KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees18, May, 2010

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Recession fails tostop job creation

GILES CLIFFE MICHELLE GEEHe’s a true town fan!

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Telev is ion appearances

Stor y - Page 8

FTSE 100-0.31

5262.54An EXAMINER publication

Region’s law firms take dim view of prospects

GrowinggreenerKIRKLEES firmsopened the door to newsales worth £500,000 ata buying event inYorkshire.Businesses providingsustainable productsand services metpotential buyers at theNorthern SourcingSustainable Solutionsevent – broughttogether buyers andsuppliers from acrossthe North of England.

‘Sheds’ indemandDEMAND is rising forlarge warehouses andindustrial “sheds” inYorkshire, says aproperty expert – aswould-be buyers seekdeals on premises builtspeculatively acrossthe region during the“boom” years.

YORKSHIRE law firms are pessim-istic about prospects for expandingtheir businesses in 2010, says a newsurvey.

Findings from the Law Society showthat law firms across the region expectto see little or no growth this year –while the challenging industry envir-onment has caused many of them toreview their workforce and changetheir way of operating.

The survey, sponsored by Lloyds

TSB Commercial, showed that netprofit per equity partner fell by 24% in2009 against the previous year. Thiscorresponded with a near-9% reduc-tion in staffing levels.

Craig Bennett, senior manager forspecialist markets at Lloyds TSB Com-mercial in Yorkshire, said: “Turbulenteconomic conditions and the regulat-ory and competitive changes con-tained in the Legal Services Act havecombined to redefine the legal land-

scape. This presents a number of chal-lenges and opportunities.

“There is no doubt legal firms haveseen difficult conditions in 2009.However, this looks to be improvingwith the majority predicting a broadlystatic year in 2010.

“In response to these challengingeconomic conditions and an evolvingregulatory environment many firmshave adopted slimmer business mod-els, paving the way for a return to

better fortunes in the current year.”Mr Bennett said Lloyds TSB Com-

mercial had increased lending to thelegal sector by 6% year-on-year,adding: “We want our solicitor cus-tomers to be ready to benefit from theupturn.”

Among other findings, the surveyshowed a 6.5% fall in median practicefee income last year and noted thatshort-time working had been adoptedby many firms.

A COMPANY providing employmentfor disabled people has drummed upmore jobs in Yorkshire, it emergedtoday.

While many employers were shed-ding jobs last year, specialist employ-ment service Remploy secured an extra19% posts across the region for peoplewith disabilities and health condi-tions.

The latest figure of 893 for the past12 months compares with 752 acrossthe county during the previous year –and was achieved despite the UKeconomy being in deep recession.

Tom Jackson, Remploy’s regionaldirector for Yorkshire and thenorth-east, said: “These remarkablefigures have been achieved in a verydifficult economic climate and a con-tracting labour market.

“They are a testament to our expert-ise in supporting those furthest fromthe labour market into sustainablejobs.”

More than 75% of the people sup-ported into a job by Remploy havebeen out of work for more than ayear.

Nationally, the company found10,500 jobs in the last 12 months – anincrease of 31% on the previous year.

Remploy has a factory at TandemIndustrial Estate, Waterloo, in Hud-dersfield, which makes car headrestsand seat covers for a range of vehiclemanufacturers.

It also helps place disabled peoplewith mainstream employers.

Said Mr Jackson: “Our strong rela-tionships with employer partners suchas ASDA, Morrison’s and Sainsbury’sare crucial to our continuing success inYorkshire.

“We work closely with them to makesure we find the right person for theright job.”

And he added: “Behind theseimpressive figures lies an even moreimportant story – our ability to helppeople to transform their lives throughthe social and financial benefits whicha job brings.”

By 2012-13, Remploy – which issupported by government funding –aims to be finding more than 30,000jobs each year for people with disabil-ities and health conditions.

The company operates a nationalnetwork of 34 town and city centrerecruitment branches and officesproviding specialist recruitment anddevelopment services to job seekers.

It is partners with more than 3,000of the country’s biggest employersincluding BT, Asda, Royal Mail,Sainsbury’s, the NHS and Marks &Spencer.

The firm also has a national net-work of 54 factories, employs 3,000people and is the country’s largestspecialist employer of people with dis-abilities and health conditions.

Its factories make items rangingfrom chemical and biological protec-tion suits for the police and armedforces to car interiors and furniture forschools and colleges.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

Local shares

FTSE closed at

5262.5Down 0.31

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.55 dollarsBangladesh................... 93.94 takaBrazil.............................. 2.31 realsCanada....................... 1.42 dollarsChina ............................. 8.78 yuanCzech Republic ...... 27.43 korunasDenmark....................... 8.28 kroneEuro............................... 1.12 euroHong Kong................ 10.64 dollarsHungary ................... 291.67 forintsIndia.......................... 57.97 rupeesJapan........................... 126.15 yenMexico ....................... 16.30 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.91 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.60 kronePakistan.................. 114.20 rupeesPhilippines ................. 55.62 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.22 randSouth Korea.............. 1446.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 154.35 rupeesSweden....................... 10.70 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.56 francsTaiwan ...................... 39.93 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.10 new liraUSA ............................ 1.37 dollars

Carclo 139Chapelthorpe 211/2Marshalls 98National Grid 6171/2 -1/2RensburgSheppards

7931/2 -20

Weir Gp 964 -27

Boots earnings top £1bnHIGH stree retailer Alliance Bootspushed profits above £1bn for the firsttime and mapped out growth plansdespite “challenging” conditions.

The pharmacist and wholesalerposted trading profits of £1.07bn inthe year to March 31 – up by 12.7% ona year earlier – helped by the launch ofnew skincare products.

The firm, which has stores at KingStreet and Great Northern RetailPark in Huddersfield, expects con-sumer trading across Europe toremain “subdued” but is banking on aseries of tie-ups with other businessesto boost revenues.

Boots is poised to launch a newchildren’s clothing range from Moth-ercare and is piloting the sale of healthand beauty products in selectedWaitrose stores while selling thesupermarket’s food in its own out-lets.

Executive chairman Stefano Pess-ina said: “We are increasingly estab-lishing strategic partnerships withother leading businesses to accelerateour development, both in the UK andother markets.”

The firm is the third UK retailer topost profits of more than £1bn behindTesco and Marks & Spencer.

Prudential presseson with cash call

Deficit worries for Carluccio’sRESTAURANT chain Carluccio’ssaid the “dramatic” action loomingto slash the UK deficit had cast ashadow over trading prospects.

The group, which lifted pre-taxprofits by 8% to £2.7m in the 26weeks to March 28, said the climatewas “likely to remain difficult topredict and uncertain in the nearterm”.

It said: “The impact of a coalitiongovernment following the outcomeof the general election and the needto take dramatic action to reduce thebudget deficit will only add to thisclimate of uncertainty.”

The group said its business –

which serves 140,000 customers aweek – was proving “extremely resi-lient” with cash balances improveddespite the return of VAT to 17.5% inJanuary.

Although Carluccio’s has a lowaverage spend of £13 per customer,VAT is seen as a prime target for ahike to tackle the deficit – with apossible rise to 20% putting furtherupward pressure on its prices.

Managing director Simon Kossoffsaid a move to 20% would add about50p to 60p to the bill for a coupledining at Carluccio’s – but stressedthat the rise would be seen acrossrivals as well.

Insurer injobs driveINSURANCE andinvestment firm LV= haslaunched a drive torecruit 300 staff.

The owner ofHuddersfield-basedroadside vehiclerecovery businessBritannia Rescue, isfocusing its jobs drive inHuddersfield, Bristol,Bournemouth andLondon.

Many of the roles willbe based in the generalinsurance division andinclude positions insales, customer services,claims and technicalmanagement.

LV= announced inMarch plans to create 75jobs by setting up aninsurance call centre inthe renovated Folly HallMills at Folly Hall.

GroundedSIR SteliosHaji-Ioannou’s plans fora shareholder uprising ateasyJet were dealt ablow after a majorinvestor backed theairline’s management.

Standard Life, whose9.45% stake in thecompany is the largestbehind the Haji-Ioannoufamily, said it did notshare his criticism of thegrowth strategy at theairline, which has 189planes and another 59on order.

Sir Stelios had wantedeasyJet to focus more onprofit margins and saidlack of progress in termsof share price anddividends supported hiscalls for change.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £27.85 -0.36Gannett 1091.98 -2.08Hess Corp £37.58 -1.33Microsoft 1981.26 -27.07Motors Liquidation 52.07Wal-Mart Stores £36.30 +0.12

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 1041/2 +1/2BAE Systems 3303/8 -11/2Rolls-Royce Gp 5931/2 -11VT Group 745 -31/2

AIMBrady Plc 611/2 +1/2Dawson Intl 21/4

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 1323/8 -2

BANKSBarclays 3043/4 -41/4HSBC 6491/8 +15/8Lloyds Banking Gp 571/4 -3/8Ryl Scotland 463/4 -1/2Stan Chart 1691 +69

BEVERAGESDiageo 1096 +6SABMiller £201/8 +1/8

CHEMICALSCroda 940 -291/2Elementis 98 64Johnsn Mat 1642 -14

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2581/2 -57/8Costain 214 -11

ELECTRICITYDrax Grp 3293/4Intl Power 3095/8 -33/4

Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1083 +1

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTChloride 2933/4 -3/4Laird 1245/8 -15/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3285/8 +3/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1275/8 -23/4Cable & WirelessComm

601/2 +1/8

Cable & WirelessWwide

837/8 +17/8

Colt Telecom 1181/4 -2KCOM 45 -13/4Talktalk Telecom 1231/8 -17/8

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 268 -11/4Sainsbury 329 -27/8Tesco 4167/8 +4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 965 +3Nth Foods 493/4Tate Lyle 4465/8 +31/4Unilever 1885 +1Uniq 171/4 -1/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 2841/2 +15/8National Grid 6171/2 -1/2Pennon Grp 4971/4 -1/4Severn 1136 +8United Utils 524 +21/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2781/4 +41/8ICAP 3711/4 +1/4London StockExch 6491/2 +131/2Man Group 2017/8 -195/8

Provident Financial 831 -61/2Schroders 1363 -29Schroders NV 1075 -21

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 515 -41/2REXAM 3133/8 -1/8Smiths Grp 1091 -6

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 133/4 +1/4Carphone Whse 1931/2 +31/4DSG International 28Home Retail 275Inchcape 3281/8 +67/8Kingfisher 2251/4 -1/4M & S 3361/4 -13/4Mothercare 5661/2 -10Next £211/2 -1/8WH Smith 4741/4 -103/4

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 651

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 102 -2Barrat Dev 1161/4 -53/4Persimmon 4401/8 -81/2Reckitt Benckiser £33 -1/8Taylor Wimpey 347/8 -11/4

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 7401/2 -191/2Delta 1851/4I M I 680 -31/2Man Brnze 501/4 -1/4

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 2683/8 -153/4

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 2003/4 -31/4Forth Ports 1303 -7

LIFE INSURANCE

Aviva 317 -97/8Lgl & Gen 773/4 -13/8Old Mutual 1175/8 -21/4Prudential 5341/2 -8Resolution 653/4 -13/8Standard Life 1871/4 -3

MEDIABSkyB 5831/2 -11/2Chrysalis 102D Mail Tst 498 -31/2ITV 58 -1Johnston Press 223/4 -13/4Pearson 9821/2 -1Reed Elsevier 4961/8 -17/8STV Group 1001/2 +3/4Trinity Mirror 1123/4 +3/8Utd Business 5301/2 -2UTV 1391/2 -1/2WPP 6671/2 -11/2Yell Group 471/8

MININGAnglo American £26 -1/8Antofagasta 887 -15BHP Billiton 18951/2 -19Eurasian NaturalRes

1046 -11

Fresnillo 875 -12Kazakhmys 1201 -35Lonmin 1707 +14Rio Tinto £311/8 -1VEDANTARESOURCES

£231/2 -3/8

Xstrata 9883/4 -203/4MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 7721/2 +1/2Vodafone Group 1363/8 +17/8

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1293 +6RSA Insurance Gp 1183/4 -17/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 10361/2 +81/2BP 5297/8 -1/4Cairn Energy 3953/8 +51/2Norsk Hdro 5117/8Royal Dutch Shell A 18561/2 +3Royal Dutch Shell B 17841/2 +5Total £327/8 +1/8Tullow Oil 1113 +5

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 8361/2 +71/2Petrofac 1093 -10Wood Group 3591/4 -13/8

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry 700 +4PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £29 +1/4Axis-Shield 3103/4 +63/4

GlaxoSmithK XD 13Shire 1448 +19

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4331/4 +91/8Captl Shop Cent 3381/8 -4DTZ Hldgs 731/4 +1/4Hamrsn 3521/2 +41/2Land Secs 620 +91/2SEGRO 2805/8 +21/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1785 +6Dimension Data 1001/4 -23/4Invensys 3047/8 -57/8Logica 1293/8 -33/4Misys 2317/8 +1/2Sage Group 236 +1/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBunzl 7421/2 -31/2Capita 8041/2 -5Davis ServiceGroup

4051/8 -3

De La Rue 9051/2 -5Electrocomp 2251/2 -11/8Experian 591 +151/2G4S 268 -43/8Hays 1091/4 +1/2Homeserve 1949 +6Menzies J 359 -15Rentokil 124 -1Smiths News 1201/4 +1/2Wolseley 1685 -3

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 2473/4 +61/4Psion 811/2 -11/2Spirent Comms 1081/8 -3/4

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £203/8 +1/8Imperial Tobacco 1817 -7

LEISURE & HOTELS

Arriva 764 +11/2Brit Airways 2001/2 -23/8Carnival £27Compass Grp 547 -3easyJet 391 -243/4Enterprise Inns 1227/8 -5FirstGroup 380 -71/8Go-Ahead 1360 -22Greene King 411 -1/8Intercontl Htls 1128 -3Ladbrokes 1481/2 -11/2Mitchells & Butlers 2993/4 -37/8Natl Express 233 -7PartyGaming 2901/4 +11/4Rank Org 1171/4 +1Stagecoach Group 1853/4 -47/8TUI Travel 2481/8 -73/8Whitbread 1405 -2

INDEXFTSE 100 5262.54 -0.31

INDEXFTSE 250 9932.03 -90.87

PRUDENTIAL has launched theUK’s biggest ever rights issue – as itlooks to fund the controversial acquis-ition of AIG Group’s Asia business.

The £14.5bn cash call should havebeen launched two weeks ago, but wasdelayed after the Financial ServicesAuthority raised concerns about thecapital strength of the enlarged com-pany.

The takeover will give Pru about 30mcustomers in Asia and see the Asianoperation become by far the group’sbiggest division – contributing about60% of new business profit.

The Pru has restructured the dealfollowing the FSA’s intervention, buthas faced criticism from some share-holders that the planned move is toorisky and expensive.

Chief executive Tidjane Thiam saidthe launch of the 1,000-page prospectusfor the rights issue gave the company abetter platform to step up the process ofwinning over shareholders ahead of avote on the takeover in June.

He said: “The combined businesswill be a fast growing and highly profit-able company, with a leading positionin many of the most attractive marketsin the world.”

Mr Thiam did not comment on spec-ulation that the takeover will lead to thedisposal of the company’s UK opera-tion.

The offer price for the new shares inthe rights issue represents a 40% dis-count to the prevailing market price.

Prudential highlighted the growthprospects of the combined business

today when it published record firstquarter new business figures.

It said that the AIG Group’s Asianbusiness – AIA – lifted sales and profitsby 16% and 32% respectively over thesame period.

Sales for the Pru in Asia were 30%higher at £359m against 7% growth to

£193m in the UK. New business profitrose by 35% to £183m in Asia and by15% to £69m in the UK.

Growth in the UK came from highersales of corporate pensions and protec-tion products.

If the deal goes through, the Pru willbecome the largest foreign insurer inAsia and the largest player in HongKong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia,Vietnam, Thailand and the Philip-pines.

Panmure Gordon analyst BarrieCornes has a buy rating on the stock,despite the possibility that it may fail toget three-quarters of the vote on June 7,adding: “We believe that there is andhas always been a strong strategic logicto the deal with only the price andexecution being our concern.”

■ EASTERN PROMISEL: Prudentialaims to be a bigger player in Asia

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

Giles Cliffe

SimpsonWood

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Senior partnerAge: 47Holidays: ItalyCar: Volvo XC60First job: Helping myfather’s law firm ofCartwright Cliffe & Comove offices from ClothHall Street to RailwayStreetBest thing aboutjob: Building relation-ships with clients andcolleaguesWorst thing aboutjob: Constantly chan-ging regulationsBusiness tip: Maketime to consider whereyou want your businessto be in five years time,how you build the valueof your business andhow you ultimately real-ise that value

Work: Charteredaccountancy andchartered tax advisersSite: Huddersfield andPenistoneEmployees: 35Phone: 01484534431Email: enquiries@simpson-wood.co.uk

Homedraw forTown fanGiles

HOME is where the heartis for chartered accountantGiles Cliffe.

The Huddersfield-bornsenior partner at SimpsonWood trained inaccountancy with aManchester firm – but afterthree years in the cityjumped at the chance toreturn to our side of thePennines.

“I had a three-yeartraining contract withBinder Hamlyn inManchester,” recalls Giles.

“They were a nationaland international firm andwhile it provided me with agood grounding, it was notreally my sort ofenvironment.

“It was a big firm with abig firm mentality and verylarge clients.

“You had far lesspersonal involvement withyour clients than you wouldwith a firm the size ofSimpson Wood and farless rapport with yourcolleagues because therewere so many of us.

“I wanted a firm wherepeople matter and Iwanted to come back toHuddersfield.”

The opportunity wasprovided by DavidSimpson, senior partner aySimpson Wood, whooffered Giles a job in 1988.

Said Giles: “I had aholiday job here severalyears before and I knewDavid and had a lot ofrespect for him.”

Giles was made apartner at Simpson Woodin 1994 and becamesenior partner in 2005 atthe Market Street firmwhen incumbent JulianHoldroyd retired.

The firm providesbusiness advice to aclientele mainly made up

of owner-managedbusinesses.

Along with tax planningunder tax partner PeterSykes and will-writing andinheritance tax issuesheaded by Mike Nicholas,the firm provides servicessuch as audit andaccounts, personal taxreturns, payroll and helpingbusinesses with forecasts,acquisitions and disposals.

It also works alongsideSimpson Wood (FinancialServices) Ltd, which is ledby Neil Duthie and providespension and investmentadvice.

Giles said companieshad largely weathered therecession, explaining:“Businesses have haddifficulty obtaining fundsand have had to shelveplans for expansion infavour of concentrating onsurvival and ensuring theyare still in business whenthe recession comes to aclose.

“While the recession istechnically over, I thinkmany local business peoplewould dispute that opinion.

“They have been cuttingout the costs as far aspossible and concentratingon running the business.”

Says Giles: “There is alittle bit more optimismaround, but there are alsofears about what is going tohappen in the next fewyears in terms of tax.

“So clients are coming tous to see how they can bestweather the storm andensure they can retain asmuch money as possible touse in their businesses.”

Giles admits thatchartered accountancy wasnot an obvious careerchoice – and that hisuniversity degree did notobviously equip him for theworld of finance.

He was brought up inCrosland Moor and took hisA-levels at HuddersfieldNew College beforestudying classics atCambridge University.

“I studied classics, whichI absolutely loved,” he says.“But I didn’t see myself asan academic or teachingLatin to schoolboys.”

A visit to the careers

department put him onthe track of accountancy– and he has neverregretted it.

“The best thing aboutit is the variety of work,”he says. “You aredealing with a widerange of clients fromsmall one-man bands tomulti-million poundturnover companies.

“That appealed to mefrom the start and Ipositively enjoy thatvariety and therelationships I have withclients and colleagues.”

He adds: “Businessesin Huddersfield want todeal with someone theycan trust and with whomthey can form along-term professionalrelationship.

“They like dealing witha firm which is similar insize to their own andthey value the continuitythey get in dealing withthe same partner andstaff – something a bigaccountancy firm cannotprovide.”

Says Giles: “The localeconomy has becomemuch more varied than itwas when the textilesand engineering sectorshad their hey day.

“Our client basereflects that. We used tobe heavily centredaround the traditionalindustries, but now wehave a wide variety ofbusinesses doing allsorts of things.

“And while they don’talways shout about whatthey do, they are oftenvery successful doing it!”

Away from work, Gilesplays cricket atBirchencliffe and squashat Royds Hall, Paddock.

He is also a lifelong

Town fan – and isnervously following theclub’s progress in theplay-offs.

Giles is also a trustee ofa local charity formed tohelp people in need anddistress.

And with an abiding loveof the classics, he alsoenjoys holidays to Italy tovisit its ancient ruins.

■ TOWN SUPPORTER: Giles Cliffe, senior partner atSimpson Wood, says local companies are becoming moreoptimistic – despite uncertainty about the UK economy

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KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Legal notice for2010 awardsLEGAL professionals in Kirkleeshave been urged to enter the LawSociety’s Excellence Awards.The annual competition recognisesand rewards the most outstandingpractitioners in the legalprofessions. It is open to individualsand teams across the entire legalsector, not just solicitors.Award categories include legalexecutive, advocate, junior lawyer orsolicitor of the year for in-house orprivate practice as well as legalbusiness woman of the year.Teams are encouraged to competefor awards in client service,innovation, equality and diversity,environmental responsibility,marketing and businessdevelopment, practice management,exporting legal services andcommunity investment.The 2010 awards will also see theintroduction of the Law SocietyGazette's legal personality of theyear award.Law Society vice-president LindaLee said: “Winning a Law SocietyExcellence Award is a hugeachievement and brings greatrecognition for individuals andfirms. The awards reflect the LawSociety's commitment to celebratingexcellence in the legal profession."Now is the time for the professionto put aside their modesty andsubmit a nomination.”The closing date for entries isAugust 20. For details and todownload a nomination form visitwww.lawsociety.org.uk/excellenceawards

CVAs becomemore popularINSOLVENCY experts areincreasingly in favour ofalternatives to administration forstruggling firms, a survey hasrevealed.A poll by PricewaterhouseCoopersshows that 85% of more than 70 toprestructuring lawyers believe thatcompany voluntary arrangementshave become more popular over thelast two years.Steve Ellis, recovery servicespartner in Yorkshire for PwC, said:“Both schemes and CVAs have animportant place in restructurings –with CVAs particularly becomingincreasingly popular in recentyears.“These alternative restructuringprocesses have become morewidely accepted by a morepragmatic creditor base given theincreased financial pressure oncompanies and the desire to avoidusing administration.”Mr Ellis said that in periods ofuncertainty, CVAs had the attractionof allowing a wider group ofstakeholders – includingshareholders – to keep their optionsmore fully open.

Hotel gets a birthday make-overA HOTEL at Brighouse has made bigchanges.

The Holiday Inn has been given aspruce-up as part of a worldwide refur-bishment programme by its parentInterContinental Hotels Group.

The changes include new signs, musicand even a “signature” scent in thelobby.

In addition, 400 pillows, 288 sqmetres of carpet and 94 shower curtainshave been changed in the 94 rooms atthe hotel along with 380 sq metres ofcarpet in the public areas.

To improve the level of service stillfurther, the hotel staff have undertakena training programme called StayReal.

The focus of the training has been oncoaching the team to respond moreefficiently to guest requests and under-standing the need for a positiveapproach.

Louise Dodd (pictured, right), gen-eral manager of the hotel, said: ‘We aredelighted that we are now able tore-launch our property as a refreshedHoliday Inn especially as it coincideswith our 21st birthday.”

The hotel is staging a re-launch partyon May 25 when employees AndrewWilliamson and Margaret Fisher – whohave worked at the hotel since the day itopened – will be hoisting new HolidayInn flags.

Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band

will also help the celebrations go with aswing.

Among its facilities, the hotelincludes a restaurant, a bar lounge, afully equipped Spirit Health Club, aswimming pool, sauna, spa pool andsteam room and summertime croquetlawn.

InterContinental is the world'slargest hotel group by number ofrooms.

It includes more than 4,300 hotelswith 630,000 guest rooms in almost 100countries.

The company owns hotel brandsincluding Holiday Inn, InterContin-ental Hotels & Resorts and CrownePlaza Hotels & Resorts.

Bright sparks setto get connectedA COMPANY providing electricalservices is making good connec-tions.

C J Connally, based at BeaumontPark, has weathered the recessionwell and is now landing new con-tracts after investing in new equip-ment.

The company provides electricalengineering and contracting servicesto industry – working for customersin sectors such as water, chemicals,textiles and engineering as well as abroad range of commercial work.

Recent successes include complet-ing a full audit of the site forLinthwaite-based Grosvenor Chem-icals.

The eight-month project includedrepair and renewal of electrical fit-tings to ensure they continue to meethealth and safety requirements.

Other cl ients include Gol-car-based textile firm Drake Extru-sion Ltd and the former NTL Houseat Market Street in Huddersfield.

The company has also invested in

thermographic equipment, whichuses digital and thermal imaging tosurvey distribution boards, cables,control panels and other electricalapparatus for faults.

C J Connally, which has nineemployees, has also carried out workon Yorkshire Water sites as asub-contractor for major construc-tion and infrastructure group Caril-lion.

Chris Connally, director of C JConnally, said the company wasoptimistic of attracting more workas the economy improves and itscommercial and industrial custom-ers looked to upgrade their facilit-ies.

“We have a fully skilled workforceand a strong commitment to train-ing,” he said. “We have an apprenticeon a training scheme and full accred-itation to industry standards. Thatincludes accreditation for work inthe maintenance and preparation ofsystems in hazardous or potentiallyexplosive areas.”

■ SOCKET TO ‘EM: Chris Connally (front), director of C J ConnallyElectrical Services, with (from left) Mark Ribbons, David Lawford, NickDenton, Peter Faye, Roy Ellis, Tony Wilcock and Simon Brook

Healthcare sector is favourite with investorsPRIVATE equity investors rankhealthcare companies their topchoice for deal activity in the next 12months, says a new survey.

That was the main finding from thelatest Private Equity Barometer, aquarterly survey of more than 100private equity firms compiled by bus-niess advisers Grant Thornton

When asked to select the top threesectors they would be most active inover the next 12 months, 50% ofrespondents pointed to healthcare.

In addition, 52% of private equity

firms cited healthcare as the sector inwhich they had been most activeduring the previous 12 months.

In terms of what respondents areprepared to pay, healthcare is rankedjoint highest sector alongside mediaand communications.

Grant Thornton manages Invest-ing in Health – a programme led byregional development agency York-shire Forward to support healthcarecompanies seeking finance.

Programme manager Lisa Ward(pictured, left) said: “Despite loom-

ing public sector cuts that will impactdemand for good and services fromthe private sector, private equity com-panies remain unwaveringly confid-ent about healthcare deal activity.

“Yorkshire healthcare companiesare well placed to take advantage ofthe appetite for private equity deals.

“There are a number of trulyinnovative companies ripe for invest-ment in the region and those thatcarry the minimum amount of riskoffer a solid opportunity forinvestors.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Cream of YorkshireAN ice cream maker fromKirklees has been named amongthe best in Yorkshire.

Denby Dale-based YummyYorkshire, led by Jeremy andLouise Holmes, won the foodand drink category in the 2010Yorkshire Rural Awards,organised by The Dalesmanmagazine.

The award was presented at agala evening held at HarrogatePavilions and hosted byYorkshire-born TV presenter

John Craven.It is the latest in a string of

accolades for Yummy Yorkshire,which earlier this year landed acontract to supply HuddersfieldUniversity with its coolconcoctions.

The university is getting a dailydelivery of 250 litres of fresh milkfrom Yummy Yorkshire while fourflavours of luxury dairy icecream have also gone on sale atthe university’s Cafe on 3rd.

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Vocal support fortelecoms providerA COMMUNICATIONScompany in Huddersfieldis looking to treble itsturnover in two yearsand create new jobsfollowing a landmarkdeal.Skelmanthope-basedDirect Voice and Data isthe first company in theUK to sign up to becomean O-bit Local Businessas part of O-bitTelecom’s resellerpartnership network.Direct Voice and Data isnow planning to recruitmore staff to cope withanticipated growthfollowing the tie-up withO-bit Telecom, which willenable it to benefit fromthe voice and datanetwork provider’sindustry expertise andback office support.“Becoming the first O-bitLocal Business partneris the next exciting stagein our business’ historyfollowing our re-brandfrom Direct Telecom,”said Dave Henderson,managing director atDirect Voice and Data.“We are proud of ourYorkshire roots and wantto continue to work withlocal businesses andbring employmentopportunities to the localcommunity.”Direct Voice and Datawill take advantage of

benefits includingaccess to an enhancedsales and marketingstrategy, future-proofproducts and servicesand exclusive licensedpartner use of O-bit’senterprise resourceplanning software AskMerlin.O-bit Telecom offersbusinesses a full rangeof telecoms productsand services through anetwork of resellers andpartners. This includesservices such as SMS,non-geographicnumbers, conferencingsolutions and VoIP. Dataservices includebroadband, hosting andleased lines.Buckinghamshire-basedO-bit was founded in2002 by chief executiveDave Breith and hasachieved a placing in theDeloitte Fast 50. Itemploys 50 staff with aturnover exceeding£18m.As Direct Telecom, DirectVoice and Data DirectTelecom successfullysold and maintainedtelephone systems for 25years. In recent years, ithas extended its productportfolio to include awhole range of extendedvoice and data services.

Jamie going by the bookA WEALTH management specialistis offering his clients some bedtimereading along with advice on theirfinances.

Jamie Greaves, of Birkby-basedGreaves Wealth Management, wasso impressed by the impact that aYorkshire businesswoman’s book onself-motivation had on his businessthat he ordered copies as gifts for hiscustomers.

Life skills consultant AngelaWhitlock has managed large scalemulti-million pound training pro-jects for National Grid and theNHS.

Her first book, Walk on the Grass,is a guide to goal orientation inbusiness, education and life.

“Her philosophy of challengingconvention to inspire creative think-ing is something I believe can helppeople achieve greater success inbusiness and life,” said Mr Greaves.

“Mindset has a major influence onbusiness success and readingAngela’s book gave me renewedfocus.

“I wanted to give those I work withthe opportunity to experience hercoaching techniques for themselvesas a way of thanking them for theirloyalty.”

As well as her book, which is

available in print and as an e-bookonline, Ms Whitlock runs workshopsacross Yorkshire.

“The workshops are an opportun-ity for people to expand the bound-aries of their thinking and behaviourto create a positive impact on theirlives, whether at work, in their stud-

ies or within the home,” said MsWhitlock.

Greaves Wealth Management spe-cialises in investment, pensions andinheritance tax planning. JamesGreaves joined the company in2002.

■ BOOK SHOW: Yorkshire life skills consultant Angela Whitlock andJamie Greaves, of Greaves Wealth Management, with the books he haspurchased as gifts for his clients

Lots of energyat trade eventCOMPANIES opened thedoor to new sales worth£500,000 at a buying event inYorkshire.

Businesses providing sus-tainable products and ser-vices met potential buyers atthe Northern Sourcing Sus-tainable Solutions event inLeeds.

The event, which aimed toreduce the environmentalimpact of the region’s busi-nesses, brought together buy-ers and suppliers from acrossthe North of England.

I t wa s o rg a n i s e d byCO2Sense Yorkshire in part-nership with its north-westand north-east counterpartsEnvirolink Northwest andRenew CPI.

CO2Sense project managerLorna Peacock said: “Theevent was a great success andwe are thrilled with theturnout.

“We’re confident that theevent will lead directly to newbusiness for these compan-ies.

“Three similar eventsorganised in other regions in

the last 12 months helpedgenerate more than £2m ofnew business for attendingsuppliers.”

The West Yorkshire event

was attended by 82 greenproducts and services suppli-ers from across Yorkshire, then o r t h - w e s t a n d t h enorth-east. Representatives

had the opportunity to meetbuyers from 26 companiesand organisations in the pub-lic and private sectors.

Suppliers attending theevent offer a broad range ofsustainable products and ser-vices – from recycled glasspackaging and stationery towaste management con-sultancy and energy manage-ment.

They held private andpre-scheduled 15 minutemeetings with individual buy-ers to promote their productsand services.

Said Ms Peacock: “Increas-ing demand for sustainableproducts and services is a toppriority for CO2Sense York-shire.

“By improving supplychain sustainability, compan-ies can reduce their costs,improve their environmentalperformance and reduce theircarbon footprint.

“It’s all part of our ongoingeffort to help the region makethe switch to a low carboneconomy.”

■ IMPACT: CO2Sense project manager Lorna Peacocksaid the event was set to result in new business for supplierstaking part

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

Industrial ‘sheds’are back in favourDEMAND is rising for large ware-houses and industrial “sheds” in York-shire, said a property expert.

Owen Holder, partner with propertyconsultancy Knight Frank, commen-ted: “Occupiers of larger sheds arebeginning to look in Yorkshire again –driven by the level of deals they canpick up on new buildings built specu-latively during the ‘boom’ years.

“These deals can represent savingson properties of up to 65% on dealsbeing done two or three years ago. Onlonger-term leases, tenants can oftennegotiate two-to-three years rentfree and a capital payment for a fit-outon top.”

Mr Holder said flexible and shorterleases commanded fewer incentives,but terms could represent significantsavings to tenants.

Moreover, the potential was there tocover the capital expenditure involvedin a move.

“There is an abundance of choiceand tenants are holding the cards at themoment,” he said.

Opportunities to purchase were lessreadily available, but where occupierscould demonstrate an ability to financea purchase free of bank involvementand move quickly, cost-effectiveopportunities were available.

Mr Holder welcomed the confirma-tion in the recent Budget that theempty property rate exemption

threshold will be raised from £15,000to £18,000 for the next financial year.

But he said it was disappointing thatformer chancellor Alistair Darlingdecided before the general election notto enact the 50% relief for all vacantproperties which was possible underthe current Empty Property Act.

“In the current recession busi-nesses are ultimately the key drivers forthe economy to recover and they

should not be subject to this draconiantax,” he said.

“Any chances of a recovering in thecommercial property market are beingjeopardised by the controversial tax onunoccupied property.

“Some businesses will continue todemolish existing unoccupied premisesto escape the widely condemned finan-cial burden of this tax.

“There is also the fear that when the

economy does return to full steam,there’ll be a lack of commercial proper-ties on the market, not only in York-shire but nationwide.”

Added Mr Holder: “Properties arenot left vacant deliberately and I donot believe a charge on empty propertyis an effective way of encouragingredevelopment of vacant sites acrossYorkshire.”

■ BIG INTEREST:Industrial “sheds” builtspeculatively during the“boom” years areattracting interest saysOwen Holder (above) ofKnight Frank

Colliery site is set for £2m revamp

Punch puts 13 pubs up for sale

Stablecontractfor RNJWORK is under way ona £3.5m historic touristattraction in Yorkshire.The stable block atNostell Priory, the 18thcentury Palladianhouse owned by theNational Trust, is beingrefurbish in a projectwhich also includesproviding new carparking, a visitor meetand greet centre anddrainage works to thegrounds of the estate.Constructionconsultant RNJ, withoffices in Wetherby andNewcastle upon Tyne,will act as quantitysurveyor andco-ordinator for thescheme, which is setfor completion in Aprilnext year.John Gibson, partner atRNJ, said: “Thisrevamp at NostellPriory will result in arange of new andupdated facilities forvisitors – including ashop, a restaurant, afunction room andtoilets together withNational Trust officesand accommodation.”Nostell Priory is hometo one of the largestand most diversecollections ofChippendale furniturein the world. It sits in300 acres of parklandand was bought fromLord St Oswald by theNational Trust withfunding from theHeritage Lottery Fund.Alongside RNJ, theproject team on thestable block includesarchitects RodneyMelville and Partners,structural engineersSFK Consulting,services engineersBuro Happold andcontractor Irwins Ltd.

CONSTRUCTION giant ISG hassecured a deal as main contractor for a£2m scheme to kick-start the regenera-tion of a former colliery site.

IG, which has offices at Bradford,will join forces with Wakefield Councilto build a vocational learning resourcecentre for 14 to 19 year olds on brown-

field land at South Kirkby colliery.That will mark the first phase of

development at the site, which will alsoinclude a 64-acre business park, a newwaste management facility and a largearea of green public open space.

The two-storey South East Learn-ing Centre will house purpose-builttraining and educational facilities forstudents across sectors as diverse asconstruction and beauty therapy.

It will also feature an events room,community facilities, a salon, work-shops with a viewing gallery and a caféarea.

The new building will also feature

roof-mounted photo voltaic cells togenerate emission-free electricity. Theproject includes significant landscap-ing, a new car park and externalseating areas.

The scheme is scheduled for comple-tion in early 2011.

John Gittins, ISG regional man-aging director, said: “As part of thefirst phase of regeneration at theformer South Kirkby Colliery site, thenew South East Learning Centre willprovide purpose-built teachingaccommodation across a range ofvocational courses.

“The development highlights Wake-

field Council's commitment to enhan-cing regional 14 to 19 educationprovision, as well as its wider ambi-tions to redevelop the site and createnew jobs by attracting businesses tothe area, and also providing greenpublic open space.”

Cheryl Hobson, Wakefield Coun-cil’s service director, said: “This centrewill make a real difference to the lives,education and aspirations of youngpeople in the area.

“It is also important for the southeast of the district as this forms part ofwider regeneration of the area.”

PROPERTY agency Colliers CRE hasbeen instructed to sell 13 managedpublic houses in Yorkshire on behalfof Punch Pub Company, the manageddivision of Punch Taverns plc.

The properties – located throughoutYorkshire, the north-east and as farsouth as Nottingham – are availablewith guide prices from £450,000 to£1.25m.

They include The Golden Lion inYork, The Red Lion Inn in Sheffieldand The White Bear in Wakefield.

The licensed properties form part ofa nationwide instruction for ColliersCRE to dispose of 36 managed publichouses for Punch that can be soldeither individually or as a whole pack-age with a cumulative guide priceexceeding £36m.

James Boshier, head of estate devel-opment at Punch Taverns plc, said:“We have instructed Colliers CRE toactively market the sites due to thestrength of its network of regionaloffices and using its well-respected

licensed and leisure team.”Andrew Watt, head of Collier

CRE’s Leeds office and director in thelicensed and leisure team, said: “Thesepublic houses present an opportunityfor individual entrepreneurs togetherwith larger pub and hotel groups toobtain excellent assets.”

Colliers CRE has more than 30years experience in the licensed andleisure industry from advisingdevelopers, landlords and licensees.

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From 1,117sqft to 2,519sqftSituated in a busy town centrewith a main road location.The premises are ideal for varioususes (subject to planning)Terms available on application.

Retail Units To LetHuddersfield Road, Brighouse

Contact: Christine EcclestonMB Services01484 557102

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Big issuesfor societies

White Rose Awardsseeks best buildingsPROPERTY sector companies are beingurged to take part in a major award scheme.

Entries are being sought for the 2010 RoyalInstitute of British Architects Yorkshire WhiteRose Awards, which recognise the region’smost innovative building projects andarchitectural practices.

Winners last year include HuddersfieldUniversity’s creative arts building, OneBrewery Wharf in Leeds, the Royal Hotel inHarrogate and Shibden Hall Park in Halifax.

This year’s awards include two newcategories celebrating interior design andhousing.

Entries must be received by 4pm on Friday,June 4. Judges will draw up a shortlist andthe winners will be announced at a black tieevent on Friday, November 26, at SheffieldCity Hall.

Individual awards will be made forconservation, landscape, sustainability andsmall projects in addition to the new

categories of interior design and housing.Emma England, regional director of RIBA

Yorkshire, said: “We hope that these newcategories reflect current practice in designand architecture in our region.

“By expanding the awards to includeinterior design, we will create a newshowcase to promote interior design projectsthat have previously gone unrecognised. Weare very pleased to be launching the HousingAward as RIBA Yorkshire is particularlyinterested in this sector.”

All competition entries are automaticallyentered into the White Rose Awards forArchitecture which can result in a bronze,silver or gold award. Special recognition inthe form of the Client of the Year and Buildingof the Year awards are presented to the mostoutstanding buildings or developments of thepast 12 months.

For more details go towww.architecture.com

■ WINNING LINES: Huddersfield University’s striking creative arts building was among thewinners in the 2009 RIBA Yorkshire White Rose Awards

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7

BUILDING societies willneed to change the way theydeal with their core custom-ers – and look beyond theirt radi t ional markets toremain competitive, says areport.

In its latest building societ-ies update, business advicefirm Deloitte warned: “As weenter into a post-creditcrunch financial landscape,building societies will need tolook beyond traditional mar-kets as a means to sustainand grow profitability, and inorder to increase overallcompetitiveness.

“This may include lookingfor strategic bolt-on acquisi-tions, mergers or peer groupalliances or identifying nichemarkets which can be movedinto quickly and exited asrequired.

“Other initiatives such asdivesting non-core activitiesto raise capital and imple-

menting cost reduction meas-ures to improve the customerexperience will help leavesocieties best-fit for pur-pose.”

The report said the way the

Financial Services Authoritydeals with building societieswas set to change.

In addition, recent Rev-enue & Customs requests foraccess to unprecedentedamounts of information mayhave significant implicationsfor the sector.

Stephen Williams, headDeloitte’s building societiespractice, said: “There is a lotto do on a sector-wide basisto ensure a fair deal for theindustry – whether that beattracting additional fundingfrom public bodies or agree-ing an acceptable new formof core capital.

“However, there are clearand significant opportunitiesfor the sector as customerscontinue to realise that build-ing societies are still trustedand are able to offer innovat-ive and valued products totheir members.”

■ WARNING: StephenWilliams, head of Deloitte'sbuilding societies practice

TO LETModern Self ContainedOffice PremisesThe Studio, Riverside Mills, Elland1 113.72m2 (1,224 sq ft)1High quality specification open plan & private offices1 6 car parking spaces & ample overflowFurther Details: On Application

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Stephanie Chitty

ManifestHUDDERSFIELD-based ManifestCommunications has appointedStephanie Chitty as an accountexecutive at its London office.

Ms Chitty (pictured) will work onthe agency’s public relationsaccounts with special focus onclients Sanyo and HarmanTechnology. She joins the agency,which has its headquarters atNew North Road, from RSW,where she worked with both technology andconsumer PR clients.

She brings significant experience from her timewith Microsoft Gold Partner, Joskos.

Alex Myers, director at Manifest London, said:“Stephanie is an exciting addition to the team andit’s great to welcome her to Manifest London.”

Lee Hayes

Bibby FinancialBUSINESS finance firm BibbyFinancial Services has bolsteredits construction finance team inYorkshire by appointing LeeHayes as business developmentmanager for the region.

Mr Hayes will be using 20years’ experience in financialservices to promote BibbyFinancial Services’ specialistconstruction finance services tothe sector in Yorkshire and thenorth-east. He will be based at the company’soffice in Cleckheaton.

Before joining Bibby Financial Services, MrHayes (pictured) worked at Bank of Ireland forfour years, providing high value investment dealsto property developers in the region. Before that,he worked for Bank of Scotland Corporate, HSBCand Halifax.

Jason Heath, product director, constructionfinance, said: “With 20 years’ experience in thefinancial services sector, Mr Hayes has much tooffer Bibby Financial Services. His knowledge ofthe business landscape in Yorkshire will enablehim to work closely with financial intermediaries inthe region and educate them as to how Bibby’sfinancial support can help their clients realisetheir plans for commercial growth.”

David Price

PwCDAVID Price has been appointed senior managerby PricewaterhouseCoopers in Yorkshire.

Mr Price will specialise in tax human resourcesservice for the technology, information,communication, entertainment and energyindustries.

Among his responsibilities at various times, MrPrice was director of personnel for the commandteam at West Midlands Police and anon-executive director for the Mid StaffordshireFoundation Health Trust. He has also worked withlocal government and the power industry.

Mr Price was acted as a university lecturer andmanagement/leadership trainer. He alsoundertook a secondment to Detroit Edison inAmerica, where he was given the task ofreviewing workforce planning dynamics incomparison with the UK power generationindustry.

PwC also announced that two of its personnelhave been appointed to senior posts with LeedsChartered Accountants Students’ Society.

Gareth Baigent, manager at PwC in Leeds,becomes president following as year asvice-president in 2008/9 and chairman in 2005/6.He succeeds Jen Grafham, of Kaplan Financial.

Hayley Crosby, a senior associate at PwC, willchair the society and succeeds Dan Kelsall, ofZolfo Cooper.

The society represents individuals training to bechartered accountants. It organise events throughout the year to enhance students' personaldevelopment and improving their networkingskills.

Town fans are on a road trip!

A PARTNERSHIP to keep Town fanson the road has been unveiled.

Huddersfield Town has joined forceswith Road to Recovery to offer sup-porters free breakdown and recoverycover.

RTR managing director Paul Hoyleand business development managerAndy Rowley are both life-long fans ofthe Terriers.

RTR operates a “pay as you go”service with a national network ofrecovery operators to offer a recoveryservice at discounted prices withouthaving to pay an annual insurancepremium.

Motorists simply stick the badge onthe inside left of the car windscreenand call the number on the badge if

they break down. The call centre tellsthe motorist who will attend and themotorist pays the recovery operator atthe RTR special rate.

If the vehicle has been involved in anaccident that is not the fault of thedriver, the driver may also be coveredfor a replacement vehicle and RTR willprocess the claim without botheringthe driver’s own insurance company.This will also include the provision ofany legal representation and full repairof your vehicle.

As part of the Town tie-in, RTRwindscreen badges have been speciallyprepared with the Town logo and areavailable at the club Megastore andticket office at the Galpharm Sta-dium.

Latest bulletinfrom MichelleSPENBOROUGH businesswomanSuzanne Johns has teamed up with aformer TV presenter to offer broad-cast media training to companiesacross the UK.

Suzanne, who is managing directorof Approach PR, is working withformer ITV Calendar journalist andpresenter Michelle Gee on the newventure.

Supported by cameraman MalikWalton, Michelle and the ApproachPR team are putting local, nationaland international businesses in thespotlight to prepare for unexpected orplanned television and radio inter-views.

The media training is a furtherexpansion to Approach PR’s recentlylaunched training arm Approachabil-ity.

Said Suzanne: “Michelle andMalik have interviewed, recorded andattended every conceivable newsscenario during their combined 40years in television.”

Michelle, who presented on Calen-dar from 1995 to 2009, said: “Work-ing as a Calendar presenter andbroadcast journalist until veryrecently means I know exactly whatTV and radio journalists are lookingfor and what is happening behind thescenes in the studio and editingsuite.

“This knowledge, combined withthe Approach team’s PR expertise,means we have a finely tuned mediatraining offering which we’re lookingforward to rolling out regionally andnationally.”

■ CLUB CARS: Paul Hoyle (left), of RTR, with Town’s Mark Davies

■ TV STARS: Michelle Gee (left), former Calendarpresenter and journalist, with Suzanne Johns, managingdirector of Approach PR

Techmeshhappy with itsLiquid assetA HUDDERSFIELDcompany is backing anew regional networkaimed at boosting theYorkshire It andtelecoms sector.

Longwood-basedLiquid Accounts issponsoring Techmesh.Liquid Accounts, whichprovides accountancysoftware packageshas become astrategic marketing partner of Techmesh.

Liquid Accounts will make its debut in supportof the network at Techmesh:TechTalk, whichtakes place next Tuesday in Leeds. The eventwill involve a discussion about CloudComputing and its role and benefits for thefuture of business.

Matt Holme (pictured), managing director ofLiquid Accounts – who was named YoungBusiness Person of the Year in the 2009Examiner Business Awards – will be on thepanel alongside representatives from IT giantMicrosoft.

Richard Holmes, director of strategicpartnerships at Liquid Accounts, said: “We aredelighted to have agreed this sponsorship dealwith Techmesh.

“It allows us to meet with companies fromacross the region at Techmesh’s highlyregarded events.

“By attending these events since signing thesponsorship deal, we have already interactedwith a range of reputable national businessesas well as smaller, regional businesses inYorkshire and Humberside.

“The deal also allows Matt, our MD andin-house Cloud expert, to speak at a number ofevents throughout the year.”

Techmesh’s role is to act as an umbrellaorganisation for businesses and individualsworking in IT and telecoms in the region. It putsthem in contact with sources of fundinginformation, market intelligence, emergingtechnologies and research and developmentopportunities.