile of apprenticeships amongemployers, individuals, teachers and parents.Kirklees Council is organising various events during the weekincluding a Back to the Floor event where senior councilmanagers shadow apprentices, an information stand atHuddersfield’s indoor market and promotion of the businessbenefits of taking on an apprentice.● Kirklees College, one of the largest colleges in the country,is launching its new Apprenticeship in Retail initiative onMonday March 5. The free advisory event will be held at the

Galpharm Stadium from 4pm.Local entrepreneur and sales expertNicky Pattinson will kick off theevent which will help retail businesswithin the local region developtheir customer base and growprofits.All retailers are welcome to attendthe free skills and business advisoryevent.Kirklees College works extensivelywith local businesses to create new,tailor made retail apprenticeshipsand organises work-based trainingprogrammes for retail manager andtheir personnel.● The National Business College,based in Greenhead Road,Huddersfield, is a firm believer inapprenticeships and work basedtraining.The college was established in 1983as a private organisationspecialising in business relatedsubjects and informationtechnology. NBC constantly worksto engage companies from a widearea and match young people toemployers.Take a look at the website whichregularly has positions advertised

for apprenticeship opportunitieswith a wide range of businesses.● CMS Vocational Training offersa wide range of training andcoaching opportunities for youngpeople and adults across WestYorkshire.It works closely with employers toimprove skills, raise standards andimprove productivity in theworkplace.CMS caters for learners inHuddersfield, Batley, Halifax andWakefield and offers a variety oftraining programmes.It offers help and advise to localparents looking for information fortheir children, and also helps localemployers identify the right recruitsfor the jobs they have available andensure they have the right attitudes,skills and knowledge for theposition in question.CMS want all their learners to dowell and will do everything theycan to help with an individualtrainer to help young peopleachieve their personal goals.

■ APPRENTICE: Enter the worldof work with an apprenticeship

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 6

Ferno takes the weightJanuary sales recordA COMPANY makingcamper vans has postedpositive sales figures.Despite the tougheconomic climate,Shepley-based WellhouseLeisure has reported a50% increase in salesduring January.Managing director DavidElliott (pictured) said:“January is normally agood month for usanyway, selling 12 to 14campers. This time, wehad a target of 16 but havesold 23, including 11 newones. The total sales valueis £625,000 – that’s 50%up on January, 2011.“We also see that people

seem to have a morepositive optimistic outlookcompared to the end of lastyear. I don't think there isan issue with peoplewanting to spend money,they are just being morecautious as to how theyspend it.”

■ VAN MAN: David Elliott,MD of Wellhouse Leisure

A FIRM making medical equipment forthe emergency services has reported a bigrise in demand for special equipment tocope with the UK’s growing obesity prob-lem.

Cleckheaton-based Ferno (UK) Ltd hasdeveloped a range of products, includingambulance trolleys, wheelchairs, evacu-ation chairs and hospital trolleys specific-ally designed for bariatric patients.

The term “bariatric” refers to the popu-lation of obese patients who require spe-c ia l i s t medica l intervent ion andequipment.

Managing director Jon Ellis said: “Therise in obesity in the UK population hasrequired Ferno, over a number of years, todesign, develop and manufacture a rangeof specialist medical equipment to treat

the nation’s bariatric condition andprovide the medical profession with asolution to what is a growing problem.

“This is right across the board – fromequipment in hospitals to the trolley orwheelchair in the back of an ambulance.

“Ambulance trusts have had to investsignificant amounts in bariatric ambu-lances in recent years and hospitals areincreasing the number of extra-wide, rein-forced beds as the demands of largerpatients put greater pressure on the systemand its staff.”

Research by the National Patient SafetyAgency shows that nearly a quarter ofadults and one in seven children are nowestimated to be clinically obese – someonewith a body mass index of 30 or over – withthe cost to the health service topping £4bn

a year.The problems facing the NHS were

illustrated by a report that some hospitalsare asking zoos and vets to scan patientswho are too obese to fit into hospitalscanners. The Royal Veterinary Collegesaid its CT scanners, customised forhorses, could accommodate patientsweighing 30 stone.

Mr Ellis said: “The larger bariatricequipment we have designed anddeveloped allows a smooth, dignifiedapproach to dealing with larger patientsand we have had really positive feedbackfrom patients and medical professionals.However, with obesity levels in the UKexpected to rise further, we expect to seefurther demand for our products.

TO PROMOTE YOURCOMPANY IN KIRKLEES

BUSINESS NEWScontact Anne Joseph

Tel: 01484 437745E: anne.joseph@trinitymirror.com

OVER ONE MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE ARE JOBLESS

THIS IS ONE TIME YOU DON’T WANT TO BE ONE IN A MILLION

Full time jobs with anApprenticeship throughout Kirkleesand Calderdale are available NOW!

Earn while you learn

Business Administration &Customer Service Apprenticeships

available.

Minimum starting pay of £104 perweek

www.nationalbusinesscollege.co.ukrecruitment@nationalbusinesscollege.co.uk

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tel: 0800 781 3020,email: bdtu@kirkleescollege.ac.ukor web: www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/employers

Things are

LOOKING UPEmploy an apprenticethrough Kirklees College

There are many reasons to employ an apprenticeincluding to:• gain skilled, qualified an loyal staff in a cost-effective way,• ensure your staff have the most up-to-date training

relevant to your business,• make your business more competitive by addressing skills

shortages, and• enhance the performance and reputation of your business.

National Apprenticeship WeekMonday 6 to Friday 10 February, 2012

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property Page 7KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSFalling values hit the sectorTHE total value of commercialproperty investmenttransactions across Yorkshirefell in the final quarter of 2011,latest figures have revealed.Research by commercialproperty firm Lambert SmithHampton showed the value ofdeals in the region totalled£54.8m for the three months toDecember against £306.5m forthe previous quarter. However,the figure is still above the£34.8m logged for the finalquarter of 2010.Across the region, £731.8m of

transactions were recordedduring the whole of 2011 – thelowest figure in five years and a32% decrease from 2010’sfigure of £1.08bn.Major deals during the fourthquarter included the £30mpurchase of Leodis StudentResidences in Leeds byRockspring PIM Ltd, PrimaryHealth Properties' acquisition ofWeelsby View Medical Centre inGrimsby for £7.9m and anunnamed investor’s acquisitionof Beeston Royds IndustrialEstate for £5m.

Flooding threat facesthousands of premisesBUSINESSES could be left at risk offlooding as public sector spending cutslead to the postponing of multi-millionpound defence schemes aimed at pro-tecting thousands of homes and com-mercial premises, it is claimed.

The warning comes from BluefinInsurance Services, which has offices atCleckheaton, as the latest ClimateChange Risk Assessment from theDepartment of Energy, Food andRural Affairs identified flooding asone of the top 100 threats Britain willface in the coming years if nothing isdone to prevent further damage.

The report has identified that thecost of flooding in the UK could risefrom its current levels of £1.2bn a yearto £12bn over the next 70 years.

Despite its earlier commitment toprotect funding for flood and coastaldefence schemes, the Government hasconfirmed there will be insufficientfunds to continue with all plannedschemes – leaving thousands of homesand businesses across the countryunprotected.

Bluefin spokesman Philip Jacksonsaid: “The problem facing homeown-ers and small businesses is the impend-ing loss of Government protection for

areas which are at the highest risk offlooding which are currently guaran-teed to be granted insurance undermeasures introduced after nationwideflooding in 2007.

“Under the Statement of Principles

agreed between the Government andthe Association of British Insurers,insurers are committed to continuecovering properties and small busi-nesses at significant risk of flooding.However, this protection is due tocome to an end next year, potentiallyleaving businesses unable to get insur-ance cover for their premises.

“As a consequence of Governmentcuts, around 200,000 homes could be ina situation where their insurers will notbe under any obligation to offer floodcover, which could potentially result inproperty owners facing potentially sig-nificant uninsured damage, problemswith lenders and a fall in propertyprices.”

Said Mr Jackson: “According to theEnvironment Agency, over 5m peoplein England and Wales live and work inproperties that are at risk of floodingfrom swollen rivers or the sea.

“Without appropriate governmentprotection home owners and smallbusinesses may find themselves unableto secure the required cover for therisks they face adding additional pres-sure on families and businesses whichare already stretched due to the currenteconomic uncertainty.”

■ RISING DAMP: Businesses needto make sure they’re well covered

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Brighouse Trade Park,Armytage Road, Brighouse7,349 – 16,815 sq ft

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Kate Howe

Knight FrankPROPERTY consultancy Knight Frankhas strengthened its retail team in WestYorkshire with the appointment of KateHowe as a senior retail surveyor.

Ms Howe graduated from EdinburghUniversity with a degree in biology andlater from Northumbria University with adegree in real estate management.

She has now joined the team workingalongside Knight Frank partner AlexMunro, covering the West Yorkshireretail markets and beyond.

Ms Howe joins Knight Frank from theManchester-based Northhold Group.She has also worked for DTZ inScotland and Savills in Manchester.

Fletcher Adamowicz

GrantThorntonBUSINESS advice firm Grant Thorntonhas appointed Fletcher Adamowicz assenior manager of its tax team in WestYorkshire.

Mr Adamowicz began his career withErnst & Young where he spent eightyears working in its mid-market andprivate client teams. He specialises inproviding advice to corporates,management teams and shareholdersof fast growing owner-managed andprivate equity-backed businesses.

Richard Giles & Justin Donn

PwCACCOUNTANCY firmPricewaterhouseCoopershas strengthened itsYorkshire pensionsadvisory practice with theappointment of RichardGiles (right, top) asdirector and Justin Donn(below) as manager.

Mr Giles specialises inadvising companies onfinancing and riskmanagement of definedbenefits liabilities anddesigning future pensionarrangements. Beforejoining PwC in 2008, heworked for 17 years inLeeds. He is a fellow atthe Institute of Actuariesand has a degree inmathematics fromManchester University and an MBA fromBradford University.

Sheffield-born Mr Donn joins the WestYorkshire team from London, where heworked for 11 years. He specialises inadvising companies on liability management,scheme funding negotiations, schemeclosures and benefit redesign. He has a firstclass degree in mathematics fromManchester University and is an associate ofthe Institute of Actuaries.

Motivational moment

BUSINESSWOMAN and authorAnnaliese Morgan is set to give apep-talk to other buddingentrepreneurs.

Annaliese, who runs Fuchsia PetHealth Spa in Brighouse, is the mainspeaker at an inspirational eventcalled Get YOUR Version of Having itAll.

The event, to be held at 6pm onThursday, February 16, at thePennine Manor Hotel, Scapegoat Hill,also features Stuart Baldwin, ofPositive Performance Ltd, and CapitalFM DJ Simon Hirst. There will also be

time for networking and refreshments.Annaliese, who is well-known as

the author of Desperate House Pets,said: “This event will bring togetherlocal businesses and showcasepersonal stories in what should be amotivating evening.”

The mother-of-two left behind acareer as a veterinary nurse to openher animal health spa. She wonbacking for her venture fromAustralian entrepreneur JonathanPfahl and is now planning forexpansion.

Go to www.annaliesemorgan.com.

■ BY THE BOOK: Author and businesswoman Annaliese Morgan

Paul France, Damian Douglas &Peter Spedding

KOSO KentIntrolBRIGHOUSE-based valves firm KOSO KentIntrol has made three key appointments.

Paul France (above left) is the newworkshop engineer with KKI’s servicedepartment. He has extensive experience inmanufacturing and previously worked for 22years as a fitter at KKI. He also worked atJH Smith Engineering for seven years and atMRC Transmark for more than 13 years.

Damian Dugdale (centre) starts at KKI asan expeditor responsible for managingsupplier purchase orders and expeditingorders for spare parts. He previouslymanaged purchasing and expeditingprocesses at Edmund Bell Fabrics and wasresponsible transport planning and stockcontrol for the Clipper Group.

Peter Spedding (right) joins the companyas computer numerical control operator. Hehas more than 30 years’ experience inmanufacturing, having spent 17 years as amanufacturing technician for LucasAerospace, 10 years at Weir Valves and fouryears at Valvetek Machining Ltd.

KKI sales director David Limb said: “Weare pleased to continue to createemployment in Yorkshire, particularly duringa time when confidence in the region’smanufacturing sector is low.

“The three new employees have a wealthof manufacturing experience and will proveto be valuable assets to KKI.”

Shop talk that’sworth a listen!RETAILERS will find out about a newapprenticeship for the industry – and get afew pointers to future success at an event inHuddersfield.

Internationally renowned business guruNicky Pattinson will be the key speakerwhen Kirklees College stages its Retailer inKirklees event at 4pm on Monday, March5, at the Galpharm Stadium.

The initiative aims to help local retailersdevelop better customer service andincrease their profits. The event will alsosee the launch of the college’s new appren-ticeship in retail.

All retailers of any size from across theregion are invited to attend the free skillsand business advisory event at the sta-dium.

Kirklees College has worked extensivelywith local business to create its retailapprenticeships and work-based trainingprogrammes for retail managers and theircustomer service personnel.

Nikki Davis, head of business and pro-fessional studies at the college, said: “Wehave been working alongside local busi-nesses to gain an understanding of retailerissues and we’ve identified a number of keyareas that we can help with at the Retailerin Kirklees event.

“This is an advisory evening giving localbusiness people the opportunity to askspecialists about a number of importantissues.

“It’s also an ideal opportunity for thecollege to launch its new apprenticeshipprogramme and let local retailers know allabout the benefits of a retail-specificapprenticeship.”

A specialist panel of experts will offerpractical advice in areas including the

importance of customer service to increasesales; human resource strategies; recruitingand retaining quality staff; training anddeveloping; planning for sustainability andgrowth; and use of social media.

Phone 01484 427000 or go towww.kirkleescollege.ac.uk

■ WORK SHOP: Nikki Davis (left), head of business and professional studies atKirklees College, with business tutors Karon Szlachcic (centre) and Christine Ward,who will be running the Retailer in Kirklees event in March