KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees20, Apr i l , 2010

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Oil firm roars ontothe starting grid

TRACY SHELDON CLAIRE YOUNGNetwork news

Ful l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Yor kshire champion

Stor y - Page 8

FTSE 100-16.05

5727.91An EXAMINER publication

TimelesstastesA CATERING companyis going back in timewith its latest contract.Food-4-Thought hasbeen awarded athree-year deal toprovide a full range ofservices to the coffeeshop at historicOakwell Hall at Birstall.

MusicalmomentsA KITCHEN equipmentfirm struck the rightnote with visitors to atop exhibition – byadopting a musicaltheme for its tradestand.WS Westin Ltd,recruited Fixby-basedsinger OliviaHutchinson to entertainvisitors and showed offa cooker hood shapedlike the top of a grandpiano to tune intopotential new orders.

Curry company has recipe for sales successA DEWSBURY firm running Indiancookery courses and supplying picklesand spices aims to tickle the tastebudsof visitors to a major food fair.

Curry Cuisine is among 25 regionalfood producers taking part in thefour-day event, which kicks off onThursday and is being run alongside

the Harrogate Spring Flower Show atthe town’s Great Yorkshire Show-ground.

The firm, run by Kenyan-born PrettTejura, provides cookery courses andoutside catering as well as sellingIndian pickles and chutneys.

Prett, whose background stems

from Gujarat, India, said: “I havealways had a passion for cooking.

“Over the past 10 years or so, I havebeen collecting recipes from my familyto pass down to my three children.

“The idea for Curry Cuisine cameafter several friends had asked me toteach them how to cook traditional

Indian dishes.”The food market has been organised

by the Regional Food Group under itsdeliciouslyorkshire branding cam-paign and features producers of food-stuffs ranging from pork pies, cakesand loaves to preserves, chocolatesand cheeses.

A COMPANY supplying motor oils isat the front of the grid following itslatest deal.

Millers Oils has been asked yet againto work alongside many of the BritishTouring Car Championship teams –supplying its award-winning motors-port products and technical supportduring the 2010 season.

After an exceptional year in 2009,Millers Oils is now supporting a num-ber of well-established and high profileteams and drivers.

They include Tom Chilton and TomOnslow-Cole, of Team Aon; PaulO’Neill and John George, of TeamSunshine.co.uk; Matt Hamilton, fromTH Motorsport; and the returningJason Hughes from KW Sport.

Brighouse-based Millers Oils willalso be supporting newcomers LeaWood, of Team Wood Racing; andDavid Pinkney, at Pinkney Motors-port.

The teams will also receive technicalsupport and high-performance lubric-ants from Millers Oils.

The company’s products have

gained national recognition for reliab-ility, quality and effectiveness.

Millers Oils’ revolutionary NanoTechnology transmission oil wasnamed Most Innovative New Motors-port Product at the World MotorsportSymposium last November, followinga successful debut season.

The cutting-edge Nano Technologywas a big hit with BTCC teams usingthe product.

Dave Mott, product manager atMillers Oils, said: “The 2009 seasonsaw great strides for Millers Oils andmany of the teams we supported.

“We’re proud to be continuing ourtechnical partnerships with so manyteams in such a prestigious champion-ship, as well as getting involved withsome of the newer teams for thisseason.

“Last year’s successful partnershipswere testament to the stringent testingand research that goes into ensuringthe drivers have the most effectiveproducts available, which givesecond-to-none results and tangibleimprovements to performance, reliab-

ility and component life“The Nano Technology award win

was further confirmation that MillersOils can reach the pinnacle of motors-

port product innovation. We are look-ing forward to another exciting seasonahead in 2010, and we wish all ourpartner teams the very best of luck.”

■ FAST LANE: David Pinkney, of Pinkney Motorsport, is hoping for a winningdebut season in British Touring Cars with a little help from Millers Oils

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

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5727.9Down 16.0

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.57 dollarsBangladesh................... 99.37 takaBrazil.............................. 2.39 realsCanada....................... 1.47 dollarsChina ............................. 9.28 yuanCzech Republic ...... 26.23 korunasDenmark....................... 8.01 kroneEuro............................... 1.08 euroHong Kong................ 11.21 dollarsHungary ................... 268.80 forintsIndia.......................... 59.85 rupeesJapan........................... 132.80 yenMexico ....................... 16.70 pesosNew Zealand .............. 2.00 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.62 kronePakistan.................. 120.30 rupeesPhilippines ................. 58.19 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.57 randSouth Korea.............. 1482.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 163.53 rupeesSweden....................... 10.53 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.54 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.80 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.15 new liraUSA ............................ 1.45 dollars

Carclo 140Chapelthorpe 221/4 +23/4Marshalls 1011/4 -23/4National Grid 6481/2 -2RensburgSheppards

841 -9

Weir Gp 941 -211/2

Sage chief to step downONE of the longest-serving chiefexecutives in the FTSE 100 Index is tostand down from the firm he joined 26years ago.

Paul Walker, 52, has been at thehelm of accountancy software com-pany Sage for 16 years and helpedbuild the business through a series ofacquisitions.

A departure date has not beenannounced, but Sage said Mr Walkerand the board will work to ensure a“seamless transition” to the nextboss.

It has been reported that MrWalker told the board he wanted tomove on while he is young enough for

fresh challenges. His 16-year tenure isexceeded by Sir Martin Sorrell atadvertising giant WPP and TullowOil’s Aidan Heavey.

Mr Walker joined Newcastle-basedSage as company accountant whenthe business was just three years old.

He was appointed finance directorin 1987 and worked on the flotation ofthe firm on the London stock markettwo years later.

It is now worth in excess of £3.3bnand has more than 6m customersfrom the small and medium sizedenterprise sector. The companyemploys 13,400 people worldwide.

Buyout values riseas market picks up

Firm sets pace for World CupSET-TOP box maker Pace predicteda World Cup sales boost as pay-tele-vision firms rush out high-definitiontechnology in the run-up to thissummer’s football tournament.

The firm said sales for the first sixmonths of 2010 would outstripsecond half revenues – althoughtrading for the whole year will be inline with expectations.

Pace said: “We entered 2010 in astrong operating and financial posi-tion with our pay-TV markets con-tinuing to be positive and with gooddemand for the group’s products.”

Pace, based at Saltaire, has about1,200 staff around the world, includ-ing ones in USA, India and China.

Pace reported demand for HDtechnology across all its markets.

The company expects “solid”volume growth this year along withslightly lower selling prices, result-ing in single-digit revenue growth.

Pace has also landed new con-tract wins including a deal to provideMalaysia’s first HD service, as wellas a second generation set-top boxfor BT Vision and a new range ofFreeview products in the UK.

The company said that a furtherdrive on costs had boosted margins– while the company is also keepinga tight rein on its supply chain toward off the risk of componentshortages.

Back inthe blackTHE taxpayer hasmoved out of the red onstakes in Royal Bank ofScotland and LloydsBanking Group – aftershares in thepart-nationalised bankshit six-month highs.

The Government paid£45.2bn for an 84%stake in RBS at anaverage cost of 49.9p ashare, but the stockclosed yesterday up 4%or 2.1p at 50.4p – justabove the 50pbreak-even mark – afterpositive comments frombanking analysts inrecent days.

Shares in RBS havealso been helped byreports that it could sueUS investment bankGoldman Sachs afterbeing hit with £550m inlosses due to allegedfraud.

Lloyds Banking Group,in which the taxpayerhas a 41% stake, closed0.7p up at 65.4p – about2p above the 63.2p entryprice for theGovernment’s £27.6bninvestment – giving thepublic sector a notionalpaper profit of more than£500m.

The taxpayer gainsjust over £900m forevery penny whichshares in RBS moveabove 49.9p, while every1p above 63.2p addsabout £280m to thevalue of the publicstakes.

In March, Lloyds saidit expected a return toprofit this year after abetter performance onbad debts.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £29.46 -0.07Gannett 1180.11 -0.98Hess Corp £40.99 -0.68Microsoft £20.19 +0.11Motors Liquidation 49.10Wal-Mart Stores £35.50 +0.07

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 921/2BAE Systems 3741/4 +21/4Rolls-Royce Gp 600 -11/2VT Group 758 -1

AIMBrady Plc 67 -2Dawson Intl 21/4

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 1433/4 -11/4

BANKSBarclays 3701/2 -27/8HSBC 691 -7Lloyds Banking Gp 653/8 +3/4Ryl Scotland 503/8 +21/8Stan Chart 1784 -1/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1143 -2SABMiller 1910 +6

CHEMICALSCroda 940 -111/2Elementis 98 671/2 +21/2Johnsn Mat 1746 -14

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 297 -1/4Costain 25 +3/4

ELECTRICITYDrax Grp 381 -21/8Intl Power 3295/8 -31/8

Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1119 +1

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTChloride 202 -2Laird 1231/4 -1/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3461/2 +1/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1313/4 +1/4Cable & WirelessComm

621/8 -1/4

Cable & WirelessWwide

915/8

Colt Telecom 1317/8 +11/4KCOM 49 -1/2Talktalk Telecom 124 -5

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2953/4 +11/2Sainsbury 3443/4 -11/2Tesco 4371/2 +23/4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 9581/2 +81/2Nth Foods 583/4 -11/2Tate Lyle 448 +1Unilever 1922 -6Uniq 173/4 +3/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 2981/4 -1/4National Grid 6481/2 -2Pennon Grp 537 -31/2Severn 1218 -4United Utils 5631/2 -21/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2811/8 -3/4ICAP 3881/8 -51/2London StockExch 7491/2 -51/2Man Group 264 -23/4

Provident Financial 873 -101/2Schroders 1402 -9Schroders NV 1127 -9

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 5631/2 -101/2REXAM 304 -11/2Smiths Grp 1117 -13

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 151/2Carphone Whse 1821/4 +1DSG International 353/4Home Retail 2873/8 +11/8Inchcape 313/4 -3/8Kingfisher 2353/4 -1/4M & S 3815/8 +1/8Mothercare 598 +1/2Next £227/8 +1/8WH Smith 4991/8 -17/8

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6851/2 -9

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 110Barrat Dev 120 -1Persimmon 449 -11/4Reckitt Benckiser £351/8 -1/8Taylor Wimpey 385/8 +1/4

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 771 +1Delta 1831/4 -1/4I M I 6431/2 -41/2Man Brnze 791/2

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 3611/4 -23/4

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 2063/4 -13/4Forth Ports 1378 -3

LIFE INSURANCE

Aviva 3781/8 -87/8Lgl & Gen 901/8 -5/8Old Mutual 1181/8 -21/2Prudential 583 -11/2Resolution 791/8 -3/4Standard Life 2045/8 -3/4

MEDIABSkyB 6241/2 +31/2Chrysalis 105D Mail Tst 5201/2 -1/2ITV 667/8 -3/4Johnston Press 30 -1/2Pearson 1002 -3Reed Elsevier 5261/2 -1STV Group 96 +3Trinity Mirror 1591/4 +1/4Utd Business 5441/2 +1UTV 131 +21/4WPP 711 +11/2Yell Group 583/8 +2

MININGAnglo American £283/8 -3/8Antofagasta 983 -17BHP Billiton £215/8 -3/8Eurasian NaturalRes

1191 -15

Fresnillo 8261/2 -161/2Kazakhmys 1474 -24Lonmin 1998 -29Rio Tinto £377/8 -1/8VEDANTARESOURCES

£273/8 -1/2

Xstrata 12251/2 -11MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 7521/2 -11/2Vodafone Group 150 -2

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1312 -1RSA Insurance Gp 125 -1/4

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1145 +1BP 6421/2 +3/4Cairn Energy 4065/8 -41/2Norsk Hdro 5105/8Royal Dutch Shell A 1985 +111/2Royal Dutch Shell B 1904 +61/2Total £373/4 -1/8Tullow Oil 1282 -13

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 849 -21/2Petrofac 1229 -15Wood Group 3751/4 -53/4

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry 7011/2 -3PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £293/8 +1/8Axis-Shield 420 +13

GlaxoSmithK 11/2Shire 1469

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4763/4 -71/4DTZ Hldgs 761/4Hamrsn 3785/8 -53/4Land Secs 6591/2 -14SEGRO 3167/8 -41/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1777 +37Dimension Data 923/8 -3/4Invensys 3273/8 -21/4Logica 1401/4Misys 2481/4 -17/8Sage Group 2541/4 -1/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBunzl 756 -4Capita 805 -5Davis ServiceGroup

421 +1

De La Rue 903 -1/2Electrocomp 2301/4 +5/8Experian 614 -1/2G4S 2631/4 -15/8Hays 1131/4 -5/8Homeserve 1902 +7Menzies J 376 -8Rentokil 1353/4 -3/8Smiths News 1171/2 +2Wolseley 1548 -16

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 2383/4 +13/4Psion 86 +21/2Spirent Comms 1193/4 -15/8

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £213/4 +1/4Imperial Tobacco 1947 -4

LEISURE & HOTELS

Arriva 7601/2 +24Brit Airways 2313/4 -31/4Carnival £261/2 +1/8Compass Grp 5221/2 -11/2easyJet 473 -43/4Enterprise Inns 1295/8 -17/8FirstGroup 379 +83/8Go-Ahead 1450 +41Greene King 4383/4 -23/4Intercontl Htls 1038 -11Ladbrokes 1553/4 -11/8Mitchells & Butlers 3071/4 +1/8Natl Express 2391/2PartyGaming 312 -1/8Rank Org 1153/8 -13/8Stagecoach Group 1881/8 +3/8TUI Travel 2881/4 -31/2Whitbread 1560 -3

INDEXFTSE 100 5727.91 -16.05

INDEXFTSE 250 10390.86 -56.97

TAKEOVERS such as the £950mswoop for retailer Pets at Homehave pushed the value of UK privateequity buyouts to a two-year high.

The total value of private-equitybacked deals reached £5bn in thefirst quarter of 2010, according tostatistics from the Centre for Man-agement Buyout Research,

The figure was helped by thebuyout of Cheshire-based Pets athome – which has a store at GreatNorthern Retail Park in Hudders-field – as well as medical courierMarken.

The value of business done in theopening months of 2010 alreadyexceeds the £4.7bn seen for thewhole of last year and is at itshighest since the first quarter of

2008 before the onset of the reces-sion.

Private equity firms benefitedfrom a glut of cheap debt during theboom years – taking over a raft ofhousehold names, including the AAand high street giant Boots.

But the onset of the credit crunchin late 2007 put an end to the buyoutboom.

Barclays Private Equity directorChristian Marriott said the upturnsignalled a “renewed appetite”among private equity firms tospend.

But activity remains well belowthe £20.4bn in deals seen at the peakin the second quarter of 2007.

Mr Marriott ruled out a swiftreturn to the heady days of the

buyout binge.He said: “The strong start to the

year may not necessarily signal asustained resurgence in the UK buy-out market, rather a more gradualrecovery over the next few years asconfidence returns to the market.”

The Pets at Home and Markendeals accounted for 40% of thebuyouts by value during the firstthree months of the year and pushedup the average size of buyouts to£116.7m from £39.5m during 2009.

There were 43 buyouts in totalduring the quarter, up 72% from thefinal three months of 2009.

Of the 12 deals valued at morethan £100m, eight were secondarydeals where a company was soldfrom one buyout firm to another.

■ PET OWNER: The takeover of retailer Petsat Home contributed to a rise in buyout values

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

TracySheldon

BrugConsultancy

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Managing dir-ectorAge: 47Family: Partner Iainwith children Ben,George and BeckiHolidays: Travelledto 67 cities acrossEurope, Asia, the USA,Canada and Austraila,but loved family holi-days in the UKCars: Fiat Bravo andLand Rover DiscoveryFirst job: Workingformy ubncle on hismarket stall sellingvinylsBest thing aboutjob: Working closelywith so many differentpeople and seeingthem get gerat resultsand reach their goalsWorst thing aboutjob: Administrationand paperworkBusiness tip: If youalways do what youalways did, you willalways get what youalways got.Never stoplearning, always maketime to review andnever fear change

Work: Specialist mar-keteer, personal busi-ness coach andmentorSite: SkelmanthorpePhone: 07989695352Email:tracy.sheldon@brug consultancy.com

Tracy’shappyto beback

A MARKETING expert withbusiness contacts acrossthe globe is now focusingon building business linkscloser to home.

Tracy Sheldon,managing director ofSkelmanthorpe-basedBrug Consultancy, hasbecome the first licenseeto run businesswomen’snetworking group ForwardLadies in the Kirklees andCalderdale areas.

She is busy drawing upa diary of events for theregional group, includingfree lunches for potentialnew members at theHeritage Centre at Lindley,the Elsie Whiteley Centrein Halifax and Woolley Halland the Artroom inWakefield; a social event atDewsbury’s BrettonEnterprise Centre; aMongolian stir frydemonstration and lunch atTemujin Restaurant; and avisit to Coca Cola’sWakefield factory.

And she is determined tobring the benefits of thenetworking group to asmany entrepreneurialwomen – and men – aspossible.

Says Tracy: “I havespent the past 10 years inLondon working for aglobal company. I havealso worked in New York,Boston and Paris. ButYorkshire is my home. Iused to come home everyweekend when I wasworking in London – andlast year I came back hereto set up my own business.

“I must have contacts for5,000 people across theworld – from printers andHR consultants toentrepreneurs of all types.“But returning to YorkshireI needed to make newbusiness contacts here.Someone suggested goingto Forward Ladies becauseit also has a social,opportunity anddevelopment aspect to

what it does.“Over the past year, I

have been to a lot ofnetworking groups –ranging from thehard-nosed ones whichdemand referrals at everymeeting to the ‘let’s have acoffee and waste two hours’variety.

“Forward Ladies providesnetworking and businessdevelopment opportunities,but it is also a supportivesocial organisation whichaims to inspire professionalwomen.

“They do things that are alittle bit different. You get tosocialise, but you also hearhow people in businesshave tackled and overcomeproblems – and you canbuild up your network ofcontacts.

“You can choose coursesto develop yourself andyour business and there areeven 50-50 meetings,where men are welcome toattend. There are a widevariety of members – fromsole traders like florists andcake manufacturers tohigh-powered companydirectors. It doesn’t have an

image of being nice andtwee.”

Forward Ladies, foundedby the original Forward ladyEtta Cohen over lunch in2000, is celebrating 10years.

It began as aLeeds-centred organisation,but has developed to havemembers across the northand Midlands – fromLiverpool and Chester toLeeds, Hull and Birminghamand the Isle of Man.

It’s website attracts80,000 visitors a year, withan average 4 minute staytime and its newsletter goesout to over 11,000 peopleevery week.

“It’s inspirational,influential and growingevery day” Tracy says.

“I attended some ForwardLadies events and liked thefreedom of choice aboutwhich events to attend and Iliked the fact that a varietyof businesses are involved.

“You don’t have to turn upevery week, have a bigbreakfast and be one ofonly two women in theroom.

“There are some reallyhard-nosed business peoplein there. It is not soft andfluffy. It’s a quality ledprofessional network thatoffers you choice.”

Tracy’s track record issimilarly business-like. Herfirst job was in a printingcompany, where she was itsfirst-ever female apprentice.

Most recently, she wasEuropean marketing directorfor a leading packagingcompany with operations inmore than 30 countries andserving sectors includinghealthcare andpharmaceuticals, media andentertainment, FMCG andhome and garden.

She trained as a graphicdesigner with expertise inprint and packaging beforemoving into generalmanagement.

Her career has

encompassed design,advertising, innovation,product developmentand managing ranges forthe likes of Gillette andUnilever.

She also worked onthe development ofbrands such as SmirnoffBlack.

As general managerfor a creative company inLondon providingentertainment industryclients with design andartwork, she had controlof a £34m turnoverbusiness and managed ateam of 13 directors and180-plus staff.

As Europeanmarketing director for aUS group, she formed anew marketing team inEurope.

Tracy has more than25 years experience inbusiness – working inareas such as brand andproduct innovation,marketing, mentoringand coaching through tostrategic changemanagement.

She has spoken atconferences in Brusselsand Hamburg and takenpart in online seminarsand social mediaworkshops.

With BrugConsultancy – the namecomes from the Dutchword for bridge andincorporates the initialsof Tracy’s children Ben,Rebecca and George –Tracy aims to “bridge thegap” for clientbusinesses needing helpwith marketing, projectmanagement, coachingand mentoring andstrategic planning.

Says Tracy: “Allbusinesses – from majorcorporates to family runfirms and sole traders –need to understand theirbrand and what they aretrying to achieve fromtheir marketing.

“It is about getting thestructure of the marketingright – and it doesn’t haveto be complicated – Imake marketing simplewith The MarketingMachine.”

Away from work, Tracyfinds time to help partnerIain run a girl scouts groupin Emley. She has alsoserved as a eucharisticminister at St Joseph’sChurch and was agovernor of St Joseph’sSchool.

Other interests includepainting, poetry andcinema. Says Tracy: “It isnice to be get back toYorkshire – where you getplain speaking and cantalk to people openly andhonestly.

“People here have goodideas and a sound workethic. After all that hashappened to Yorkshire’sindustries, people havekept their heads up andgot on with things. As aresult, there are a lot ofgood businesses andstrong people here.”

■ TALKING POINT: TracySheldon says Forward Ladiesisn’t ‘soft and fluffy’

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Link-up payingoff for businessCOMPANIES using Business LinkYorkshire are increasing sales andprofits as a result, according tolatest research.Figures show that firm usingBusiness Link are twice as likely toreport improved performance asthose that did not.The surveys also found that almost90% of clients in establishedbusinesses said they would nothave been able to obtain a similarlevel of support elsewhere.Firms helped by Business Linkadded £84.2m to the regionaleconomy – averaging at anadditional £17,000 each.Helen West, chief executive ofBusiness Link Yorkshire said theclear message was that businessesusing the service were moresuccessful, were coping with therecession better and were moreoptimistic about taking advantageof the upturn.Since its inception in 2008,Business Link has worked withmore than 110,000 businesses eachyear. Satisfaction with BusinessLink services has improved from87% to 92%, with a 94% score forthe business events it organises.The independent surveyscommissioned by YorkshireForward, Evaluation of BusinessLink Services in Yorkshire andHumber and the National BusinessSurvey, asked Business LinkYorkshire customers to providefeedback on the service and theimpact it has had on theirperformance.It showed that more than 85% ofBusiness Link Yorkshire customerswould recommend the service toothers and 57% already have.Gameshow theme

is proving creativeat the universityTHEY’RE getting creative atHuddersfield University.The university (right) is set tohost The Brilliant DesignLecture on Thursday, April 29,when a group of inspiringspeakers from business willshare stories and insights intotheir work.The event adopts a gameshowformat – with three roundsentitled I Made this, ThisInspired Me and New To Me.The speakers get 10 minutesper round to share their storieswith an audience comprisingstudents from the school ofart, design and architecture.There is also a Graduate Wheelof Fortune with speakersspinning the wheel to answerquestions on topics suggestedby the audience.The speakers – includingNicolas Rooper, Jason Bruges,Jay Fretwell, Rob Chiu andMatthew Grey – areexperienced in areas such asinnovation, design,advertising, film andphotography and fashion.

The event, which takes placefrom 10am to 6pm at St Paul’sHall, Queensgate, is beingorganised by universitygraduates Dom Goodman, JoeTurner and Chris Boardman.Joe said: “The presentationformat allows the banter of agameshow to play a role in avery entertaining and inspiringday for everyone.”

Bedding firm iswarming to itscharity workA MIRFIELD company is providingcomfort for the homeless.

Bedding firm John Cotton GroupLtd has donated duvets for peopleusing St George’s Crypt in Leeds.

The company, Europe’s biggestb e dd i n g m a nu f a c t u re r, f i r s tpartnered staff at St George’s Cryptin December, 2005. Since then, thecompany has continued to supportthe charity with donations of duvetsand pillows – particularly during theharsh winter months.

The Crypt has been providing shel-ter and support for the homeless inLeeds for more than 78 years andcontinues to do so with the help oflocal businesses, volunteers and char-itable donations. More than 90people a day use the Crypt.

Phil Atherton, sales and marketingdirector for John Cotton, said: “Weare extremely pleased to have contin-ued our relationship with the Cryptand hope this strengthens furtherover the next five years.

“Our duvets were a blessing to theCrypt this winter and our donation inMarch will allow them to further help

disadvantaged residents.“St George’s Crypt plays a vital

part in supporting our local com-munity and caring for those lessfortunate. John Cotton Group Ltd isproud to be associated with such agood cause.”

Crypt chief executive officer ChrisFields said: “We are really grateful toJohn Cotton for their continuing sup-port for the Crypt.

“We really value this practical sup-port and the sustained way in whichJohn Cotton provides help.”

Marketing magicfrom top conjurorAN award-winning magician is turning his talentsto business.

John Danbury, who scooped the coveted title ofYorkshire Pride Close-up Magician of the Year for2009, has set up Extraordinary Marketing to helpthe region’s companies conjure up more busi-ness.

Said John: “I have spent my entire adult lifehelping large companies to create amazing events,product launches and trade shows and thought itwould be a great idea to use all my skills to helplocal businesses get more customers and makemore profit.”

John has been a specialist in writing andpresenting for sales events for more than 18 years– helping international companies such as EstéeLauder, Procter & Gamble, Nescafé, MercedesBenz and Oracle computers create amazingpresentations for product launches and tradeshows.

“I have a passion for language and the way it isused to influence our choices as to what we buyand how,” he said. “What upsets me is when yousee amazing ideas for products and services strug-gling to get noticed just because the businessowner has not got the time to do everything.

“My idea is to help small and medium sizedbusinesses to create almost magical marketingstrategies where they can turn on the tap and get astream of new customers any time they want by

creating an automatic selling system using all theelements a great stage mind reader or magicianwould.”

As an entertainer John has performed formembers of the royal family, politicians, celebritiesand many thousands of people from all walks oflife.

Said John: “What I do as a marketer is so akin towhat I do as a magician as I am helping peopleconnect with other businesses on an emotionallevel - using visual elements along with the wordsto create a strong bond between the consumer andthe product and therefore making it easier forthem to buy.

“It’s all about trust, really.”John, who lives at Clayton West is a member of

the Huddersfield Circle of Magicians and special-ises in close-up magic card tricks.

John is from London and moved to town abouteight years ago with wife Ann, who hails fromMirfield.

Before the move, John was resident magician atLondon's Hilton Hotel on Park Lane.

He has also entertained Princes William andHarry at a private event at Highgrove House andperformed at the Princess Diana Memorial con-cert.

He also organised a magic show superstarMichael Jackson at Hamleys toy shop in Lon-don. ■ HEY PRESTO: Magician John Danbury is

Website helpat seminarFIRMS in Kirklees are getting helpto get online.Heckmondwike-based internetconsultancy iNet inSights is stagingan event at Huddersfield’s MediaCentre tomorrow to show smallbusiness owners how they can get afree website for their business usinga new Google/BT initiative calledGetting British Business Online.The consultancy has joined forceswith Google, Enterprise UK, theDepartment for Business Innovationand Skills, BT and e-skills UK tosupport the initiative to get 100,000UK businesses online.The campaign is aimed at the 1.5mUK businesses which do not have awebsite. It gives them theopportunity to create a freeprofessional website and providesaccess to training and support.The seminar tomorrow afternoonwill include a demonstration of theGBBO system, tips and techniquesbusiness owners can use to helpthem get the best from their websiteand a question and answer sessionabout marketing their websiteonline.Go to www.inetinsights.com or callJaimie Dobson on 0845 6435138

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5All changefor agencyA FIRM providing recruitmentservices has completed ashake-up as its current fundingstream comes to an end.UP & Working, based at theMedia Centre, has diversifiedinto new areas to generaterevenue – but is pledged tocontinue support for clientsand partners across Kirklees.The agency will continue tooffer information, advice andguidance to candidates withbarriers preventing them fromsecuring employment – whichwill be done in association withUP & Working Ltd and theirparent company Sadeh Lok.Group operations director PaulDolan said: “Funding theemployment support serviceourselves allows us greaterflexibility when serving ourcustomers, clients andpartners throughout Kirklees.We are excited about this newera and look forward tocontinuing our positive work inthe local community.”UP & Working said it hadachieved major success overthe past five years – placingmore than 500 people intoemployment, supporting morethan 1,000 beneficiaries andassisting more than 100individuals with skillsdevelopment.The company has alsosupported more than 50businesses in the region andhelped to create 15 new jobsamong those firms.UP & Working Ltd will continuewith its commercial activitysupplying temporary andpermanent staff .The UP & Working project isled by Access Matrix Ltd, asubsidiary of the awardwinning Sadeh Lok HousingGroup.

Call to safeguard export fundingSUPPORT for manufacturers mustbe safeguarded from governmentspending cuts, said an engineeringindustry leader.

Alan Hall, Yorkshire regionaldirector of the EEF said a survey bythe manufacturing employers’organisation showed that memberfirms were making inroads intoexport markets – leaving the UKbetter placed to take advantage ofrecovery in the world economy.

The survey of 227 manufacturingcompanies showed that more than90% of them are involved in export-ing while more than 40% derivemore than half their turnover fromoverseas sales.

Furthermore, over the past fouryears further progress has beenmade in tapping into new, emergingmarket opportunities, especially inthe Middle East and Asia – witheven the smallest companies mak-ing progress into overseas markets.

The survey showed that 80% offirms polled aimed to extend theirreach into new markets.

Despite tough trading condi-tions, half of manufacturers expan-ded their exports in the past 12months and about one in five man-aged to increase exports by morethan 10%.

More than half of companies saidthey had responded to the changed

economic environment by rethink-ing their export strategy.

The survey warned that a numberof hurdles stood in the way of firmstaking full advantage of a recoveryin global markets – particularlyuncertainty about exchange ratesand recent volatility of sterling.

The report followed latest gov-ernment figures showing UKexporters saw a return to betterform in February.

A rebound in sales meant that thevalue of exports of goods – exclud-ing oil– was up by 6% in the latestquarter compared with a year ago.Imports grew by 4.4%.

Mr Hall said: “Exporting has

now become the lifeblood of UKmanufacturers and we are now see-ing more signs of an export-ledrecovery.

“But exporting is a team gamerequiring ambition for manufactur-ers, a collaborative approach frombanks to provide the finance, theright foreign exchange risk manage-ment tools and world class exportsupport services.

“The foundations are there, but ifwe are to re-balance the economythe next government must build onthese and not turn off the fundingtap for essential trade support ser-vices.”

y can get ausiness using

Firm finds key toattracting salesA COMPANY providing kitchen equipment istuning into more sales after adopting a musicaltheme for its stand at a major exhibition.

WS Westin Ltd, based at Phoenix Mills, LeedsRoad, recruited Fixby-based singer OliviaHutchinson to entertain visitors to the stand atthe Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Exhibitionstaged at the NEC in Birmingham.

The company had bought 1,000 copies of herdebut album, Classics, to distribute to potentialclients on its stand.

Westin also demonstrated the flexibility of itslatest laser cutting technology by displaying acooker extraction hood designed and made tolook like the top of a grand piano.

Sales and marketing manager Ann Phillipssaid the stand’s jazz and art deco theme, Olivia’ssinging and the curvy cooker hood had hit all theright notes.

The company won the award for best designedstand in its category. It was also rewarded withan increase in visitor numbers compared to itslast appearance and a clutch of new leads andorders.

Ann said: “The exhibition happens every twoyears. This year, we wanted to do somethingcompletely different for the four days of theshow. We went for a theme to increase ourchances of attracting more visitors and gettingmore business.

“Olivia was fantastic in attracting the crowdsand the ‘piano’ cooker hood showed what we arecapable of doing following our investment inlaser technology.

“Two years ago, we got 160 visitors to thestand. This time, we had 435 and we have alreadyhad three orders from it.”

But she stressed: “The show represented theteam effort of the company with all staff involvedin making it such a resounding success. Withorders already coming in as a result of the show,all the hard work is really paying off.”

Ann said the company, which provides cookerhoods and splashbacks to architects, designersand kitchen manufacturers UK-wide, had beenable to achieve sales growth and increased profitsdespite the recession.

■ WINNERS: TheWestin team (above) ofsales and marketingmanager Ann Phillips(front), northern regionsales manager RichardCooley (back) andcustomer liaisonmanager DavidBroadbent, receive theiraward from Sam Cande,of the exhibitionorganisers, for the beststand, which featuredsinger Olivia Hutchinson(right) and apiano-shaped cookerhood (far right) It’s the Biz!

KIRKLEES firms have beenurged to support an awardsscheme recognisingoutstanding smallercompanies.The appeal comes fromHuddersfield man StephenWaud, who is founder ofYorkshire’s Biz Awards, whichrecognises inspirational SMEsacross the region which havetriumphed over adversity.Mr Waud, fund director ofBradford Enterprise Fund andco-sponsors the awards withBradford Kickstart andApproach PR, said: “We arecalling for sponsors to ensurethe Biz Awards continues togive recognition toorganisations which aremaking a difference but wouldotherwise be unnoticed.”Visit www.thebizawards.co.ukor contact Charlotte Booth orBecky Armstrong at ApproachPR on 01274 722552.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6Realists reaprewards in latestproperty saleVENDORS with realistic expectationswere the major winners at a recentproperty auction.Eddisons reported that 90 of the 122lots on offer were sold at its latesttwo-day sale held in Leeds andManchester.Spokesman Tony Webber said:“Sellers who acknowledged currentmarket conditions by setting realisticreserve prices were rewarded asbuyers reacted positively to what theyperceived as being good value formoney.“As we reach the second quarter ofthe year, funding continues to be anissue which gives cash buyers theupper hand.”Highlights from the sale included aformer adult training centre atHemsworth, near Wakefield, whichwas offered on the instructions ofWakefield Council and sold for£100,000.A former fire station in Settle, NorthYorkshire, was the subject of some ofthe keenest bidding. The property,offered on the instructions of CravenDistrict Council with planning consentfor a single residential dwelling, soldfor £82,000 off a guide price of£55,000-plus.A parcel of land covering aboutone-and-a-half acres close to the RevaReservoir near Menston, Leeds, whichsold for £22,000 off a guide price of£5,000-plus.The next Eddisons Property Auctionscheduled for May 6 has been movedto Tuesday May 11, to avoid a clashwith the general election. It takesplace at noon at Leeds UnitedFootball Club, Elland Road, Leeds.

Positive signsfor Yorkshirehousing sectorHOUSING market activity in Yorkshire ispicking up– but the rise in prices is slowingdown.

The latest survey from the Royal Institu-tion of Chartered Surveyors showed that abalance of 44% of members in the regionreported a rise in new instructions last monthcompared with 30% in February.

The number of new buyer enquiries fellslightly to 14% from 17%.

Nationally, a balance of 21% of surveyorssaw a rise in new instructions, which is anincrease on the 16% reported in February,New buyer enquiries stabilised in March.

A large proportion of the UK’s surveyorssaid that political uncertainty was persuad-ing vendors to market their property beforethe impending General Election.

That had resulted in many of the housingmarket indicators remaining positive orstable.

The survey revealed a significant variationin regional price trends.

Prices are rising in London, the South-east

and Scotland, but falling in Yorkshire, EastAnglia, the North and the West Midlands.

Activity in Yorkshire is expected to pick upfurther over the coming months – with mostof the area’s surveyors expecting prices tostabilise.

RICS spokesman Mark Hunter said:“During March, we have experienced a con-siderable increase in sales.

“The general public has started noticingmore ‘sold notices’ and the perception thatthe market is improving has a huge positiveeffect on consumer confidence, which goes along way to encourage vendor activity.”

Said Mr Hunter: “Contrary to popularperception, Easter is not a busy period asmost people wish to holiday or rest after along winter.

“But we look forward from mid-Aprilonwards with renewed confidence.

“Usually the residential property market isthe first into recession and one of the first outof it.”

Expansion plansturn to W Yorks

■ SITE PLAN: Philip MacLauchlan, ofToolstation, is seeking new sites to open inHuddersfield, Halifax and Wakefield to addto its chain, which already includes outlets inLeeds, Sheffield, Rotherham andDoncaster

A COMPANY supplyingtools and building productshas launched a propertysearch in West Yorkshire.

Toolstation is keen to setup new trade counters inHuddersfield, Halifax andWakefield in a move whichcould create at least 12 newjobs.

The firm already has sitesat Leeds, Sheffield, Rother-ham and Doncaster.

Toolstation said Hudders-field, Halifax and Wakefieldhad been highlighted as keyareas for the firm’s newexpansion programme.

“Our requirements in Hal-ifax, Huddersfield andWakefield are quite spe-c i f i c , ” s a i d P h i l i pMacLauch lan , wh o i sresponsible for the expan-sion drive. “We requirepremises of between 4,000sqft and 8,000sq ft with carparking and loading facilit-ies.

“New or modern ware-

houses or trade counterswould be ideal and we arehappy to consider existing orpart complete buildings ordevelopments.

“We are really keen toopen in all three locations assoon as possible, so we areworking fast. We are realisticabout the rents we will haveto pay and our confidence inthis market enables us toconsider good length leases,including 10-year leaseswhere appropriate incentivesare provided.”

Mr MacLauchlan said atleast four jobs would be cre-ated for each new tradecounter – with the figure ashigh as eight depending onthe specific location.

Toolstation lays claim tooffering one of the largestranges of products for build-ing and related trades, withmore than 10,000 key itemsimmediately available.

eddisons.comLeeds, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Glasgow, Huddersfield

Eddisons

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7Occupants for prime sites

Gains fromgoing greenAN advocate for energy-saving measures inbusiness has urged companies to safeguardtheir “triple bottom line”.

Chris Harrop, group marketing director forBirkby-based building products firm Mar-shalls and the man hailed as a “green guru” forthe construction industry, said businesses hada lot to lose by failing to tackle energywaste..

Mr Harrop said: “The best business advice Ihave ever received was from Jonathon Porritt,a former director of Friends of the Earth.

“He said you have to manage the ‘triplebottom line’ – economic, social and environ-mental factors. It’s an ethos that has becomecentral to our strategy at Marshalls, enablingus to improve our profitability, minimise ourimpact on the environment and act to improvethe lives of workers, their families and localcommunities.”

Said Mr Harrop: “Businesses have a lot tolose from energy wastage. Smart energy man-agement not only cuts costs, but also makesorganisations more productive and improvestheir reputation with customers.

“So, for us, embarking on an energy-effi-ciency journey for Marshalls was a simpledecision, both in terms of staying competitiveand supporting our workforce.

“Marshalls embarked on this journey morethan four years ago and my only regret is thatwe didn’t act sooner.

“Our first step was to get an objective,expert view of where we were wasting energyand an action plan to tackle it through aCarbon Trust survey. The sooner you start, the

sooner you begin to reap the rewards in termsof lower energy bills, reduced carbon emis-sions and an enhanced reputation with stake-holders, customers, staff and suppliers.”

Mr Harrop said that with energy pricesrising, the threat of climate change and stilldifficult economic conditions meant cuttingenergy bills and carbon all at the same timemade sound business sense.

And he added: “You’d be surprised howmany staff adopt the sustainability cause giventhe opportunity. We now have drivers compet-ing with each other to see who can drive moreefficiently, with help from our carbon-reduc-tion route planning software.

“Whatever you do in the environmentaldomain, it must be genuine and independentlycertified. Avoid ‘greenwashing’ at all costs.Too many companies pay lip service to ‘green’issues and risk undermining the already fragileconsumer confidence in this area of businessperformance.”

Mr Harrop warned that the CRC EnergyEfficiency Scheme coming into effect thismonth meant an increasing number of busi-nesses would be required by law to reduce theircarbon emissions or pay a fine for non-compli-ance.

The Carbon Trust is alerting firms to thechanges through a free survey available tocompanies to identify possible savings onenergy costs. Typically, savings of 20% to 30%can be made. Others taking part in the surveyinclude B&Q and organic food supplier Abel& Cole.

■ GREEN MESSAGE: Chris Harrop, group marketing director of building products firm Marshalls plc, sayscompanies in all sectors can benefit from being more energy-efficient

A PRIME office site in WestYorkshire has a new tenant.Some 15,000sq ft of space hasbeen let at CTP St James’award-winning £100mWaterfront Wakefielddevelopment.A brand-new office building inthe heart of phase one of theWaterfront Wakefielddevelopment has been let toWakefield Council at £15 persq ft and sub-let to mail ordercompany Redcats UK.

Oliver Quarmby, of CTP StJames, said: “The arrival of ourfirst business occupier is amassive vote of confidence inWaterfront Wakefield and willprove a catalyst for the rest ofphase one where we have twofurther office buildings of33,000sq ft to let.“The apartment building isnow fully occupied and therehas been a good deal ofinterest in the retail element ofour development.”

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Newly Constructed Retail/Office Units29 – 33 Greens End Road, Meltham HD9 5NWRetail1 Lock-up retail unit 20.91m2 (225 sq ft)1 £75 p/w exc.Offices1High-grade office development, on-site car parking1 44.46 – 142.32m2 (479 – 1,532 sq ft)Rental: On Application

TO LETSpen Valley HouseBradford Road, Cleckheaton, BD19 5LT1 Prominent ground floor offices1 42 – 84m2 (449 – 898 sq ft)1 Ease of access to Junction 26 of the M62Rental: On Application

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Past mastersat Oakwell HallA BRIGHOUSE catering company isgoing back in time with its latest con-tract.

Food-4-Thought has been awarded athree-year deal to provide a full range ofservices to the coffee shop at historicOakwell Hall at Birstall.

The Elizabethan manor house, whichfeatured in Charlotte Bronte’s novelShirley, was built in 1583 and by the1600s had established a reputation forfine dining with much of the food grownin the grounds.

To n y Wa t k i n s , f o u n d e r o fFood-4-Thought, said: “Everyone inour company is absolutely delighted atthe news which reflects our long stand-

ing association with Oakwell Hall.“We have been working in liaison with

them for some years now providingcatering for numerous activities such asweddings in their large function room,corporate gatherings and other privatemeetings together with events arrangedby Kirklees Council to whom we areapproved suppliers.”

Said Mr Watkins: “We created ourcompany and have built our reputationon providing only seasonal food of thehighest quality, sourced locally whereverpossible, and supported by stylish ser-vice.

“We look forward to being part of theoverall Oakwell Hall experience.” ■ DINING ROOM: Oakwell Hall, Birstall

Powder blue?No, in the pink!A DESIGN and branding agency has given amake-over to a nationally-known beauty salon.

The Powder Lounge, which has brow and lashbars in several leading retail stores, recruitedLindley-based The Individual Agency to create anew look for its concessions – including ones atTopshop’s Oxford Street outlet and selectedbranches of Debenhams.

Shahena Ali, founder of The Powder Lounge,now plans to use the branding to support futureconcessions and product launches as part of thecompany’s growth strategy this year.

The agency drew on the glamour andfemininity of showgirls and burlesque dancers todesign a curvy female silhouette and a craftedmonogram for the P&L initials using pink andblack to make the branding stand out in busystores.

The Individual Agency also worked with aspecialist production company to achieve the

right look for the in-store concession counters –with high-gloss lacquer finishes and seductivespot lighting to bring out the strong pink brandcolour.

Said Shahena: “The Individual Agencydeveloped such a wonderful brand image andretail concept design for my brand that wasbetter than I ever imagined it could be.

“As a result of how good the ‘retail design’looks, I am now being offered a larger spacewithin my high street retailers, which is justfantastic.”

The Individual Agency was launched in 2008and specialises in working with brands, big andsmall – with a particular focus on female brandsand products. Previous assignments haveincluded branding work for leading lingeriecompany Fleur of England and Ben Shaws softdrinks.

Justine Fosh

ImproveJUSTINE Fosh has beenappointed to the new role ofdirector of skills solutions forfood idustry sector skills councilImprove and the National SkillsAcademy for Food and DrinkManufacturing.

Ms Fosh (pictured), moves upfrom her previous post asdirector of the academy followinga shake-up which sees themerger of Improve’s operationsand marketing teams with the academy’smanagement team.

The merger creates a single employer-facingarm responsible for training delivery, engagementand communications. The new team is based atImprove’s headquarters in York.

Ms Fosh said the changes would result in amore streamlined, flexible service for employersoffering a broader range of skills and trainingsolutions.

County honour for Claire

A FINALIST in TV’s The Apprenticehas been handed an unusual honour.

Claire Young, who was a finalist onthe show in 2008 and now runsvenues management companyElegant Venues, has been appointedan official patron of Yorkshire.

The title was conferred on her byregional tourism agency Welcome toYorkshire, which set up the patronagescheme last year to create a list ofhigh-profile ambassadors who will flythe flag for the county and furtherboost tourism – which is worth £6.5bna year to the region’s economy.

Claire joins such luminaries asMichael Parkinson, Jet2 chiefexecutive Phillip Meeson, cricketer,Michael Vaughan and Archbishop ofYork Dr John Sentamu on the list ofpatrons.

Claire, who moved from London toWakefield following the Apprentice,will promote and build on positiveperceptions of Yorkshire bothnationally and internationally as wellas attending events such as the GreatYorkshire Show, in her role as patron.

She is already involved in workingwith various charities and youthenterprise initiatives, including ThePrinces’ Trust, UK Youth, EnterpriseVillage, National Apprenticeships andthe National Council for GraduateEntrepreneurs.

She has also worked withbusinesses includingHuddersfield-based online fashionboutique Business Wardrobe andBirstall-based agency FantasticMedia.

Said Claire: “It’s a great honour tobe asked to become a patron ofYorkshire as I’m fiercely proud of myroots. The county is a great place towork, live and visit.

“The region is expanding anddeveloping so quickly, it’s a real buzzto be part of that and to tell othersabout all that Yorkshire has to offer.

“Four of The Apprentice finalistshave been from Yorkshire – we havea strong work ethic and strength inenterprise.”

■ YOUR’E HIRED: Claire Young, 2008 finalist in The Apprentice and boss ofvenues management company Elegant Venues, as been appointed as aPatron of Yorkshire

Marks & ClerkGraeme Hall

INTELLECTUAL property advisers Marks & Clerkhas expanded its West Yorkshire team with theappointment of Graeme Hall, a chartered andEuropean patent attorney.

Mr Hall, who has a degree in physics fromOxford University is moving to Leeds from thefirm’s Hong Kong office.

He has 17 years experience of working in theFar East, specialises in drafting and filingengineering, physics and electronic-relatedpatents and has worked for a large variety ofcompanies from small start-ups to multi-nationalblue-chips.

Matthew Sammon, managing partner of Marks& Clerk in West Yorkshire, said: “I am verypleased to welcome Graeme. He has many yearsexperience across all areas of intellectual propertyand will be a tremendous asset to the office.

“The Yorkshire region has developed excellenttrade links with the Far East and Graeme’sextensive knowledge and experience of the Asianmarket, especially China, will prove invaluable aswe seek to build and expand on our existingrelationships with clients in the region.”

Baxter CaulfieldEmma Spragg

LAW firm Baxter Caulfield hasadded a new company andcommercial lawyer to its team.

Emma Spragg (pictured) joinsthe Huddersfield-based firm as anassistant solicitor to help serve itsclients across a wide range ofbusiness sectors.

Her responsibilities will includebusiness and share sales andpurchases, contracts andrestructuring as well as clients’day-to-day legal requirements.

After studying law and French at StaffordshireUniversity, Ms Spragg completed her LegalPractice Course at Chester College of Law.

Following a spell at Addleshaw Goddard inLeeds as a paralegal, she secured a trainingcontract with Eaton Smith in Huddersfield andfollowing her qualification gained furtherexperience at Chadwick Lawrence and as anin-house commercial lawyer at Severn Trent WaterAuthority.

Stephen Newman, senior partner at BaxterCaulfield Solicitors, said: “We are pleased towelcome Emma to our company and commercialdepartment.

“Emma’s mix of skills and experience will be anasset to the firm and complement an alreadystrong team.”