Kirklees Business News 15/01/13

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees15, Januar y, 2013

INSIDE

● Full story - Page 8

● Full story - Page 4

Let ’s get i t onl ine !Co lumn - Page 5

An EXAMINER publication

SportinggreatsA HUDDERSFIELDcompany helped keepguests well-fed at oneof the biggestcelebrations in theworld of sport. AREvents Ltd, based atRailway Street in thetown centre andheaded by directorsAndrew Roebuck andCharles Webb, wasappointed “nominatedagency” responsiblefor sales of corporatehospitality packagesfor BBC SportsPersonality of the Year,which was held atLondon’s ExCel Arena.

All changeA TRAINING anddevelopment group isjoining forces withHuddersfield Town toinspire businesses bygiving them team talks– in the club’s homechanging room.

ANDREW FIRTH

exam

iner

.co.

uk Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

FTSE 100-13 .726107.86

NEIL WILSON

Co lumn - Page 4

Company sets itssights even higher

Things just aren’t fair!

BOSSES at a Holme Valley manufac-turing firm have set a seven-figureturnover target for the new year – aftera busy end to 2012.

Allsops Ltd aims to boost revenuesby a further £1m during 2013 as part ofits “clear strategic vision” to be thebest sheet metal working business inthe UK.

Sales and marketing director RobertMachon said: “The strategy relies onidentifying new market opportunitiesin industries such as pharmaceuticals,defence and marine.

“We are focused on acquiring newcustomers whilst also retaining ourexisting 700-strong customer base. Wehave a strong customer service cultureand focus heavily on building repeatbusiness.”

Mr Machon said: “Our growthstrategy has included a period of rapidexpansion of our Honley site andinvestment in new machinery. We con-tinue to recruit the best people for our

business and offer an apprenticeshipprogramme giving us access to theAllsops leaders of the future.”

Paul Goodwin, managing director,is supported by a leadership teamcomprising Ian Johnons as financedirector, Stephane Lericolais, as tech-nical director, Lyndon Tyas as produc-tion director and Mr Machon – who isspearheading the roll-out of the newsales and marketing strategy, whichincludes a new website, brochure ande-marketing.

The company embarks on its newstrategy having completed a raft ofcontracts for high-profile clients,including BT and the Ministry ofDefence.

Allsops was asked to refit the datacentre at BT's global innovation anddevelopment centre in Ipswich. Thecentre at Adastral Park is recognisedas one of the leading centres of tech-nical innovation in the communicationworld.

The brief was to create a cold aislecontainment system. The system con-tains servers which need to be keptcool at all times. BT needed new unitsthat would keep the back of the serverscool while keeping the front of theunits at room temperature.

Mr Machon said: “We performed afull site survey, designed a prototypeand built a custom modular systemwhich was fitted at the site. The newcold aisle containment system has sur-passed their expectations and allowedBT to save a great deal of energy andmoney.”

Among other recent contracts, All-sops was asked to help develop futur-istic display cabinets for a showcase ofthe work of the Helen Hamlyn Centreat the Royal College of Art.

Allsops also won the contract toproduce four naval landing pontoonsfor the MOD – taking precision sheetmetal applications to new heights.

The main pontoon fabricationsweigh in at 45 tonnes each – with atonne of paint required to coat thecombined length of the 65 metres by 6metre structure.

Said Mr Machon: “This contracthas been a wonderful challenge for theAllsops workforce, enabling them toapply a wealth of their sheet metalexperience and knowledge in a newuncharted working arena.”

The MoD requested the pontoonsbe fabricated to aid the loading of itssurface fleet in one of its naval dock-yards. Due to the shallow depths ofwater, large vessels are unable to berth,so the pontoons will allow smallernaval vessels to load up and replenishthe large ships at sea.

Allsops is one of the UK’s leadingsheet metal workers in the UK, operat-ing from 84,000sq ft premises at Hon-

ley.The company, launched in 1959 by

Bob Allsop, was a traditional sheetmetal subcontractor until the early1990s when the firm embarked on aperiod of rapid expansion under man-aging director Mr Goodwin.

Allsops, which employs 130 people,now works with industries as diverse asdefence, travel, retail, energy, commu-nications and manufacturing to pro-duce items including shop shelving,signs, lighting, point-of-sale equip-ment, cabinets and kiosks.

■ ON TRACK:Chris Davison,of Allsops, withyoungsters atHolmbridgePre-School,treasurerSamanthaClegg,managerEmmaTownend,deputymanager KarenShort and ametal trainmade for freeby the firm

■ COOL CONTRACT: Allsops Ltdwas asked to refit the data centre atBT’s global innovation anddevelopment centre – one of a stringof orders completed by the Honleyfirm during 2012, which the companybelieves will provide a springboard forfurther success this year

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national

SHARE PRICES

closed at

Local shares

FTSE

6107.86Down 13.72

closed at

UK manufacturers arebeing urged to get togrips with a EuropeanDirective restricting orbanning certainhazardous substances –or face the prospect ofunlimited fines or evenprison through a failure tocomply.

The call was made byEEF, the manufacturers’organisation, after asurvey showed a“worryingly low”awareness of theREACH (Registration,Evaluation andAuthorisation ofChemicals) regulations.

The regulations aregradually restricting theuse of hazardouschemicals in certainareas or implementingwidespread bans,including substanceswhich have beencommonly used inmanufacturing processesfor many years undercontrolled conditions.The EEF said: “This hasmajor implications for allcompanies – fromrequirements for workersafety to controls on howsubstances are used,through to the need topotentially modifyprocesses and substituteother materials.

“There are also majorimplications forcompanies in the supplychain who must be in aposition to advise theircustomers if suchsubstances are presentin the products they sell.”

Firms have six monthsto make themselvesaware of the implicationsof the next majordeadline for registrationof chemicals in June,2013. EEF said this couldsee certain substancesbeing withdrawn from themarket.

GREENE King has toasted recordChristmas Day takings after morefamilies chose to eat out on the bigday.

The group behind pub and res-taurant brands Hungry Horse andLoch Fyne, sold 448,000 Christmasmeals during December, with tak-ings up by 6.8% to £2.7m on Decem-ber 25 – after setting a record lastyear.

It opened 85% of its managedpubs, restaurants and hotels onChristmas Day, helping it deliver a2.8% jump in like-for-like sales in thesix weeks to January 6.

It came up against strong compar-atives after sales grew by 8% in thesame period last year.

Chief executive Rooney Anandsaid: “Pubs continue to play a vitalrole for customers, families andcommunities across the UK duringthe festive period, especially in thisdifficult financial environment.”

But he warned that he did notexpect conditions for consumers toimprove in 2013.

The group, which has 2,300 pubs,restaurants and hotels, said its retailbusiness lifted like-for-like sales by3.7% in the 36 weeks to January 6.

Smart look boostsmenswear retailer

Festive record for Greene King

Ready forREACH?

UK companies are using asset financeto support more investment in theplant and machinery, vehicles and ITequipment they need to stimulategrowth.

Figures from the Finance & Leas-ing Association show a large increasein finance for plant and machineryand – continuing a long-term trend – asignificant increase in finance for ITequipment.

Finance leasing and hire purchaseremain popular choices with busi-nesses, growing by 9% and 12%respectively in the 11-month period to

November 2012.Geraldine Kilkelly, head of

research and chief economist at theFinance & Leasing Association said:“The figures show growth in financefor key asset sectors as companiesinvest in the tools they need to growtheir businesses. IT equipment fin-ance showed the highest growth inNovember, leading to new businessgrowth in this market of 25% in the 11months to November 2012.”

In 2011, FLA members provided£20.9bn of finance to businesses andthe public sector.

Turning to asset finance

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.45 dollarsBangladesh................. 121.22 takaBrazil.............................. 2.92 realsCanada....................... 1.51 dollarsChina ............................. 8.96 yuanCzech Republic ...... 28.41 korunasDenmark....................... 8.56 kroneEuro............................... 1.15 euroHong Kong................ 11.86 dollarsHungary ................... 321.02 forintsIndia.......................... 77.49 rupeesJapan........................... 137.21 yenMexico ....................... 18.16 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.79 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.48 kronePakistan.................. 147.79 rupeesPhilippines ................. 56.14 pesosSouth Africa ................. 13.19 randSouth Korea.............. 1484.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 192.09 rupeesSweden......................... 9.95 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.40 francsTaiwan ...................... 40.78 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.70 new liraUSA ............................ 1.54 dollars

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £37.94 -0.14Gannett 1181.87 +3.94Hess Corp £35.14 +0.16Microsoft 1668.95 +0.31Motors Liquidation 46.64Wal-Mart Stores £42.52 -0.16

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 404 -6BAE Systems 3485/8 -11/8Rolls-Royce 898 +71/2

AIMBrady Plc 94

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2411/8 +13/4

BANKSBarclays 2987/8 -3/4HSBC 6753/4 -17/8Lloyds Banking Gp 547/8 +7/8Ryl Scotland 3641/2 +41/8Stan Chart 1683 +21/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1788 -1/2SABMiller £291/8 -1/8

CHEMICALSCroda £23 -1/8Elementis 98 226 -13/4Johnsn Mat £223/8 -1/8

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2891/8 -7/8Costain 254 -61/2

ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 5601/2 -2SSE 1436 -14

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 2341/2 -51/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3921/4 +17/8

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 2431/4 -23/4Cable & WirelessComm

373/4 -15/8

Colt Group 1033/8 -1/8KCOM 751/2 +1/4Talktalk Telecom 240 +1/2

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 252 -1/2Sainsbury 3255/8 +15/8Tesco 3511/4 -2

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1500 -30Tate Lyle 759 -10Unilever £233/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3327/8 -3National Grid 6871/2 +1/2Pennon Grp 6501/2 +11/2Severn 1550 -23United Utils 685 -10

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2411/2 -1/2ICAP 3231/2 +3London StockExch 1143 -13Man Group 931/8 +3/8Provident Financial 1404 -7

Schroders 1868 +49Schroders NV 1476 +26

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSREXAM 4571/4 -25/8Smiths Grp 1218 +5

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 29 +1/4Carphone Whse 220 +1/4Dixons Retail 28 +1/4Home Retail 123 -3/4Inchcape 4493/8 +11/2Kingfisher 2867/8 +17/8M & S 3671/4 -51/4Mothercare 3151/2 +21/2Next £395/8 -3/8WH Smith 620 -5

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6911/2 +5

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 831/4 +1/4Barrat Dev 2251/8 -21/4Persimmon 863 -71/2Reckitt Benckiser £391/2 -1/2Taylor Wimpey 73 -11/4

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGI M I 1117 -13

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 2673/8 -8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 2211/4 -23/4

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3763/4 -31/4

Lgl & Gen 1493/4 -11/4Old Mutual 1851/4 +1/8Prudential 926 +41/2Resolution 2665/8 +53/4Standard Life 3523/4 -1/4

MEDIABSkyB 775 -51/2D Mail Tst 5821/2 +3HIBU 3/8ITV 1113/4 +13/4Johnston Press 12 -1/2Pearson 1182 -17Reed Elsevier 659 -1STV Group 1201/2Trinity Mirror 100 +11/4Utd Business 709 -31/2UTV 1353/4 +23/4WPP 945 +51/2

MININGAnglo American £203/8Antofagasta 1297 -6BHP Billiton £203/4Eurasian NaturalRes

334 +113/8

Fresnillo 1749 +6Kazakhmys 7851/2 -23Lonmin 3325/8 +135/8Rio Tinto £343/4VEDANTARESOURCES

1201 -9

Xstrata 1175 -1/2MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 6171/2 -21/2Vodafone Group 1637/8 -13/8

NONLIFE INSURANCE

Admiral Grp 1183 -9RSA Insurance Gp 1261/2 -11/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1048 -51/2BP 4591/4 -25/8Cairn Energy 2813/4 -7/8Royal Dutch Shell A £211/2Royal Dutch Shell B £221/8Total £327/8 +1/8Tullow Oil 1172 -14

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1081 -4Petrofac 1696 +18Wood Gp(J) 7831/2 -171/2

PERSONAL GOODS

Burberry Gp 1325 +20

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGYAstrazeneca £301/4 +1/8GlaxoSmithK 10Shire £203/8 +1/8

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 567 -21/2Captl Shop Cent 3643/4 -11/4Hamrsn 486 +3/4Land Secs 827 -41/2SEGRO 2455/8 +3/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 3515/8 +8Sage Group 310 -35/8

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 616 -31/2Bunzl 1064 +4Capita 7791/2 +5De La Rue 929 +2Electrocomp 2421/2 -33/8Experian 1027 -3G4S 2701/4 +25/8Hays 901/2 -1/4Homeserve 243 -2Menzies J 635 +2Rentokil 911/4 +1/4Smiths News 151 -8Wolseley £303/8

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 873 +3Spirent Comms 1491/4 -63/4

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £313/8

Imperial Tobacco £243/4 +1/4

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 1081/8 -11/8Carnival £241/2 +1/4Compass Grp 7451/2 -2easyJet 845 -3Enterprise Inns 995/8 -1/2FirstGroup 1927/8 -21/4Go-Ahead Gp 1290 -2Greene King 651 +21/2Intercontl Htls 1768 -6Intl Cons Airl 2103/8 +23/4Ladbrokes 2021/4 -3/4Mitchells & Butlers 3155/8 -41/8Natl Express 2137/8 -31/2Rank Org 1461/2 -11/2Stagecoach Group 2983/4 -43/4TUI Travel 2821/4 -3/4Whitbread £241/8 -1/2

INDEXFTSE 100 6107.86 -13.72

INDEXFTSE 250 12759.14 -38.69

Carclo 4833/4 +63/4Marshalls 105 -11/4National Grid 6871/2 +1/2Weir Gp 1936 -5

MENSWEAR retailer MossBros has repor t ed be t-ter-than-expected Christmastrading – after seeing youngercustomers smarten up for theparty season.

A trend towards black-tieoutfits, as seen on talent showX-Factor, has benefited thechain, which saw like-for-likesales grow by 2.7% in the 24weeks to January 12.

Its shares have doubled inthe past year and closed up5.5p to 72p or 8% yesterdayafter the company said profitsfor the year to the end ofJanuary were now expected toexceed City forecasts.

Moss, which has a store atNew Street in Huddersfield,has also benefited from carefulmanagement of discounts overChristmas and tight control ofcosts.

Chief executive Brian Brick

highlighted particularly strongdemand from younger cus-tomers, who are buying moredress wear outfits in order tokeep up with changing fash-ions in music culture.

“We are definitely benefitingfrom bands dressing smarter,”he noted.

Mr Brick said: “We aree n c o u r ag e d by t r a d i n gthroughout the business overthe key Christmas tradingperiod

“Close control over dis-counting to clear stocks,coupled with continued strongcost management, means wewill finish 2012/13 ahead ofexpectations.

“We remain conscious of thefragile trading environmentbut continue to rigorouslyimplement our strategic planto turnaround and grow thebusiness.”

Cheaper raw materials havealso alleviated pressure on thegroup, which is part waythrough a strategic plan toturnaround and grow the busi-ness.

The upbeat outlook goesagainst the trend of high streetretailers struggling to keep

afloat under difficult eco-nomic conditions, with cameraspecialist Jessops the firstmajor brand to collapse in2013.

To help tempt hard-pressedconsumers, Moss expects torefit a further 25 stores thisyear under a five-year plan

that will see it transform 90 ofits 136 outlets.

Plans to focus more on itscore business saw the companysell its Cecil Gee and HugoBoss stores in 2011.

Fol lowing the tradingupdate, Seymour PierceResearch analyst FreddieGeorge raised the company’sfull-year pre-tax profit fore-cast to £2m from £1.8m.

Moss is a leading formalmenswear specialist sellingmen’s suits, shirts, coats,formal and casual jackets, ties,shoes and accessories includ-ing cufflinks, socks, under-w e a r, u m b r e l l a s , a n dhandkerchiefs.

Moss has more than 135retail stores, including two inEire and an internet site.

Moss Bros is due to postfull-year results on March 22.

■ FASHIONABLE: Black-tie trend is a winner for Moss Bros

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile

DavidHeathcote-Smith

PackhorseShoppingCentre

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Centre managerAge: 45Family: Married to Donnawith daughters Danielle, 24,and Rebecca, 22Car: Suzuki Vitara SportHolidays: Greece, Indiaand the CaribbeanFirst job: Saturday jobsetting up and dismantlingstalls at Leicester marketBest thing about job:Solving problems and thefact that every day is differ-entWorst thing about job:When a retailer closes. I getto know the tenants person-ally and it is very sad whenthings don’t work outBusiness tip: Don’t giveup. We have all felt likesticking our heads in thesand, but we should carryon “chipping away”!

Work: RetailSite: HuddersfieldPhone: 01484 533898Email: [email protected]: www.packhorse-shoppingcentre.co.uk

ShoptalkwithDavid

■ CENTRE POINT: David Heathcote-Smith says every day isdifferent at Huddersfield’s Packhorse Centre

THESE are testing time for towncentre retailers.

So it may seem surprising thatDavid Heathcote-Smith, managerof Huddersfield’s PackhorseShopping Centre is lookingforward to 2013 with some relish.

It’s going to be a busy year forDavid and his team – with a raft ofinitiatives in the pipeline toreinvigorate what wasHuddersfield’s first moderncovered shopping centre when itopened its doors in 1971.

Centre owners New RiverRetail and Morgan Stanley areinvesting money and time intomaking “substantialimprovements” to the mall – withthe launch of a new logo, possiblealterations to the entrances and aparticular emphasis on attractingindependent retailers to its vacantunits.

The centre is strengthening itscommunity links withorganisations such asHuddersfield University, KirkleesCollege, Huddersfield Giants andthe Media Centre.

It also aims to work with otherretail interests in the town centreto widen Huddersfield’s appeal toshoppers.

Electric doors and improvedlighting have been installed in thecentre while vacant space hasbeen transformed into a galleryrun by charity Support toRecovery to sell artwork andcrafts from paintings to jewellery,sculptures to candles – mostly thework of local people.

Panels have been put in placefeaturing facts and images ofHuddersfield and the centre itselfplans to open a “shop” toshowcase new ideas that couldbe incorporated into the complex.

The centre is working withcollege and university students onvarious projects.

And as part of efforts to makeshopping more of “an event”, localmusicians and actors are beingencouraged to help provideentertainment.

David views these initiativeswith evident enthusiasm. And herealises there’s much at stake.

The changes come against abackdrop of difficult times forretailing in general.

“It isn’t good for retailing at themoment,” he says.

“In some ways, retailers arehaving to ‘re-learn’ how to retailbecause there is so muchcompetition from online shopping.

“It has to be all about thecustomer experience. Stores arehaving to go back to basics.”

But he is confident that thestrategy is the right one.

“New River Retail is a verysupportive landlord and isprepared to commit capitalexpenditure,” he says.

“The Packhorse Centre is atthe retail hub of the town and aswell as being a shopping locationprovides a link between otherparts of the town.”

David has a wealth of retailingexperience to call upon. As astudent, his Saturday job wassetting up and dismantling stallsat Leicester market, so it seemeddestined that he would work inthe sector.

However, his first career choicewas in hairdressing.

“I didn’t go to college oruniversity,” he says. “I wanted toearn some money straight away!

“I worked in hairdressing forfour years. Once I was used todealing with people, retailingbecame a natural progression.”

In 1987, David got a job withfashion chain Next in his home

city of Leicester and by 1990 hadbecome a manager in charge of a4,000sq ft store.

When the recession of the early1990s forced Next to closeseveral of its stores, David foundhimself redundant.

He moved to Fosters Menswearin the city before getting the offerof a promotion to manage itsbranch in Accrington and later

became an area manager.He later worked for Austin

Reed, then moved to theBoundary Mill factory outlet atColne in Lancashire before takingup his current post at thePackhorse Centre nine years ago.

It was very much a case of“poacher turned gamekeeper”.

Says David: “I had always beena tenant and now I was a retail

centre manager. I have been onboth sides of the fence. Thatmeans I can empathise with thetenants here and work with themto achieve what they should beachieving.

“The big thing is ‘people’ That’sthe focus of what we do, whetherwe’re dealing with tenants orcustomers.”

As centre manager, Davidheads a 10-strong team and hasa whole host of responsibilities,including health and safety andsecurity.

“It’s everything from dealingwith someone who has slipped ona discarded sausage roll tocoping with unruly footballsupporters on a Saturdayafternoon,” he says.

But he has no regrets about theworkload. “I applied for the jobnine years ago because I haddone so much in retailing,” saysDavid.

“I had been a store managerand an area manager. I wantedmore than just running a shopunit. This was the ideal thing.

“I enjoy working with thetenants. As this is a relativelysmall shopping centre, I get toknow the tenants personally.

“I also enjoy working withothers in the town centre throughorganisations like theHuddersfield Town CentrePartnership and KirkleesCouncil.”

Away from work, David enjoysgolf and clay pigeon shooting aswell as “good food and finewines”. Holidays are also a must– with Greece, India and theCaribbean among favouritedestinations.

Meanwhile, 2013 will bring anew set of challenges for Davidas the Packhorse Centre begins anew phase.

“There is never a dull moment,”he says. “And with exciting thingsgoing on at the centre this year,the ‘buzz’ is back again.”

!

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal

Surely, that’sjust not fair?The Employment Appeals

Tribunal has ruled that thedismissal of a senior humanresources manager for redund-ancy was fair – despite the lackof any meaningful consultationwith the employee prior to dis-missal.

The general position is that aredundancy dismissal will be unfairif no consultation has taken place.

However, it has been recognised,in a number of limited cases in thepast, that there may be exceptionalcircumstances which make con-sultation “utterly futile”.

Whilst a finding of unfair dis-missal would be made, it is thenopen to the Tribunal to make areduction of compensation (some-times to nil) reflecting the fact thatconsultation would not have madeany difference to the outcome.

This line of authority is not gener-ally relied upon given the risk asso-ciated with not consulting withemployees but this case does give ahelpful demonstration of when aTribunal will categorise consulta-

tion as futile.The employee in question was

employed for 10 years by theemployer working as a humanresources manager between 2007and 2012.

In March, 2010, when the busi-ness was performing extremelypoorly, a restructure was implemen-ted and four senior executive roleswe re i n t ro d u c e d ab ove t h eemployee’s level.

A human resources director wasappointed to one of those positionswithout the employee being madeaware of the vacancy.

The employee’s existing dutieswere absorbed between the pay rolldepartment and the new directorand the extent of the consultationwas simply that the employee wasbrought to a meeting and dismissedimmediately for redundancy.

At the Employment AppealsTribunal, it was held that the com-pany was right to take highly sensit-ive commercial decisions involvingreorganisation at a higher level

without informing the employee.Another fundamental issue in the

case was the issue of alternativeemployment and whether theemployee should have been con-sidered for this.

However, it was clear to theAppeals Tribunal that the externalcandidate had qualifications whichwere “in a different league” to thoseof the employee and it was reason-able to come to the conclusion thathe would not have been suitable forthat role having assessed his capabil-ities over the previous 18 months.

In all the circumstances, it washeld that it was reasonable not toconsult and the dismissal was fair.

This case must not be interpretedas giving employers the right to rushthrough the redundancy proceduresand it is very fact sensitive.

Generally, businesses are requiredto demonstrate that a comprehens-ive and meaningful consultationprocess has been entered into priorto taking the decision to dismiss byreason of redundancy.

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

EMPLOYER’SBRIEFNeil Wilson

Facing up to afinancial puzzle

MORE than a quarter of Yfirms are keen to refinance theirassets – but almost half of themdon’t know how to starsurvey.Mike Randall (picturexecutive of Close BrFinance, said: ““Our BusinessBarometer gauges the staeconomy on a quarasks specific questions araccess to finance, afinance and refinancingfuture financial needs“We see consistently thacompanies want to ethey need finance to do so bstumped when it comes to makingthe first move.“This is especially true when itcomes to realising thaassets have a value thareleased in order to imprcapital and investment potential.”Mr Randall said about 18% ofYorkshire companies surthought that refinancing their assetswas a move of last rinsisted: “It’s hardly a desperthing to realise the vyou’ve already paid fwork.“That’s not a measurit’s an incredibly smarwith an asset that is only decin value.“The problem is many bowners and managerfinancial regime whicto rely on term loans and o“While these are not poor financialsolutions, they should be parmix that increasingly incfinance, such as refinancing andsale and HP back.”Mr Randall said“If morquarter of local businesses not onlyknow they need finance in ortrade daily and growtoday, then it’s time the financialcommunity as a whole brappeal and began talking in ameaningful way about the difmethods of putting monehands of commerce

Career secured

It’s all change for theDale Carnegie teamA TRAINING anddevelopment group isjoining forces withHuddersfield Town toinspire businesses bygiving them team talks– in the club’s homechanging room.Dale Carnegie’s TeamTalk sessions areaimed at businessleaders looking toboost their leadershipskills and improve theirteam’s success.The first two-hoursession in the Terriers’changing room at theJohn Smith’s Stadiumtakes place from 9amon WednesdayFebruary 13.Juliette Dennett(pictured),Mirfield-basedmanaging director ofDale CarnegieNorthern England,said: “Footballchanging rooms areoften the setting forinspirational teamtalks. By taking theteaching of DaleCarnegie’s keyprinciples away fromthe traditionalboardroom and intothis environment, wewill help businessleaders take inspiration

back to their ownorganisations.“During the sessionwe’ll look at how tobecome a leader otherswant to follow bygiving attendees arange of tools andtechniques which willmaximise colleagues’productivity andperformance.”Dale Carnegie, foundedin 1912, has beenassociated with theTerriers since 2006before becoming anofficial partner in therun-up to the 2010/11season.Contact Linda Parkeson [email protected] orcall 0845 6582288.

AN Elland teenager is among fourapprentices to secure full-time jobswith a Halifax-based insurancefirm.

Jack Lumb, a former pupil ofBrooksbank school, Elland, is oneof the apprentices to gain NVQlevel 2 in customer service andcomplete a 12-week trainingprogramme before joining themotor claims department’scustomer support team at CovéaInsurance.

The company launched theapprenticeship scheme inpartnership with CalderdaleCollege.

Adrian Furness, claims directorof Covéa Insurance, said: “Manyyoung people are finding it tougherthan ever to find their first jobopportunity.

“As a major employer inCalderdale, we recognised wecould play a part in helping youngpeople find an alternative touniversity, where qualifications andprospects were still a key feature.

“From a business perspective,apprenticeships give employersaccess to a new pool of talent

whilst bringing young people a stepcloser to a rewarding career.”

Matthew Metcalfe, a supervisorin the motor claims department atthe firm, who worked closely withthe apprentices, said: “They haveeach developed to a point wherethey are providing excellentcustomer service, have soundknowledge of the claimsenvironment and have beendeservingly rewarded with full-timeroles.”

Jack said: “After deciding I wasmore of a practical learner, Isearched the NationalApprenticeship website and foundthe opportunity with CovéaInsurance.

“I liked the idea of gainingacademic qualifications whilstbuilding practical skills and earningmoney at the same time – itseemed like a win-win situation!”

Just one month into the scheme,Jack set his sights on gaining afull-time role with the insurer. ‘I hada new found determination to dowell and get the most out of theopportunity,” he said.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local

Online salesset to expandHappy New Year! Always around

this time of year people makeforecasts and resolutions for theupcoming year. We’re asking if2013 will be another happy newyear of growth for online retailers?

Now five years into the UK financialcrisis, the light at the end of the tunnel isstill very faint for most but one area ofsustained growth during this period hasbeen the e-commerce sector, nowaccounting for almost 10% of all UKretail sales.

John Lewis reported online sales wereup by more than 40% in the run-up toChristmas compared to the same periodthe previous year. Online now accountsfor more than 25% of their total sales.

Visa also reported increases, withspending on their cards up 2.5% andonline purchases using Visa up 4.4%comparatively.

In December, footfall in shoppingcentres dropped, the British Retail Con-sortium noted this was by almost 5%; aspeople clearly favoured the convenienceof shopping at home.

The trend towards online is growing,and as it does, the need for websites tooperate a robust and eff ic ientback-office is even more critical to copewith increasing order levels.

Businesses focused on e-commerceneed to have a good infrastructure – it’sessential, from sales generation and

order-taking right through to ware-house management and after-salescare.

Customers who buy online have agreater freedom to shop around. Theirloyalty is vital to an online retailerlooking to grow.

Customers buying online have differ-ent expectations to those entering aphysical store.

When buying in a shop you have theobvious tactile benefit, but mostimportantly you interact with a salesperson and leave with your purchase.

Online is different, trust is critical andafter-sales communication is key to asmooth transaction.

There is no more crucial time forbusinesses selling online than getting itright at Christmas; managing customerexpectations is vital.

Christmas is a very testing time for

any business that relies on strong sea-sonal sales and failure to meet demandand delivery can have a negative reputa-tional impact.

According to IMRG (InteractiveMedia in Retail Group), failed onlinedeliveries cost the UK retail sector over£850m last year and with parcel couriersbusier than ever – UK Mail volumesrose by more than 20% in 2012 to copewith growing online demand – retailsuccess in real terms is dependent uponthe systems that online businesses havein place.

2013 looks set to be another prosper-ous year for the online retail sector.E-commerce presents an opportunityfor businesses of all sizes to compete forthe estimated £90bn that will be spentthrough websites this year.

There has never been a greater oppor-tunity for small businesses to grow.

DIGITALDIRECTIONAndrew Firth

Andrew Firth is managing director of Ascensor Website Design& Digital Marketing

Facing up to afinancial puzzle

ter of Yorkshireefinance their

ut almost half of themt know how to start, says a

e Randall (pictured), chiefe of Close Brothers Asset, said: ““Our Business

auges the state of they on a quarterly basis and

asks specific questions around, attitudes to

efinancing, as well ase financial needs.

e see consistently thatant to expand, know

y need finance to do so but arestumped when it comes to making

“This is especially true when itealising that their existing

alue that could beder to improve workingestment potential.”

bout 18% ofe companies surveyed

efinancing their assetse of last resort, but

dly a desperateealise the value of assetseady paid for and put to

s not a measure of last resort,edibly smart thing to do

t is only declining

oblem is many businessgers are stuck in a

gime which has led themm loans and overdrafts.

e not poor financialy should be part of a

easingly includes assetefinancing and

Mr Randall said“If more than ausinesses not only

y need finance in order toow, but want it

s time the financialcommunity as a whole broadened its

an talking in about the different

methods of putting money into thece.”

Insolvencies –not it’s personalBUSINESS failures may have fallen to afive-year low – but one Kirklees andManchester-based insolvencypractitioner is expanding due to anincrease in activity.Clough Corporate Solutions, which ispart of Cleckheaton-based charteredaccountancy firm Clough & Company,opened its Manchester city centreoffice just six months ago and recentlyappointed a new member of staff tohelp with a surge in new business.Fiona Rae, partner and head of thefirm’s Manchester office, said:“Although the volume of companiesentering administration, receivershipor company voluntary arrangementhas dropped the number of personalinsolvencies is still rising.“We have seen a big increase in formerbusiness owners forced intobankruptcy by their creditors and havebeen appointed by several lendinginstitutions keen to recover their debt.“This increase in workload has meantthat we have taken on a new senioradministration executive in order tosupport our team.”In addition to corporate and personalinsolvency work, the practicespecialises in guiding businessesthrough all types of financing paths.Chris Wood, partner and insolvencypractitioner at Clough CorporateSolutions, said: “In recent years,Clough Corporate Solutions hashelped to save a wide range ofbusinesses and hundreds of jobs.“Although the figures from theInsolvency Service are encouraging,unfortunately the economic climate isstill on a knife edge which means thereare thousands of businesses andindividuals requiring help with theirfinances.“Low interest rates and supportivelenders are helping but as our increasein workload indicates, some people aresimply too much of a risk.”

■ WORKLOAD: Fiona Rae, of CloughCorporate Solutions

HR contract helps IRIS tokeep its eye on businessA BIRSTALL-based human resourcesspecialist has won a contract to provideHR support to clients of one of theUK’s respected accountancy softwareproviders.

Lamont Jones will work closely withIRIS, which provides business softwareand services to accountants andpayroll professionals in the UK.

Lamont Jones will support customersof IRIS with a dedicated HR helpline toensure they receive a quick responseand peace of mind. Involvement fromthe Lamont Jones team also allows

IRIS to focus on its core business.Lamont Jones has been helping

businesses protect themselvescollectively for 40 years and managesintegrated HR services for a number ofcompanies across the country.

With its consultancy service LamontJones are specialists in protectingbusinesses against situations in theworkplace that may otherwise lead toemployment tribunals.

IRIS said it chose to work withLamont Jones rather than a large call

centre environment as – despite beinga large business – IRIS was striving todeliver a personalised service to itsclients.

Heather Jones, managing director atLamont Jones, said: “I am delightedthat Lamont Jones has been chosen todeliver HR to IRIS clients.

“We share the same values towardscustomer care and quality of serviceand that delivery has to be practical,not stuffy but professional andknowledgeable.”

Window’s a winnerEVERYTHING in the garden’s rosy for theowner of a Huddersfield soft furnishingsbusiness. Julie Gould, who runs Marsh-basedDecor 80, has won a visit to the world famousKew Gardens in London after entering awindow dressing competition. The annualnational competition is run by fabric andwallpaper brand Villa Nova. Competing shopswere given items on a Japanese theme withwhich to dress their windows – with the besteight entries winning the prize trip.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property

New office for law firm

■ ON THE RADAR: Paul Joyce(left), Ramsdens managing partner

Birthday bonusfor the workers

A LAW firm with offices inKirklees is expanding itspresence across West Yorkshire.

Ramsdens will open a newoffice – its ninth – in the heart ofWakefield’s legal quarter laterthis month.

It already has offices atRamsden Street in Huddersfieldtown centre and at Edgerton,Dewsbury, Mirfield, Slaithwaite,Holmfirth, Elland, and Halifax.

Managing partner Paul Joycesaid: “This is the next stage inour ongoing expansionprogramme and is a naturalprogression for the firm in ouraim to provide specialist legalservices to people across thewhole region.

“An office in Wakefield hasbeen on our radar for some timenow and this new office willstrengthen our presence acrossWest Yorkshire. In the currenteconomic climate, we feel it isimportant to continue to growand invest in the future.”

Ramsdens will offer a widerange of legal services from thenew Wakefield office, includingfamily law, private client, disputeresolution, employment,commercial property andresidential conveyancing. It willalso look to develop and provideadditional services.

Jeremy Cook, partner at thenew office, said: “This is anexciting time for the firm as we

expand further across theregion.

“Our new office marks thenext chapter in Ramsdenssuccess story.

“The new office is a fabulousenvironment and a great placeto work and do business from.”

The Wakefield team will attendthe Mid Yorkshire Chamber ofCommerce’s #MYnetworkWKFmeetings, which are held from12.30pm on the second Friday ofevery month at the Priory Bar.Ramsdens also takes part in the#MYnetworkHUD meetings at9am on the third Wednesday ofeach month at The MediaCentre in Huddersfield.

CONSTRUCTIONand developmentspecialist Southdaleis celebrating its25th anniversary bygiving each memberof staff at its threeUK offices theirbirthdays off.Southdale, whichpartnered Kirklees Council in a majorscheme to demolish more than 500council-owned properties and develop520 new homes for private sale inBrackenhall and Deighton, has officesin Halifax, Warrington and Darlington.The firm, formed in 1988, saidemployees whose birthdays fall on aweekend or Bank Holiday can take theirholiday on an adjacent day.Managing director Paul Moore (pictured)said: “Our continued success andstability is down to these people, so wewanted to make our anniversary aboutthem.”

Shops losing atechnology warTECHNOLOGY and out-of-town retailingare the two biggest threats facing high streetshops, says a Huddersfield business leader.

Camera retailer Jessops this week becamethe latest UK retailer to hit the buffers – withadministrators from PricewaterhouseCoopersclosing all 200 stores, including one at QueenStreet in Huddersfield, with the loss of about2,000 jobs.

The loss of the Queen Street store meansanother “hole on the high street” in Hudders-field to join a list of vacant shop units inprominent sites such as New Street, MarketStreet and the Piazza and the Packhorsecentres.

Jessops’ woes have been blamed on compet-ition from online retailers and the boom incamera phones, which has hit demand fordigital cameras.

Steven Leigh, head of policy at the Lock-wood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Com-merce, said: “Jessops is all about sellingcameras.

“But in the modern world, people are usingiPhones and sending pictures electronically. Itis a business that no longer has anything goingfor it because technology has changed themarket.”

He said internet shopping threatened towncentre stores at a time when local councils were“penalising” motorists with increasing carparking charges.

“Motorists are not welcome in town centre,”he said. “In general terms, councils areincreasing parking charges in town centres –which deter people from going into them.

“As councils get more and more strappedfor cash, they increasingly view parkingcharges as a revenue raiser, which is draininglife from the town centres.

“As retailers pull out of town centres, thesecentres become progressively less attractive tocustomers, who can drive to a one-stop shopout of town with free parking or shop onlinefrom the comfort of their own home and get itdelivered.”

Mr Leigh said there were increasing con-cerns about the long-term future of towncentres.

“It is jobs that are disappearing and it is veryworrying, but these are developments of themodern world.”

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, who hascalled for a Task Force to revive the town’sstricken George Hotel, said it was “too soon tosound the death knell” for town centre retail-ing and called for imaginative initiatives topromote the high street.

Referring to the high-profile national cam-paign to revitalise town centres led by shop-ping guru Mary Portas, he said: “We don’tneed her. We should do something ourselves.

“How do we bring life back to retailing? Iwill be speaking to Huddersfield Town CentrePartnership and Kirklees Council about it.”

The Labour MP repeated his call for effortsto attract “up-market” and “prime retailers”to the town.

And he said: “We will get out of therecession eventually and when we do we needHuddersfield to be ready. We need to makeretailing fun because people still like to goshopping.”

However, the recent arrival of new busi-nesses such as Department Forty Four andCreams tearooms suggest that independent

traders remain confident about the towncentre.

A spokeswoman for Kirklees Council said arange of initiatives was under way to promotetown centre traders and attract visitors.

They included the launch of a new galleryspace at the Packhorse Centre to showcaselocal artists and community groups.

And a new click-and-collect website –yourhighstreet.com – was helping independ-ent retailers compete with e-traders by allow-ing customers to order goods online forcollection at a time convenient to them.

Three promotedPROPERTY agent Knight Frank hasmade three key promotions in WestYorkshire.Paul Hallam becomes a partner whileEd Harrowsmith and Dan Hyde becomeassociates – all based at the firm’sLeeds office.Henrie Westlake, the partner in charge,said: “These three promotions werewell-deserved and reflect the strengthand direction of our business.”

■ ACTION NEEDED: Barry Sheerman (left) is calling for efforts to support Huddersfieldtown centre while Steven Leigh, fears more stores – and jobs – could go the way of Jessops

Office locationA REPORT in last week’s KirkleesBusiness News referred to theSlaithwaite office of Carter Jonas. Wehave been asked to point out that theproperty agency no longer has an officein the village and handles Huddersfieldproperty issues from its Harrogateoffice.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Amjad puts stamp on hisnew business ventureA MAN who quit an IT job inhis native Pakistan to buy abusiness in the UK has reallyput his stamp on things.Initially, Amjad Siddiqui wasinterested in operating apetrol station under arecognised brand.But after talking to PaulWilliamson, of businesstransfer agents ErnestWilson, he decided toinvestigate the sub post officemarket.The Post Office is goingthrough a transformationprogramme – which hasopened up opportunities asexisting sub post officescome to the market.Mr Siddiqui was alsointroduced to Lloyds TSBCommercial’s Huddersfield

business centre to help fundhis ambitions.Now he runs Stairfoot PostOffice in Barnsley – havingpassed the Post Office’sselection process and raisedthe necessary finance.Wendy Hallas, of Lloyds TSBCommercial in Huddersfield,said: “At Lloyds, we arealways looking foropportunities to supportbusiness customers to buyand develop a viablebusiness.“I was delighted to meetAmjad and was impressed bynot only his business plan,but by his energy and passionto succeed and we quickly putin place the facilities requiredto fulfil his plans.”

Strong interest predictedPROPERTY adviser Savillshas been appointed as lettingagency for an industrial unitin Huddersfield.Hartley Investment Trust hasappointed Savills as theletting agent for the 148,000sqft unit at Crossley Lane,Kirkheaton. Theself-contained site includes asecure yard and parking.The building features seven

ground level loading doorswith two existing docks.Dave Robinson, director ofindustrial agency at Savills,said: “Huddersfield currentlyhas a very low level of goodquality industrial anddistribution stock so weanticipate that we will have astrong level of interest forCrossley Lane.”

Positive viewfor the regionTHE managing director of West York-shire Persimmon welcomed the group’spositive trading update – and said that2013 looked like being another goodyear for the region.

Wayne Gradwell’s comments came asthe group – which also includes CharlesChurch, Westbury Partnerships andHillreed Homes – said it completed9,903 homes last year against 9,360 in2011.

The average selling price rose to£173,400 from £163,999 in 2011 whilerevenues rose to £1.72bn from £1.54bnbefore.

“As a group, we have increased thevolume of new homes legally completedby 6%, our average selling price has alsogone up by 6% and our revenues haveincreased by some 12%,” said Mr Grad-well.

“The year has started strongly for usin the region with developments ongo-ing in Barnsley, Bradford, Hudders-field, Leeds, Pontefract, Wakefield andRotherham and new ones due for open-ing in Hipperholme, Thornton andThurcroft.

“The response from prospective pur-chasers is extremely positive and we’reconfident that government schemesincluding NewBuy and FirstBuy willsupport our sales even further.”

Nationally, Persimmon has securedan additional allocation of about 3,000new homes as part of the FirstBuyfunding, which Mr Gradwell saidwould lead to further opportunities forfirst time buyers in the region.

“As we look forward to the busyspring selling season, we’re sure thatschemes like FirstBu y will offer manypeople that first vital step onto thehousing ladder,” he said.

Persimmon also announced severalchanges of key personnel. Group chiefexecutive Mike Farley will retire onApril 18 to be succeeded by Jeff Fair-burn, currently group managing dir-ector and north division chief executive.Nigel Greenaway, south division chiefexecutive, joins the board as an execut-ive director with immediate effect. DaveJenkinson, currently a regional chair-man, is appointed north division chiefexecutive with immediate effect.

■ STRONG START: WayneGradwell, of Persimmon Homes

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers

Give it thehard sell!MANUFACTURERS will get advice onboosting sales at a meeting in Huddersfieldlater this month.

The Calderdale and KirkleesManufacturing Alliance stages its firstmeeting of 2013 at 6pm on Thursday,January 31, at the Briar Court Hotel,Birchencliffe, when the topic will be Selling– Generating Leads and Converting toSales.

Speakers at the event will be Nick Hill(top right) and Nicky Pattinson (alsopictured). For many years, Nick has workedwith key personnel at companies like O2,DLA Piper and HSBC as well as many smallbusiness owners to help them improve theirconfidence, presentation style and saleseffectiveness.

Nicky has proved an inspirational speakerat events including the annual KirkleesBusiness Conference and argues: “Theworld got stuck on the phrase ‘customerservice. That’s not the same as selling inthe first place.” She says part of the reasonfor the UK’s economic malaise is because“nobody ever sells anything to anyoneanymore”.

For details of the event and CKMAemailBook now for this entertaining event byemailing Janet Sparkes [email protected] with your name (andthose of colleagues also wanting to come)and company.

Neil Park

ChamberinternationalCHAMBER Internationalhas strengthened its teamof associates as it helpsspearhead Yorkshire’sbiggest export drive for ageneration.

The organisation hasappointed export strategistand sales professional NeilPark (pictured) to head itsexport developmentservice and persuademore firms to sell theirgoods and services overseas.

With only a tiny minority of companies in theregion involved in exporting, ChamberInternational has teamed up with UK Trade &Investment and the Leeds City Region LocalEconomic Partnership to deliver an element ofthe “We Are International” campaign. It includesthe formation of the Export Network, a team ofhighly-experienced export champions, who willmentor and offer practical advice to novice orinexperienced exporters in a bid to add £2.6bnto Yorkshire’s coffers.

The campaign, to be launched on March 12,will focus on dramatically increasing Yorkshire’sexport sales to counteract a sluggish market athome. Despite its distinguished manufacturingpedigree, currently only 7% sell abroad.

Mr Park’s career in export sales includesworking for two large manufacturers in theautomotive industry for the past 17 years,seeing year-on-year increases in sales, marginand market share.

Since 2011 he has run his own companydeveloping international sales for a number ofmanufacturers.

He has also taught the Institute of ExportAdvanced Diploma Course.

Academy is all setORGANISERS of the Huddersfield TownEnterprise Academy have engineered afitting venue for their first meeting of 2013.HTEA kicks off this year’s programme ofevents with a meeting at the new KirkleesCollege Engineering Centre at TurnbridgeRoad, off St Andrew’s Road. The centreopened its doors only last August.The theme for the meeting is PreparingYour Business for the Next Generation ofEmployees. The event, which takes placeat noon on Thursday, February 21, is freeand includes a light buffet, but each firmis restricted to a maximum of three tickets.

Marketing expertsare in the spotlightEXPERTS in marketing will answerquestions at an event organised inYorkshire by the Chartered Institute ofMarketing.CIM South Yorkshire branch presidentDavid Chapman has organised the event,which takes place at 6pm tomorrow atSheffield University. The panel will includeIan Brayford, a specialist inbusiness-to-business marketing; Mike Self,who specialises in strategic marketingplanning; Jackie Cook, a specialist inbusiness-to-business, services marketingand relationship marketing; and MelanieParker, a specialist in professionalservices marketing.Email [email protected]

Rob Kelly

ArmitageSykesHUDDERSFIELD-based law firm ArmitageSykes has promoted Rob Kelly to partner.

Mr Kelly, pictured (above, right with seniorpartner Robert Turner) is part of the firm’scompany and commercial team.

He joined Armitage Sykes, based at NewNorth Road, in 2010 and advises clients on awide range of corporate matters, includingbusiness acquisitions and disposals, investorand shareholder arrangements and issuesaffecting owner-managed businesses.

Mr Kelly graduated in law from OxfordUniversity before embarking on a career as achartered accountant.

He has previously worked forPricewaterhouseCoopers and a number ofnational firms advising on matters ranging fromrights issues to multinational joint ventures.

Mr Turner said “We are delighted to recogniseRob in this way. He has gained great results forclients and this promotion is well deserved.”

They’re all suchjolly good sports!A HUDDERSFIELD events companyhelped keep guests well-fed at one of thebiggest celebrations in the world of sport.

AR Events Ltd, based at Railway Streetin the town centre, was appointed “nomin-ated agency” responsible for sales of cor-porate hospitality packages for BBC SportsPersonality of the Year, which was stagedbefore Christmas at the ExCel Arena inLondon.

The company, headed by directorsAndrew Roebuck and Charles Webb, spe-cialises in corporate hospitality for manyevents, including the Cheltenham and Ain-tree horse racing festivals, Grand Prixmotor racing at Silverstone and the Burgh-ley Horse Trials among others.

Andrew and Charles have more than 30years experience in the hospitality andevents industry.

Their relationship with the BBC goesback 14 years where they are responsible forselling and managing hospitality at the BBCProms in the Park and Radio 2 Live in HydePark.

Mr Webb said: “It was an honour to bepart of the 2012 BBC Sports Personality ofthe Year, celebrating the success of oursports stars in such a memorable year.

“The corporate guests enjoyed aonce-in-a-lifetime experience completed byrubbing shoulders with their sporting her-oes at the post-show party.”

Access to the VIP post-show party wasn’tthe only thing included in the package

enjoyed by the guests.They were treated to a drinks reception

and a lavish three-course meal before sportspresenter John Inverdale hosted a Q & Asession with a panel of Olympic medalwinners.

Guests watched the show from premiumseating in the front blocks along with a

16,000 crowd and an estimated TV audienceof 14.5m.

AR Events sold more than 600 packagesat the event – one of the most hotlycontested in recent memory – which sawcyclist Bradley Wiggins claim the prestigi-ous trophy after his Olympic time trial goldmedal and historic Tour de France victory.

■ TEAM MATES: AR Events Ltddirector Andrew Roebuck (above, left)with Manchester City captain VincentKompany at the reception for VIPguests attending the BBC SportsPersonality of the Year and swimmerIan Thorpe (right) with AR Events salesmanager Tom McCreadie

Kirklees Business News 15/01/13

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