Kirklees Business News, 16th March 2010

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees16, March, 2010

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TRISH NUTTALL MICHAEL VAUGHANHome, sweet home!

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Cr icket stat is t ics

Repor t - Page 8

FTSE 100- 31.80

5593.85An EXAMINER publication

Small isbeautifulKIRKLEES firms couldbenefit in a big wayfrom HuddersfieldUniversity’snano-technology skills.SMEs are being urgedto find out how aregional Nanofactoryinvolving six Yorkshireuniversities could helpthem develop newproducts and improvedprocesses to generatemore jobs and createmore wealth.

Park lifesuits threeA HAT-TRICK of dealshas been secured at aMirfield office park.Three companies havetaken space at thefour-acre WheatleyPark office complex,which has beendeveloped by St JamesSecurities, of Leeds.

Company digs in with £700,000 investmentA PLANT hire company with a depotin Huddersfield has invested £700,000in new stock.

Chippindale Plant Hire hasacquired a fleet of 38 Volvo excavatorswhich it will hire from its depots acrossYorkshire.

It said the move followed an encour-

aging rise in demand for plant equip-ment – reflecting the return todevelopment activity for several ofChippindale’s key clients across thenorth.

The firm has a depot at HillhouseLane and others in Leeds, Keighley,Catterick, York and Sheffield.

Joint managing director Nigel Chip-pindale said: “The extent of plantequipment hire is an accurate baro-meter of the health of the constructionindustry.

“In bad times, contractors relysolely on their own stock, but when themarket improves they have to out-

source supplementary machinery tofacilitate the expansion of their buildprogrammes.”

Chippindale said the biggestdemand seemed to be coming fromresidential developers.

The new fleet of excavators range insize from 1.5 tonnes to 9 tonnes.

Prize-winning firmhits new heightsA ROOFING company has beennamed as the best in Britain for itswork fitting photovoltaic solar panels– and helping energy-conscioushomeowners and businesses make themost of a Government “reward”scheme.

Ploughcroft took the industry leadtwo years ago in developing a nationaltraining course for solar panel installa-tion in a link-up with the NationalFederation of Roofing Contractors.

Now its foresight in setting thehighest possible standards for fittingclean energy solutions has won it ahost of industry accolades and unri-valled consumer confidence.

The company has won the award forBest Business Initiative for Microgen-eration Technologies in the Yorkshireand Humber Microgeneration Awards2010 – and has become the first UKroofing company to be accredited forinstalling and commissioning PV solarpanels under the MicrogenerationCertification Scheme.

That means Ploughcroft is the mostqualified roofing firm in the country toprovide and fit MSC-approvedproducts for customers wanting to

take advantage of the Feed-in Tarriffsincentive scheme announced by energyand climate change secretary EdMiliband.

Ploughcroft managing director

Chris Hopkins said: “The FITs dealessentially means that homeownersand businesses who install PV solarpanels on a sunny south-facing roofwill be paid by the government for the

electricity they generate for the next 25years – even if they use all of itthemselves.

“For example, someone fitting atypical £12,500, 2.5kW PV system totheir home will initially be paid up to41.3p per kilowatt hour generated –which is enough to reward them withup to £900 in the first year, on top of a£140-a-year saving on their bills.

“The payments are tax free, guaran-teed for the next 25 years and havebeen linked to inflation.

“It’s a real incentive for people toreduce their own electricity consump-tion and ultimately to export excesselectricity generated back to thenational grid.”

Said Mr Hopkins: “We expect to bevery busy fitting PV solar systems.”

The training course developed byBrighouse-based Ploughcroft with theNFRC includes training roofers on theinstallation and integration of severaldifferent makes of solar panels intodifferent roof coverings includingslate, concrete and plain tiles. It wasadopted by sector skills council Con-structionSkills in 2009.

■ HOT WORK: Chris Hopkins, managing director of Brighouse firmPloughcroft, which has achieved national accolades for its work promotingtraining in solar panel installation

Yorkshire’s Legal Peoplewww.chadwicklawrence.co.uk01484 519 999Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5593.8Down 31.8

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.57 dollarsBangladesh................... 98.99 takaBrazil.............................. 2.39 realsCanada....................... 1.47 dollarsChina ............................. 9.25 yuanCzech Republic ...... 25.84 korunasDenmark....................... 7.81 kroneEuro............................... 1.05 euroHong Kong................ 11.16 dollarsHungary ................... 262.39 forintsIndia.......................... 60.84 rupeesJapan........................... 130.92 yenMexico ....................... 16.94 pesosNew Zealand .............. 2.00 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.43 kronePakistan.................. 120.46 rupeesPhilippines ................. 59.32 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.47 randSouth Korea.............. 1498.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 163.05 rupeesSweden....................... 10.24 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.53 francsTaiwan ...................... 42.11 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.18 new liraUSA ............................ 1.45 dollars

Carclo 1621/2Chapelthorpe 143/4Marshalls 97 +1/4National Grid 654 +31/2RensburgSheppards

615 +31/2

Weir Gp 921 -2

Small firms on the attackMOST small firms believe the Gov-ernment and banks have not doneenough to support them during therecession, said a new study.

A survey of 650 businesses by XLNTelecom showed most were dissatis-fied with the Government’s handlingof the financial crisis.

Only one in four expressed anyoptimism about the coming year andnine out of 10 said small firms werehaving to carry “unfair tax burdens”as a result of banks being bailed out.

The survey showed that 16% offirms expected to take on more staffthis year, with one in 10 predicting jobcuts and almost two out of three

expecting staffing levels to remain thesame.

A spokeswoman for the Depart-ment for Business, Innovation andSkills (BIS) said: “BIS has puttogether a package of free andeasy-to-use tools to offer real help toSMEs throughout the downturn. Thissupport is available for both existingbusinesses and new start-ups throughBusinessLink.”

She said BIS had already delivered£33.8m in Capital Enterprise Fundsto 23 businesses, agreed £40m inRegional Transition Loans and morethan 117,600 businesses had benefitedfrom a free health check.

Kingsgate ‘anchor’seals lending deal

Retailer severs its ConnectionSTRUGGLING fashion chain FrenchConnection unveiled wideningannual losses – as it agreed to sellone of its businesses.

Designer label Nicole Farhi, set upby Farhi and FC chairman StephenMarks in 1982, will be sold to privateequity firm OpenGate Capital for upto £5m.

A strategic review will also seeloss-making stores in the US axedalongside the closure of the firm’sJapanese business and someEuropean retail outlets.

The moves came as the groupposted losses of £24.9m for the yearto January 31 against a deficit of£16.4m the previous year.

Mr Marks said the group had madesome tough decisions” during thepast year.

He said it was sad to see the brandleaving the group, but insisted thenew owners were totally committedto nurturing the brand and safe-guarding staff jobs so that its fullpotential could be realised.

The Nicole Farhi business rackedup operating losses of £5.6m onrevenues of £21.7m last year.

The shake-up leaves FC with itsUK and European retail and whole-sale operations, the Great Plainswholesale-only ladies wear rangeand Toast, its mail order fashion andhome wares brand.

TakingLiberty’sTHE distinctiveTudor-style buildingoccupied by upmarketLondon department storeLiberty has been sold ina lease-back deal worth£41.5m.

In a sign of increasingdemand for primefreehold property assetsin central London, Libertysaid the pricerepresented a “significantsurplus” on the valuationof £30.25m placed on theflagship store inDecember.

Bank injobs alertTHE Bank of Englandwarned of “considerableuncertainty” over thelabour market – despitebetter recent news onjobs.

Its latest quarterlybulletin said there was arisk of rising dole queuesif “the recovery indemand proves moresluggish than businesseshave expected”.

The warning comesdespite improving officialdata from the labourmarket, showing a 3,000fall in unemploymentbetween October andDecember to 2.46m.

The Bank highlightedseveral risks facing thejobs market, including aweak recovery, job cutsthrough public sectorbelt-tightening and morefirms going under iflenders take a harsherstance on strugglingcompanies.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £26.86 -0.23Gannett 1042.08 -14.96Hess Corp £40.01 -0.72Microsoft 1933.25 -12.63Motors Liquidation 49.86Wal-Mart Stores £36.80 +0.97

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 821/2 +1BAE Systems 375 -37/8Rolls-Royce Gp 568 +31/2VT Group 6781/2 -11/2

AIMBrady Plc 66Dawson Intl 21/4

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 1221/4 -31/2

BANKSBarclays 3485/8 -31/4HSBC 681 -3Lloyds Banking Gp 575/8 -7/8Ryl Scotland 423/4 +1/8Stan Chart 17311/2 -3

BEVERAGESDiageo 1095 +5SABMiller 1893 +19

CHEMICALSCroda 9181/2 -51/2Elementis 98 55 +2Johnsn Mat 1722 -14

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2821/4 +3/4Costain 261/4 +1

ELECTRICITYDrax Grp 3811/4 -75/8

Intl Power 3281/2 -1/2Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1118 -6

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTChloride 2071/4 -11/8Invensys 3343/8 -41/4Laird 1273/8 -11/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3315/8 -33/8

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1243/4 +13/8C & W 1437/8 +1/4Colt Telecom 1341/4KCOM 51 +11/2

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 295 +3/8Sainsbury 3321/2 -1/4Tesco 4353/8

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 9541/2 -1Nth Foods 57 -1/2Tate Lyle 4581/4 -83/4Unilever 1947 -11Uniq 241/2

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 2943/4 +43/4National Grid 654 +31/2Pennon Grp 523 -4Severn 1200 +5United Utils 5571/2 -1/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2811/4 +1/8ICAP 378 +7/8London StockExch 728 -61/2Man Group 2471/2 -43/4Provident Financial 862 -31/2

Schroders 1360Schroders NV 1121 -2

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 5031/2 -5REXAM 2923/8 +11/4Smiths Grp 1057 -4

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 13 +1/4DSG International 33 -1/8Home Retail 2751/8 -15/8Inchcape 285/8 -1/8Kingfisher 2201/4 -3/4M & S 3611/2 +33/8Mothercare 6261/2 -31/2Next £201/8WH Smith 4733/4 -43/4

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6761/2 -1/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 1111/2 -61/2Barrat Dev 1247/8 -2Persimmon 441 -33/4Reckitt Benckiser £351/4 +1/4Taylor Wimpey 39 -1/4

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 729 -61/2Delta 1891/2 +1/2I M I 6411/2 -21/2Man Brnze 861/2 +2

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 295 -97/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 1885/8 +21/4Forth Ports 1398 -2

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3903/4 -51/4

Lgl & Gen 793/4 -3/8Old Mutual 1243/8 +7/8Prudential 5371/2 -15Resolution 715/8 -7/8Standard Life 2131/4 +13/4

MEDIABSkyB 584 -14Chrysalis 1001/4 -11/4D Mail Tst 4763/4 -1/4ITV 523/8 +1/2Johnston Press 281/2 +1/4Pearson 998Reed Elsevier 5041/2 -3STV Group 491/4Trinity Mirror 1653/8 -1/2Utd Business 509 -1UTV 105 +2WPP 6591/2 -81/2Yell Group 40 -1/8

MININGAnglo American £265/8 -1/2Antofagasta 1001 -32BHP Billiton £215/8 -3/8Eurasian NaturalRes

1133 -40

Fresnillo 820 -26Kazakhmys 1473 -44Lonmin 1965 -33Rio Tinto £365/8 -1/2VEDANTARESOURCES

£27 -1/2

Xstrata 1157 -36MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 7791/2 -12Vodafone Group 1505/8 -1

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1251 +13RSA Insurance Gp 1255/8 -3/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 11711/2 -151/2BP 6191/4 -5/8Cairn Energy 3731/4 -51/8Norsk Hdro 4721/2 -91/8Royal Dutch Shell A 1911 -9Royal Dutch Shell B 1830 -11Total £381/2 -3/8Tullow Oil 1260 -22

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 7681/2 -91/2Petrofac 1212 -28Wood Group 3683/8 -73/4

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry 687 +1

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £291/8Axis-Shield 405 +81/2GlaxoSmithK XD 5Shire 1466 +17

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4643/4 +3/4DTZ Hldgs 821/4 +2Hamrsn 3851/4 -33/4Land Secs 6701/2 -31/2SEGRO 3311/2

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1734 -4Dimension Data 943/8 -1Logica 1257/8 +3/8Misys 242 -61/8Sage Group 2471/4 -13/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBunzl 721 +31/2Capita 7291/2 -11/2Davis ServiceGroup

4137/8 -23/4

De La Rue 953 -141/2Electrocomp 1983/8 -7/8Experian 625 -5G4S 2785/8 -23/4Hays 1061/4 +1/8Homeserve 1673 -16Menzies J 365 +11Rentokil 1281/8 -13/8Smiths News 115 -2Wolseley 1620 -56

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 2221/2 -43/4Psion 90 -1/2Spirent Comms 1211/4 -11/2

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £221/8 -1/8

Imperial Tobacco £205/8 -1/4

LEISURE & HOTELS

Arriva 5671/2 -3Brit Airways 2353/8 -1/4Carnival £257/8 -1/8Compass Grp 502 -41/2easyJet 4321/8 -83/8Enterprise Inns 118 -5FirstGroup 3671/2 -57/8Go-Ahead 1434 +1Greene King 4301/2 -31/2Intercontl Htls 985 -5Ladbrokes 1451/8 +7/8Mitchells & Butlers 282 -21/8Natl Express 2201/4 +1/4PartyGaming 3241/2 -10Rank Org 1137/8 -1/8Stagecoach Group 1813/4 -15/8TUI Travel 2843/8 -1Whitbread 1501 -16

INDEXFTSE 100 5593.85 -31.80

INDEXFTSE 250 9879.01 -62.55

DEPARTMENT store chain House ofFraser said it was ready for the nextstage in its growth plans after securingan overhaul of its lending terms.

The group, which has the “anchor”store at Huddersfield’s Kingsgatecentre and more than 60 stores in theUK and Ireland, told suppliers it hadchanged its banking agreements toallow it to ramp up expansion follow-ing a surge in sales and earnings.

The retailer said same-store salesrose by more than 10% in the five weekssince the end of January.

Earnings rose by more than 20% inthe year to January 31 – thanks to astrong second half after focusing onmore profitable in-house brands.

Chairman Don McCarthy said lend-ing agreement changes would give itmore room to grow.

He said: “House of Fraser hasreceived overwhelming support fromour lending group that will enable thegroup to move forward with the nextphase of our growth strategy.”

House of Fraser aims to strengthenits online capabilities and in-houseranges – with the addition of labelssuch as Biba and Pied a Terre in

womenswear – while continuing withan extensive store refurbishment pro-gramme.

It is also set to open its first store inthe Middle East under a partnershipwith Retail Arabia International.

The outlet will launch in Abu Dhabiin 2012 while others may follow incentres including Cairo and Riyadh.

House of Fraser’s original lendingagreements were said to have been outof date and restrictive – although it isnot thought to have been close tobreaching any covenants.

The retailer has been paying off itsdebts and said repayments were aheadof schedule in the last financial year,. Ithopes to continue reducing debts at arapid pace over the next 12 months.

Mr McCarthy told suppliers thefirm’s “key strategic initiative remainsto be focused on our ‘house brand’development and the further expansionof our multi-channel business”.

House brand sales rose by about 30%over the second half and 50% in the firstfive weeks of its new year.

There was also positive like-for-likesales growth across its concessions.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

TrishNuttallRole: PartnerAge: 53Family: Married toSimonHolidays: NewYorkCar: Saab Convert-ibleFirst job: Typist atHopkinsons Valves,BirkbyBest thing aboutjob: The creativityand the pace ofthingsWorst thingabout job: Nothaving enoughhours in the weekBusiness tip: Putyourself in your cus-tomer’s shoes anddo the detail

Jo SimonHomes

Work: Construc-tion,design-and-buildSite: EdgertonPhone: 01484539027Email:[email protected]

Takingpride in ajob welldone

TRISH Nuttall is a woman ina man’s world.

But dealing with burlybuilders and trudging acrossmuddy construction sites isall part of the job for Trish –who came to the buildingindustry almost by accidentand now runsHuddersfield-based JoSimon Homes with herhusband, Simon.

The business, based atthe couple’s spaciousEdgerton home, specialisesin renovating houses andschools – dealing with allaspects of the project fromdesign and costings tosourcing materials, fixturesand fittings and supplyingthe labour to get the workdone.

Trish, who hails fromManchester, was brought upin Birkby and attended StPatrick’s Junior School andSt Gregory’s GrammarSchool before studying onan art foundation course atHuddersfield Polytechnic.

She got a job withGrahams builders’merchants in Huddersfieldselling architecturalironmongery and garagedoors – and discovered sheenjoyed the buzz of theconstruction industry.

“It suited me becauseeverything was fast-pacedwith deadlines to meet andquick decisions to make,”she recalls.

Trish went on to work for anumber of other companies.At one Leicester firmproviding bespoke staircasesand balustrades, Trish builtup her department workingfor builders such as Mowlemand Laing.

“I enjoyed attending sitemeetings and working withsurveyors and sitemanagers,” she says.

About four years ago,Trish went part-time her injob while launching her ownbusiness.

She says: “I was almost50 and it was a bit of a riskbecause at that age youdon’t have too many years’earning power left!

“My husband had retiredfrom the police force and we

decided to give it a go. Abouta year later, I was able togive up my job and focus onthis.”

Trish recalls: “It all startedwhen someone we knowwanted to buy a new houseat Netherton, but missedout. They asked us if theybought another house, wouldwe re-model it?

“Other people saw theresults and said they wantedwork doing on their homes. Itjust snowballed from there.”

As well as private houses,Jo Simon Homes works inthe public sector on schools– fitting suspended ceilingsand air conditioning systems,installing soft-surface playareas and even creating a“willow walk”.

Trish now has 20 years’experience in the buildingindustry and thrives ontackling major projects and“thrashing out technicaldetails” on site.

Being a woman in theindustry is a positiveadvantage, she feels.

“It is usually the lady of thehouse who instigates thework and drives it forward,”she says.

“They can sometimes findit daunting to deal with aman. They think theirquestions will be thought sillyor they will be given a lot oftechnical terms they don’tunderstand.”

Trish recalls the

patronising attitude of somemen when she began work.“I turned up at one firm to begreeted with: ‘Ay up love, areGrahams sending out girls,now?

“Today, if women turn upon site with a hard hat,hi-visibility jacket and safetyboots and show they have aprofessional manner,attitudes are much morepositive.”

Trish said she was keen tosee more young women gointo construction, but wouldnot favour special treatmentfor them.

She also believes thatwhen it comes to physicalstrength, women cannotcompete in lugging aroundbricks or heavy radiators.

However, she says womenhave other strengths – suchas persistence, goodcommunication skills and theability to work in a teamwithout their egos getting inthe way.

Trish is also aware that thetraditional image of thebuilder – drinking endlesscups of tea while getting verylittle work done – needs tobe dispelled.

She says she takes greatpains to ensure clients arehappy with the cost anddetails of each project beforework begins – and that thereare no nasty hidden extracosts.

She also aims to make

sure that if a job isscheduled to take six weeks,Jo Simon Homes will do it infour.

”We have a start date anda finish date, but I alwayslike to finish before that,”says Trish.

“Working on periodhouses will always throw upproblems you weren’texpecting. We monitorprogress as we go along andif necessary we will ‘throw’more people onto the projectto tackle it.”

The company has its ownin-house architect and drawson a trusted team of tradespeople who share acommitment to quality andhard work.

Jo Simon Homes is amember of the Federation ofMaster Builders, which alsoprovides a good measure ofreassurance for its clients.

The firm’s details areposted on the FMB websiteat www.fmb.org.uk

Trish played squash tocounty level before apersistent leg injury

persuaded to her to quit.Now she keeps fit at the gymand by “power walking”.

Trish and Simon also enjoymeals out and spending timeat family gatherings with their“fabulous” mums,mothers-in-law and otherrelatives.

She is also a huge fan ofher adopted home town,saying: “Huddersfield haseverything. It has qualitybuildings, scenery andremains a wealthy town.”

Trish finds herself too busywith work for much free time– but gets huge satisfactionfrom walking into a houseafter completing a projectand seeing the finishedproduct.

“You want your home to bea haven,” she says. “We aimto make sure it is just right forour clients.

“It is very satisfying tocreate something thatpleases people.”

■ HOUSE PROUD: Trish Nuttall, partner in Jo Simon Homes,enjoys the challenges involved in the construction industry

HENRYK ZIENTEK

VAT goes onlineIf your turnover is over £100,000 or youare registering for VAT after 1 April, thereare only two excuses for not doing yourVAT returns online:

1. You're subject to an insolvencyprocedure.

2. Your business is run entirely bypractising members of a religioussociety, whose beliefs prevent themfrom using computers!

If you’re not in either of these positions,you must submit your VAT Return onlineand pay your VAT electronically.To avoid penalties, register now atwww.hmrc.gov.uk or ask your accountantfor help.

The Revell Ward tip:Paying by direct debit means you get

extra time to pay.

Jennifer DaviesPartner

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal

Timing vital for spending plans These awardsare just the jobEMPLOYERS in Kirklees havebeen invited to enter a newregional awards schemedesigned to showcase theachievements of companies,partnerships and individuals whohave worked with Jobcentre Plusover the past year.Nominations are being soughtfrom companies of all sizes forthe Jobcentre Plus Awards 2010 –which recognise employers whohave helped change people’slives and made a vitalcontribution to the localcommunity through a successfulworking relationship withJobcentre Plus.Winners will be honoured at aregional awards ceremony onWednesday, July 14, in fivecategories – the RecruitmentPartnership Award, the YouthEmployment Award, the Diversityin Action Award, the SkillsDevelopment Award and the NewRecruit of the Year Award.There will also be an overallEmployer of the Year 2010 chosenfrom all the successful entries.Companies have until March 28 toenter the awards atwww.businesslink.gov.uk/jcpawards

Firms set forsummit eventBUSINESS issues will come underthe spotlight when Huddersfieldhosts the first Kirklees Summitlater this year.Leading figures from the businesscommunity will face an audienceof about 75 delegates in aquestion-and-answer session atthe event, which takes place onMay 27 at the town’s GalpharmStadium.The panel will comprise SimonHill, executive director forbusiness at regional developmentagency Yorkshire Forward; JillHague, area commercial directorfor HSBC in Kirklees andCalderdale; Andrew Hobson,managing director ofBirstall-based Fantastic Media;and Kevin Newson, senior partnerat Yorkshire Bank.The summit will run quarterlythroughout the year – with theother dates scheduled for Augustand November this year andFebruary and May, 2011. Eachsummit will involve a differentpanel chosen as relevant to thecurrent happenings in thebusiness world.The summits are being organisedby Mirfield-based corporateevents, recruitment and salescompany Hillrich Ltd.Managing director Danny Matharusaid: “All questions for the panelwill be requested prior to themeeting and those chosen will beasked on the night. Questions canbe on any aspect and issue ofbusiness within Kirklees.”Email [email protected]

TAXTALKColin Barratt

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

Agency’s designson job creationA GRADUATE from Hudders-field University is set to take on hisfirst employee – after securing afooting in the competitive world ofdesign and marketing.

Shaun Gilbert launched full ser-vice design and marketing com-pany Born Ready Design Ltd in2008 while on his final yearthrough the university’s BusinessMine.

Now he is set to recruit anemployee after being awarded a£1,000 grant from the university toinvestigate new opportunities forhis budding business.

Shaun made a splash with hisfinal year project, called CaptainMaria – The Quest, which aimed tomotivate children aged seven to 13to get involved in exercise andlearning.

The project, set aboard a pirateship, had children taking the role ofCaptain Maria’s crew on a quest tofind five elements.

During his final year, Shaun alsowon the contract to design andbuild a website for Deighton-basedorganisation the Parents of BlackChildren Association.

He has also worked for a leadingdesign agency on brands includingSpeedo, Gatecrashers and Sleep-masters.

After graduating in June lastyear, he created a full branding forHalifax restaurant Cactus Joe’s.

Since then, he has also workedon projects for Argento Steak-house and CIBO restaurant inHuddersfield.

At Argento, he tackled thebranding of the website, menus andmarketing material.

He has also won business as faraway as Nottingham – designingand marketing an upmarket beautysalon called The Abbey.

Shaun now works from theMedia Centre, NorthumberlandStreet.

He said: “My aim in 2010 is tocontinue working closely with cli-ents to build on our success and towin new business. I was awarded a£1,000 start-up grant from theBusiness Mine to put towardsdeveloping services further toassist restaurants.” ■ COLOURFUL: Shaun Gilbert, of Born Ready Designs, with two of his

creations

WE face an economy struggling torecover from “arguably the worst” eco-

nomic downturn in 60 years.There is a bitterly contested election on the

horizon as well as the prospect of a hung-parlia-ment, already announced tax increases, an immin-ent Budget and a possible post-election Budgetwith potential further tax changes.

Not surprisingly, it is difficult to say the least forbusinesses to time their capital expenditure in a tax

efficient manner.Recent comments have suggested that tax rates

on company profits may be reduced – but with theloss of a valuable capital allowance known as theAnnual Investment Allowance (AIA).

Since April, 2008, businesses of any size havebeen entitled to claim an AIA of up to £50,000 onmost capital expenditure, which will give them a100% tax write-off against profits.

The possible scrapping of the AIA may, for somebusinesses, lead to a tax rise instead.

For instance, a company whose profits exceed£1,500,000 would be taxed at a current rate of 28%.The AIA would save tax of £14,000 (£50,000 at28%).

If the AIA is abolished in favour of a reductionin the main rate of corporation tax to say 25% witha 20% writing down allowance given on qualifyingcapital expenditure, the tax relief on £50,000 ofexpenditure would then be £2,500.

A potential loss of tax of £11,500 would thenarise.

For companies whose profits are below £300,000and subject to the small companies’ tax rate of21%, an AIA of £50,000 would save tax of £10,500(£50,000 at 21%).

If the AIA is abolished and replaced by areduction in the tax rate to say 20% with a 20%writing down allowance given on qualifying cap-ital expenditure, the tax relief on £50,000 ofexpenditure would then only be worth £2,000,resulting in a potential loss of tax of £8,500.

Businesses whose year-end is March 31 or April30 and who are planning on significant capitaloutlay could obtain £100,000 capital allowances by

careful timing of their expenditure – £50,000before their year end and £50,000 immediatelyafter.

By bringing forward the expenditure, tax reliefwill also be obtained earlier.

Expenditure in excess of the AIA will ordinarilyqualify for a 20% writing down allowance.

But a temporary first year allowance (FYA) of40% is available for qualifying expenditureincurred in the 12 months ended March 31, 2010,for companies and April 5, 2010, for sole tradersand partnerships.

Broadly speaking, the FYA will be due on plantand machinery with a useful economic life of lessthan 25 years.

For those businesses planning significant capitalexpenditure in the next couple of months, it may beworth considering bringing forward the outlay inorder to secure the AIA before any possiblepost-election budget scrapping of the allowance.

W&SWheawill & Sudworth

“TAX STRATEGIES FOR ALL SEASONS”

Get some innovative thinking and ideasto help your business:

Remuneration planning for family companiesIncentivising key employeesNew structures for professional partnershipsTax breaks for capital and R&D investmentCGT mitigation on company sales

Contact Colin Barratt or Andrew Rainbowfor further details

Wheawill & SudworthChartered Accountants, Business & Tax Advisers,

Registered Auditors35 Westgate, Huddersfield, HD1 1PA

Tel 01484 423691 Fax 01484 518803W www.wheawills.co.uk

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local

BANKER’SBLOGJill Hague

Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdale and Kirklees

Big benefits byscaling down!KIRKLEES firms with big ideascould benefit by “small-scale”help from Huddersfield Uni-versity.

SMEs are being urged to con-sider how experts in the field ofnanotechnology could help themdevelop new products andimproved processes – to generatemore jobs and wealth.

Huddersfield University haslinked up with the universities ofLeeds, Bradford, York, Sheffieldand Sheffield Hallam to set up aNanofactory – and wants toforge partnerships with firmsinterested in making the most oflatest advances in nanotechno-logy.

The three-year project ispart-funded by regional develop-ment agency Yorkshire For-ward.

N a n o t e c h n o l o g y i s“small-scale science” thatenables the unique propertiesand behaviours of particles andmaterials to be applied in adiverse range of sectors – frommakers of medical devices andchemicals to engineering, foodtechnology and construction.

However, financing researchand development to drive nano-technology innovation forward isoften out of reach for SMEs.

As a result, the region’s SMEspending on research and devel-opment is three times lower thanthe national average.

Partnerships with Nanofact-ory universities will allow SMEsto explore this new area of tech-

nology and potentially apply fora range of external fundingopportunities – for exampleEuropean Union funding andTechnology Strategy Boardgrants.

Huddersfield University’s spe-ciality is in the field of surfacemeasurement – while other uni-versities in the partnership coverareas such as friction and wear,micro-moulding and electromic-roscopy.

Phil Harrison, of HuddersfieldUniversity, said its skills in sur-face measurement – ofteninvolving particles invisible tothe naked eye – could be used toimprove products ranging frommarine diesel engines to artificialhips and nail files.

He said: “British manufactur-ing has to make products moreaccurately and more cheaply ifwe are to maintain competitiveadvantage.

“We can help SMEs whichdon’t have the R&D skills, but dohave the ideas.

“As well as research and devel-opment, we can help them findfunding or put them in touchwith other businesses whichcould contribute as suppliers orthrough collaboration.”

Said Mr Harrison: “Betweenus, the universities have 6,000 to10,000 contacts – so we can cer-tainly help bring businessestogether.”

Mr Harrison, who spent 29years in manufacturing – includ-ing a spell of self-employment –

before joining the university, saidthe Nanofactory was currentlyworking on three specificproducts. One was market-readywhile the others would be in asimilar position in six months toa year.

“Every one of the universitiesare looking to pull in business,”he said. “The aim is to increasethe number of jobs in the region –either at existing companies orthrough inward investment.

“We have already helped set upa new company in Yorkshire –

and that business will generatetwo more companies. If we get tothe stage where we are helping tocreate a couple of companies ayear – and they employ even adozen people each – we will havedone a cracking job.”

Prof Richard Williams, Nan-ofactory director, said: “Nan-ofactory connects the knowledgeand expertise of academicresearchers with the needs andchallenges of companies in theregion.

“This offers a powerful com-bination and driver for innova-t i o n . A s a r e s u l t n e wfundamenta l and appl iedresearch programmes will bestimulated and leading uni-versity researchers will seek outfunding and partnerships todeliver these.

“This type of research basedactivity goes way beyond theusual consultancy support thatSMEs can access at universitiesand it aims to provide muchmore than short-term problemsolving.

“Nanotechnology doesn’thave to be the domain of largecompanies and multinationals –there are opportunities for allsizes of company.”

Trevor Shaw, executive dir-ector of finance at Yorkshire For-ward, said: “For the region, thisis a unique opportunity to boostspend on R&D and for universit-ies, it will allow them to deviseand deliver new research pro-grammes that have real impact.

Power of emerging marketsEMERGING market nations are the

most important contributors toglobal economic growth – and that’sofficial!

HSBC’s latest Emerging MarketsInsights report shows that the US andWestern Europe are no longer drivingglobal economic growth as economicpower shifts East.

As the world heaves itself out of theglobal crisis, emerging markets will con-tinue to lead the way, our recent reportpredicts.

The data suggests emerging markets’GDP will grow at 6.2% in 2010 compared to1.9% for developed economies.

China is the driving force behind much ofthe success.

Its policy of supporting infrastructureprojects, such as roads, railways and hospit-als has boosted the export earnings ofcountries which supply the commodities,many of them also emerging nations.

For China to maintain this rate of

growth, it is widely recognised thatdomestic consumption needs to be stimu-lated.

The Chinese have traditionally been highhousehold savers, but as the Chinese gov-ernment shifts expenditure into social wel-fare, consumers feel confident in saving lessand spending more, presenting opportunit-ies in virtually every sector.

The past few years have seen an increas-ing number of companies of all sizes suc-cessfully exporting to, and investing in,

emerging economies such as Chinaalthough understandably, trading overseascan seem extremely daunting to businessesnew to the market.

At HSBC we have a team of specialistsavailable to advise you on developing anappropriate strategy for your business tomitigate some of those risks.

For further details, or if you would like acopy of our Emerging Market InsightsReport, email [email protected]

Support intaxing timesTAXPAYERS could be “gifting” millions ofpounds to the government, a Huddersfieldchartered account has warned.

Michael Bell, partner at Michael Bell & Coin Holmfirth, said that under Self Assess-ment, each taxpayer is responsible for calcu-lating their own tax and claiming any taxoverpaid. But many of these income taxrepayments go unclaimed.

Now the accountancy firm is providing afree half-hour personal tax check at itsGreenfield Road offices to help set taxpayersstraight. The service will run until April 5, theend of the current tax year.

Said Mr Bell: “The personal tax system isincreasingly complicated and many peoplemay be paying too much tax. In particular,pensioners, employees who often changejobs, or even children could be worstaffected.”

The move follows reports from theNational Audit Office which calculated thatsome 1.5m pensioners have overpaid a totalof £250m in tax since 2002/03 – an average of£171 each. Older people may be paying moretax because they do not claim additionalage-related allowances and others becausethey did not have their savings income paidgross.

Mr Bell said: “Despite promises toincrease awareness of tax overpayments,Revenue & Customs does not have theresources to check every person’s tax bill.

“Although Revenue & Customs say thattheir performance has now improved, it isstill difficult to contact the tax man to checkyour income tax affairs.”

He added: “Revenue & Customs used tooffer a public service that ensured that every-one paid the correct amount of tax.

“Because of Self Assessment and cutbacksin staff resources each person is now left tocheck their own tax liability. This is often toocomplex and there is often very little helpfrom R&C contact centres.”

■ BIG PLANS: Phil Harrison,of Huddersfield University’sCentre for PrecisionTechnologies

Are you payingtoo much tax?Is this you, or someoneyou are responsible for:

* Pensioners* Employees changing jobs

* Children with saving income

You could be payingtoo much tax!

Call us before 5 April toarrange a FREE TAX CHECK to

discuss whether you haveoverpaid your income tax

Call Michael Bell & CoChartered Accountants

01484 690730

For more information contact Alec Michaelon 07717 870 320 or email [email protected]

IndustrialCommercial/retail

Industrial

To LeT / MAy seLL

622 Bradford Road, Batley1,258m2 (13,537 sq ft)

Highly prominent industrial premises with offices & selfcontained yard adjacent A652 Bradford Road.

To LeT – wiLL spLiT

Victoria Court, off wakefield Road,Clayton west8,000 – 16,000 sq ft

Recently re-built industrial units benefitting from large serviceyard and strategic location for Junctions 38 and 39 of the M1.

To LeT/MAy seLL

38 Dewsbury Road, ossett379 m2 (4,085 sq ft)

Single storey warehouse and offices with large secureyard less than two miles from junction 40 M1.

To LeT

Colne Road, Huddersfield90 m2 (970 sq ft)

Modern trade warehouse/starter unit onouter ring road adjacent Just Tyres andPlumb Centre just off Chapel Hill.

ALL eNQUiRies

New Highfield Mill Cleckheaton995 m2 (10,713 sq ft)

Well located industrial/engineering premises less than milefor J26 M62 (Cleckheaton).

FoR sALe

2 Moor Lane, Highburton, Huddersfield352 m2 (3,792 sq ft)

Prominently located former Co-op in centre of villagewith parking.

tel: 01484 530361www.bramleys.com

Joint Agent

FiNAL BiDs FRiDAy 19 MARCH

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property

Developer hails aproperty hat-trickA HAT-TRICK of deals has been securedat a Mirfield office park.

Three companies have taken space at thefour-acre Wheatley Park office complex,which has been developed by St JamesSecurities, of Leeds.

Camira Fabrics, which also has premisesat Meltham, has taken 13,000sq ft, whileinterior architecture company Normal TMhas taken 550sq ft and marketing con-sultancy Purebrand Creative Communica-tions has taken 1,200sq ft.

Lisa Fox, financial director of NormalTM, said: “We spent six months looking fornew office premises which offered a ruralsetting within the M62-M1 corridor andwith access to a train line providing asuitable link to London.

“Wheatley Park met with our require-ments and also provided the additionalbenefits of a modern office facility in abuilding of traditional character.

“Complementing the modern facilitieswithin the building, our staff work withinstone walls and barrel vaulted ceilings,creating an attractive and warm atmo-sphere.”

She said: “Despite the rural nature of thesite, there is a constant buzz of activity asthe park attracts horse riders and walkers

alike to the parkland beyond our officewindows. The rural activity, reclaimedbuilding and modern fit-out all sit well withour professional design philosophy.”

Simon Ryan, of Purebrand, said: “Thedecision to move out of Leeds after six yearswasn’t taken lightly.

“However, Wheatley Park offers the bestof both worlds – it’s a great location that’swell served by road and rail links, while atthe same time being amongst stunninglybeautiful countryside.”

He said: “This rural location, as well asthe character and charm of the develop-ment, also provides a wonderfully creativeenvironment that suits our business per-fectly.

“The days of having a city centre office tocreate a certain image have well and trulygone.”

Work is well under way on the parklandsite, transforming old buildings dating fromthe late 18th and early 19th century intohigh-quality modern offices.

The first refurbishment is now completeand the work to a second , called the 1812Building, is continuing.

The agents for Wheatley Park are Han-son Chartered Surveyors, of Huddersfield,and Michael Steel & Co, of Leeds.

■ FLOOR PLAN: Representing the new tenants at therenovated water mill at Wheatley Park, Mirfield are (from top) PaulGoodall, of Camira Fabrics; Simon Ryan, of Purebrand; and LisaFox and Darren Newby, both of Normal TM

Pavingthe wayfor a topawardA COMPANY inHuddersfield is paving theway to further success.

Lockwood-basedSpectacular Driveways UKLtd has been nominated foran award at the World ofPaving Exhibition, whichtakes place on March 24and 25 in Coventry.

The exhibition is the firstnational event dedicated tothe paving industry.

Spectacular Driveways,which has premises atAlbert Street, has beenshortlisted for the use of itspattern imprinted concreteon a project undertaken bythe firm in Edgerton.

The work involved 250sqmetres of pattern imprintedconcrete incorporating twopatterns – walkway slateand Cheshire cobble. Thecolour used – limestone witha charcoal release – gave aYork stone effect.

Managing director JohnQuinn said: “We areprivileged to be put forward.The invitation gives us greatreward for the business wehave built up over the past12 years.”

LAND

OFFICES

INDUSTRIAL

INVESTMENT

RETAIL

T. 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)■ Vacant possession■ Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent












■ industrial

■ offices

■ retail

■ investment

■ land

LUCK LANE, HUDDERSFIELD, HD3 4ABTo Let £400 p/w

● 76.08m² (819ft²) & 20 - 25 Sales pitches

● Established trading position

● Prominent location

● 2 Miles from Huddersfield town centre

car sales pitch

OLD WAKEFIELD ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD5 8AATo Let £6,250 p/a

● 50.16sqm (540sq ft)

● Prominent Main Road Position

● Double Fronted

● Rateable Value £4,850

retail

CLOTH HALL STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 2EGTo Let From £9,000 p/a

● 98.62 - 198.53sqm (1,061 - 2,037sqft)

● Recently refurbished

● Open Plan

● Self contained

offices

NEW STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 2AXTo Let £17,500 p/a

● 413.52sqm (4,447sqft)

● Prominent location

● Grade II listed building

● Main commercial area of Huddersfield

office/leisure premises

COLNE VALE BUSINESS PARK, MILNSBRIDGE, HD3 4NYTo Let Rent On Application

● 444.37sqm (4,783sqft)● 3 Phase Electricity

● Popular Industrial Location

● Good Access for Loading

● 666sqft Also Available

workshop / warehouse

DALE STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, HD3 4TGTo Let £14,500 p/a

● 390.51sqm (4,203sqft)

● Good car parking

● 2 Loading doors

● Rateable value £12,500

industrial unit

NORTHUMBERLANDST, HUDDERSFIELD,

HD1 1PLFor Sale £600,000

● 1,729.28sqm(18,614sqft)

● Former music school

● Suitable for a variety of

office, commercial,

community uses, subject to

planning

prominent town centre building

THIRSTIN ROAD,HUDDERSFIELD, HD9

6JGTo Let £30,000 p/a

● 268sqm (2,883sq ft)

● Dedicated car parking

● Pleasant location

● Prominent position on the

outskirts of Honley

high quality offices

MANCHESTER ROAD,HUDDERSFIELD, HD4

5TATo Let £32,500 p/a

● 1,314sqm (14,149sqft)

● Main road frontage

● Will split

● 3 Miles from Huddersfield

town centre

industrial complex

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers

Jo North

East CoastTRAIN operator East Coast has appointed JoNorth as customer service director.

Ms North joins East Coast from her post ascommercial director at Northern Rail. Shesucceeds Denise Lennos, who steps down fromher role to pursue other interests.

Karen Boswell, managing director of EastCoast, said Ms North was joining the organisationat a “pivotal moment”. East Coast took over theroute from franchise holder National Express.

Under its remit, East Coast has two yearsbefore the franchise is re-let to the private sector.During that time, East Coast has the task ofbuilding on the previous achievements inday-to-day performance and delivering investmentin stations, trains, technology and staff.

Ms North, 40, will take board responsibility forthe company’s internal and externalcommunications. She has held her post withNorthern Rail for more than three years.

James Newman

FinanceYorkshireA NEW investment fund has named its board ofdirectors.

Finance Yorkshire has appointed JamesNewman (front, right) as chairman to lead theteam.

Finance Yorkshire is a £90m regional ventureand capital loan fund launched by YorkshireForward. it will invest in businesses across regionto support their growth and development. It is setto complete a four-year investment phase byDecember, 2013.

The fund will build on the success of thePartnership Investment Fund and South YorkshireInvestment Fund, which have now completed theirinvestment phases. It will provide cross-regionalaccess to finance support for the first time for allqualifying businesses.

Mr Newman already has a portfolio ofnon-executive directorships, including withinternational consultancy Scott Wilson Group plcand Dignity plc, the UK's largest independentprovider of funeral services, which includesHighfield Funeral Services in Huddersfield.

He is also chairman of AIM-listed Brulines,Straight and Infoserve as well as being deputychairman of the Governors at Sheffield HallamUniversity. Until December, 2009, Mr Newman wasalso deputy chairman of PIF and chairman of itsInvestment Advisory Panel.

Other appointments (also pictured) include DrIan Kelly, chief executive of the Hull and HumberChamber of Commerce; Peter Myers, chiefexecutive of West Yorkshire Tourism; AlexMcWhirter, assistant director of business atYorkshire Forward; David Bagley, a longestablished member of the corporate financecommunity in Leeds; Jennie Adams, a formerstockbroker, from Scarborough; Tony Parsons,formerly of SYIF; and PIF chairman John Watson

Mr Newman said: “Besides providing directsupport to businesses and a boost to the regionaleconomic development, the new fund will generatea significant legacy from returns to support futuresustainability. We see the fund helping to establishmany new businesses and create and safeguardthousands of jobs for the region.”

Michael playsa straight batCRICKETERMichael Vaughanheads the line-up ata dinner inHuddersfield laterthis month.

The formerEngland andYorkshire skipper isguest speaker at theannual dinner of theHuddersfieldSociety ofCharteredAccountants, which place on Thursday,March 25, at the Galpharm Stadium.

Michael (pictured) began playingprofessional cricket at the age of 17 andmade his Test debut for England in 1999.The following year, he scored his first Testcentury against Pakistan.

He was appointed captain of England in2003 – the same year in which he wasnamed Wisden Cricketer of the Year andreached the top of the world rankings.

In 2005, Michael captained the team thatreclaimed the Ashes in an historic seriesagainst Australia and he was awarded theOBE. His final total of 26 wins makes himthe most successful England test captainof all time.

The batting order for the annual dinneralso includes businessman and formerHuddersfield Town chairman GrahamLeslie.

Members of Black Dyke Band will alsotake part with soprano Sarah Ogden andBlack Dyke’s principal conductor andmusical director Dr Nicholas Childs.

Andrew Rogers, president of the society,said: “The line-up for the evening willprovide a feast of entertainment. I amlooking forward to renewing acquaintancewith many friends and colleagues.

“The society’s dinner is always of a veryhigh standard and offers professionals inthe Huddersfield area a chance to meetand discuss current issues in a relaxed andconvivial environment.”

That’s a deal – thanks to Jill

BUSINESSWOMAN Jill Evans is a verybusy networker.

Now her efforts to generate businessopportunities for local enterprises haveearned her regional recognition.

Jill, of Birkby-based creative agencythe Planet Group, won the award forbest business networker in the region ata glittering ceremony hosted byBusiness Networking International.

The award came after Jill generated58 genuine business opportunities forother Huddersfield business peopleattending BNI meetings.

Said Jill: “At Planet Group we set veryhigh standards for ourselves ineverything we do. We make sure thatour clients receive the best servicepossible.

“I just apply the same principles to mybusiness networking. It’s a fantasticfeeling when you’ve worked hard andfound a great referral for someone elsethat you know will lead to some really

good business for them.Businesses to benefited from Jill’s

networking skills include the Pain ReliefCentre, based at Longley. Manager andowner Georgie Oldfield said: “Jill hasbrought me 10 new clients in the pastyear. That’s a fantastic result and it’sgreat to have someone like Jill lookingfor potential clients for me.”

Simon Garforth, managing director ofNewsome removers TMTY, remembersJill passing him a great bit of business.“Jill knew someone who was relocatingto Dubai and recommended TMTY tothem and we got the job,” he said. “Weprobably wouldn’t have got this work hadit not been for Jill.”

BNI has been going for 25 years andhas about 15,000 members in the UK &Ireland.

In 2009, BNI members passed659,066 referrals – word of mouthrecommendations – generating £230mworth of business

■ NETWORKING: Jill Evans, brand guardian for the Planet Group, receives heraward from Charlie Lawson, co-national director for BNI UK and Ireland

Award winneris highly mobileA COMPANY focusing on mobiledigital advertising has landedanother award.

Media Displays Ltd has beennamed Business of the Month in thecompetition run by Huddersfieldlaw firm Eaton Smith in conjunc-tion with the Lockwood-based MidYorkshire Chamber of Commerce..

The latest accolade follows theWakefield-based company beingnamed New Business of the Year in2004 in the Wakefield First Awards.Founder Ian Taylor was alsoacclaimed as Entrepreneur of theYear.

Media Displays provides mobileTV vehicles and mobile TV bikes tohelp clients create strong brandawareness – and improve sales.

Mr Taylor and colleagues RyanTaylor and David Littlewoodreceived the Business of the Year

Award from Alison Palmer, a part-ner at Eaton Smith.

Ian Taylor said: “Who said creat-ing a business was going to beeasy? In Yorkshire, we grit our teeth,use our energy, develop our skillsand push the boundaries.

“At Media Displays, we are usingand developing new technology,building eco-friendly advertisingsolutions, coupled with sheer hardwork, entrepreneurial spirit anddetermination.

“The Eaton Smith Business of theMonth Award recognises the fant-astic continuing efforts from theteam at Media Displays and rein-forces the true value of recruitingour people and retaining our rootswithin the Yorkshire Region.”

For details of the award go towww.eatonsmith.co.uk or contactIan Greenwood on 01484 821389

■ TOP PRIZE: Alison Palmer (centre), partner at EatonSmith, presents the award to Ian Taylor (third right), RyanTaylor (second right) and David Littlewood (right), ofMedia Displays Ltd, with (from right) KathrynShuttleworth, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber ofCommerce; Alan Care, of Business Link; PhilStephenson, of HSBC; and Paul Andrew, of WalkerSingleton

Kirklees Business News, 16th March 2010

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Transcript of Kirklees Business News, 16th March 2010