KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees23, March, 2010

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DEAN HORN RICHARD DOWNEYFootballers’ lives

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Cafe society

Repor t - Page 4

FTSE 100- 5.58

5644.54An EXAMINER publication

Architectsget creditA SWEDISH bank hasengaged a Huddersfieldarchitect firm to designthe interiors for two ofits branches in the UK.Above & Beyond, basedat Folly Hall, hasdesigned the interior ofthe Handelsbankenoffices in Leeds andYork – utilising itscorporate colours, lightoaks and glass to forma light environment.

UpperdeckingCaravan sites aregetting decked out –thanks to aHuddersfield firm.Slaithwaite-basedColne Valley Deckingand Fencing is in bigdemand at holidayparks across NorthWales.

Uni service that’smade to measure!MANUFACTURERS are getting themeasure of a new facility at Hudders-field University.

The university has linked into theNational Physical Laboratory (NPL)by opening a new measurement ser-vices facility as part of its acclaimedCentre for Precision Technologies.

The decision to site the measure-ment service at the CPL reflects itsstanding in such areas as metrology,precision engineering and the calibra-tion of machine tools.

The official opening of the facilitytook place as part of the university’s2010 research festival.

A day-long series of events includedpresentations from representatives ofthe university, the NPL, the Manufac-turing Technologies Association andRolls Royce.

Topics included the challengesfacing UK manufacturers – and areminder that academic research had avital role to play in the real world.

Dr Brian Bowsher, managing dir-ector of the NPL, said the link-up withthe university had worked well.

He said: “We have had great interac-tion with key industries in the area and

have developed a number of commonappointments here at Huddersfield.

“The way it’s going has been verypositive indeed and a very goodexample of how NPL is working notjust in London, but throughout coun-try as a whole.”

The new facility allows Hudders-field University and its CPL team tocarry out measurement of highly com-plex surfaces such as turbine blades.

The technology includes laser-traceequipment that can be taken on-site tocalibrate large and complex machinetools – meaning a procedure thatmight have taken fortnight can now beaccomplished in a few days.

The CPT also encompasses theEngineering Control and MachinePerformance Group (ECMPG), whichis regularly recruited for majorEurope-wide projects as well as work-ing in the UK and the USA.

The ECMPG, led by university’sAlan Myers, has also been approachedby a consortium of 11 organisations tojoin a new European funded researchproject which aims to make bigimprovements in machine tool accur-acy.

Senior research fellow Dr SimonFletcher was put in charge of the vitalfirst stage of the scheme.

He was unanimously chosen for therole at the first meeting of the consor-

tium, whose members include themajor Italian engineering firm Ales-amonti, the University of SouthernSwitzerland and the Italian NationalMeasurement Institute.

■ PRECISE: Huddersfield University vice-chancellor Prof Bob Cryan (left)with (from left) Alan Myers and Prof Liam Blunt, of the Centre For PrecisonTechnologies, and National Physical Laboratory director Dr Brian Bowsher

Batley boss moves up a gear with takeoverB AT L E Y- b o r n b u s i n e s s m a nLawrence Tomlinson has put hissports car company in the fast lanewith a speedy takeover.

The chairman of Leeds-basedGinetta has bought supercar manufac-turer Farbio Sports Cars in a deal tobenefit both firms.

Mr Tomlinson bought Ginetta in2005 and has pushed the sports carmaker to new levels – with three highlysuccessful one-make championshipsand the GT winning G50 which hasbeaten the likes of Aston Martin.

Farbio, formed in 2005 by ex-racingdriver Chris Marsh, makes the Farbio

GTS and enhanced performance mod-els the GTS350 and GTS400 at itsfacility in Bath.

The car’s unique selling point is itsground-breaking carbon fibre bodywhich ensures that the vehicles arelighter than an average Ford Fiesta atjust 1,048 kg.

Bringing together the Ginetta andFarbio marques is expected to add tothe global presence of the automotivegroup.

Mr Tomlinson said: “I am veryconfident that bringing Farbio underthe Ginetta marque will be an incred-ibly positive move.”

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

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

Local shares

FTSE closed at

5644.5Down 5.5

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.55 dollarsBangladesh................... 97.63 takaBrazil.............................. 2.41 realsCanada....................... 1.45 dollarsChina ............................. 9.12 yuanCzech Republic ...... 25.81 korunasDenmark....................... 7.83 kroneEuro............................... 1.06 euroHong Kong................ 11.01 dollarsHungary ................... 261.73 forintsIndia.......................... 59.94 rupeesJapan........................... 128.89 yenMexico ....................... 16.76 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.97 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.46 kronePakistan.................. 118.57 rupeesPhilippines ................. 58.46 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.26 randSouth Korea.............. 1479.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 160.94 rupeesSweden....................... 10.27 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.51 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.49 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.18 new liraUSA ............................ 1.43 dollars

Carclo 155Chapelthorpe 141/4Marshalls 931/4 -11/2National Grid 639 -1RensburgSheppards

605 -15

Weir Gp 9431/2 +61/2

Forth set to meet biddersTHE UK’s biggest listed ports oper-ator said it would meet with a biddingconsortium after rejecting twotakeover approaches.

Edinburgh-based Forth Ports hasagreed to meet with its suitors “intheir capacity as shareholders” fol-lowing news earlier this month of a£612m takeover approach by a groupof major shareholders.

It also reported full-year figuresshowing a return to the black in 2009– with pre-tax profits of £36.3magainst losses of £30.7m in 2008. Onan underlying basis, profits fell from£36.3m to £33.2m.

Forth Ports owns seven UK ports,including Tilbury in London, Scot-land’s largest container port at Gran-gemouth and Leith in Edinburgh.

The group has seen shares leapahead after revealing takeover interesttwo weeks ago.

It rejected an improved 1340p ashare proposal from a consortiumwhich currently owns 27.4% ofForth’s shares, following an initialapproach in January.

The group said that after consultingits financial and corporate brokingadvisers, it was felt the proposals fellfar short of the value of Forth Ports.

Build Center leadslist of firms for sale

Profits fizz for Irn-Bru makerSOFT drinks firm AG Barr reported a20.8% jump in profits as consumerskept their taste for its iconicIrn-Bru.

The Cumbernauld-based com-pany, which also makes St Clem-ents, Tizer and Rubicon fruit juice,posted underlying pre-tax profits of£27.9m in the year to January 30.

Barr said it had “substantially out-performed the UK soft drinks mar-ket” – with turnover up by 18.7% to£201.4m, while like-for-like salesgrew by 10.6%.

It said the new financial year hadstarted well with sales ahead of2009, but warned of challenges in

the general economic outlook.Barr, which has produced Irn-Bru

to a secret recipe for more than 130years, said revenues from the brandincreased by 5% last year, helped bystrong growth in England andWales.

Sporting sponsorships helpedpropel Barr’s key soft drink – withlinks to the Scottish Football Leagueand Rugby League in England com-plementing a boost to general mar-keting spending.

Overall, the firm said it beat thewider UK soft drinks market, whichgrew by 1% in volume terms and 2%in value over the period.

Sweeterfor GlistenSNACKS firm Glistenposted a 12% rise inhalf-year profits in its lastupdate before beingtaken over by Benecolmaker Raisio.

The company, whichholds the UK rights tomake SunMaid raisinsand Weightwatchersproducts, lifted pre-taxprofits to £2.22m in thesix months to December31, from £1.98m theprevious year.

Failurerate fallsTHE number ofcompanies declaredinsolvent fell in February,a report has revealed.

A total of 1,834 firmswere into insolvencyduring the month – 15%fewer than in Februarylast year, according tobusiness informationservices group Experian.

The group said the fallbrought the overall rateof insolvencies downfrom 0.11% to 0.1%.

But it added that thiswas an increase onJanuary’s insolvency rateof 0.08%, althoughJanuary is typically aquiet month forinsolvencies.

Rolf Hickmann,managing director of pH,an Experian company,mid-sized companieshad been worst hit.

The north-eastsuffered from the highestrate of insolvencies, with0.15% of businesses inthe region failing duringthe month.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £27.18 +0.47Gannett 1069.61 +5.96Hess Corp £40.64 +0.11Microsoft 1955.76 -3.97Motors Liquidation 49.67Wal-Mart Stores £36.82 +0.17

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 811/2BAE Systems 3883/4 +31/8Rolls-Royce Gp 5981/2 -21/2VT Group 690 +31/2

AIMBrady Plc 661/2 -1Dawson Intl 21/2

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 131 +65/8

BANKSBarclays 3535/8 -4HSBC 6781/8 -17/8Lloyds Banking Gp 611/8 +1Ryl Scotland 433/4 -1/4Stan Chart 1756 -141/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1100 +8SABMiller 1951 +7

CHEMICALSCroda 932 +15Elementis 98 54Johnsn Mat 1745 -2

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2821/4 -21/4Costain 25 -3/4

ELECTRICITYDrax Grp 3597/8 -33/8Intl Power 3235/8 +1/8

Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1095 -7

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTChloride 2073/4 -31/4Laird 1277/8 +7/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3395/8 -3/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1225/8 -11/2C & W 1481/4Colt Telecom 1331/2 -1/2KCOM 443/4

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2943/4 -25/8Sainsbury 3291/4 -37/8Tesco 4363/4 -21/2

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 9631/2 +3Nth Foods 571/8 -1/4Tate Lyle 4483/4 -31/2Unilever 1940 -5Uniq 24 -1/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 289 -17/8National Grid 639 -1Pennon Grp 5201/2 -21/2Severn 1198 -8United Utils 553 -61/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2913/8 -11/4ICAP 3813/8 -101/8London StockExch 7351/2 -41/2Man Group 2423/4 -11/4Provident Financial 8701/2 +141/2Schroders 1398 +3Schroders NV 1125 -5

GENERAL INDUSTRIALS

Cooksn Grp 539 -1REXAM 294 +21/4Smiths Grp 1127 +27

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 13 +3/4DSG International 351/8Home Retail 2817/8 -11/2Inchcape 295/8 -1/4Kingfisher 233 +11/2M & S 355 -11/2Mothercare 623 +1Next £203/4WH Smith 4653/8 -13/4

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 678 +81/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 117 -23/4Barrat Dev 1241/4 -3Persimmon 4563/4 -3/4Reckitt Benckiser £353/4 +1/8Taylor Wimpey 387/8 -3/4

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 748 -21/2Delta 1921/2 -13/4I M I 6471/2 +5Man Brnze 841/2 -1

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 3103/8 -15/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 192 +1Forth Ports 1397 +7

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3991/4 -13/4Lgl & Gen 811/4 -11/4Old Mutual 1253/4 -3/4Prudential 5261/2 -61/2Resolution 74

Standard Life 206 -15/8

MEDIABSkyB 5881/2 -1/2Chrysalis 1041/2 -13/4D Mail Tst 480 -31/4ITV 533/4 -1/2Johnston Press 271/4 -3/4Pearson 996 -4Reed Elsevier 5011/2 +21/4STV Group 501/4 +1/2Trinity Mirror 1467/8 -13/4Utd Business 536 -4UTV 1081/2 -21/2WPP 640 -41/2Yell Group 373/4 -1/2

MININGAnglo American £267/8 +1/4Antofagasta 1000 +31/2BHP Billiton £22 +1/8Eurasian NaturalRes

1150 -10

Fresnillo 830 +3Kazakhmys 1476 -7Lonmin 1982 -9Rio Tinto £371/4 +5/8VEDANTARESOURCES

£263/8 +1/8

Xstrata 1141 -2

MOBILE TELECOM SERVICESInmarsat 772 +1/2Vodafone Group 1477/8 -1/4

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1285 +5RSA Insurance Gp 1263/4 -3/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 11801/2 -22BP 6293/4 -51/4Cairn Energy 3783/4 -51/4

Norsk Hdro 4671/8 +1/8Royal Dutch Shell A 1930 -15Royal Dutch Shell B 1844 -11Total £381/8Tullow Oil 1239 -25

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 7601/2 -4Petrofac 1186 +1Wood Group 3731/4 -83/4

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry 710 +41/2PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £293/4 +1/4Axis-Shield 395 +13/4GlaxoSmithK XD 71/2Shire 1481 +11

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4631/8 -103/4

DTZ Hldgs 751/4 +1/4Hamrsn 3833/8 -33/4Land Secs 672 -3SEGRO 317 -13/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1813 -23Dimension Data 937/8 -1/2Invensys 3423/8 +5Logica 1253/4 -1/8Misys 2435/8 -1/8Sage Group 2471/8 -3/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBunzl 7341/2 -2Capita 7561/2 +7Davis ServiceGroup

4071/2 -33/4

De La Rue 940 +31/2Electrocomp 2141/4 +23/8Experian 6461/2 -5G4S 2617/8 +1/4Hays 106 +1/2Homeserve 1754 +48Menzies J 3431/2 +31/2Rentokil 1287/8 +3/8Smiths News 117 +4Wolseley 1586 -34

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 2261/2 +13/8Psion 88Spirent Comms 1201/8 +3/8

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £225/8 +3/8Imperial Tobacco £201/2 +1/4

LEISURE & HOTELSArriva 716 +101/2Brit Airways 241 -21/2Carnival £263/8 -1/8Compass Grp 507 +41/2

easyJet 4483/4 +25/8Enterprise Inns 1221/2 -25/8FirstGroup 376 -41/4Go-Ahead 1431 -40Greene King 4331/4 +27/8Intercontl Htls 1019Ladbrokes 1495/8 -11/4Mitchells & Butlers 2921/8 +11/8Natl Express 220 -17/8PartyGaming 315 -71/4Rank Org 1127/8 -1/8Stagecoach Group 1867/8 -51/8TUI Travel 2943/4 -13/4Whitbread 1528 -12

INDEXFTSE 100 5644.54 -5.58

INDEXFTSE 250 9991.92 -27.85

PLUMBING and heating giant Wolseleysaid its UK Build Center chain is one of 19businesses being earmarked for potentialsale after a group-wide review.

Its Build Center builders’ merchant armin the UK includes a branch at WillowLane in Huddersfield and has 160 outlets intotal employing 1,500 staff.

Build Center and French plumbing firmBrossette are on the list of firms identifiedas under-performing.

The 19 firms account for 19% of grouprevenue and 5% of trading profit. Wolseleysaid it will seek to improve performancebefore deciding to keep them or put themup for sale.

The move comes as part of an overhaulbeing led by recently-hired chief executiveIan Meakins. The shake-up will reverse thegroup’s previous acquisitive strategy – opt-

ing instead to “operate fewer, larger, relatedbusinesses in core geographies”.

The group’s other 22 divisions have beensingled out as “growth engines” or “syn-ergy drivers” where resources will befocused.

News of the review results come asWolseley reported a near-halving of interimlosses to £261m in the six months toJanuary 31 from £464m a year earlier afterswingeing job cuts.

It confirmed more stable trading condi-tions, but results also revealed ongoingchallenges, with trading profit down 34% inthe half-year and revenues falling by 15%.

Reading-based Wolseley, which alsotrades as Plumb Center and owns thebathroom specialist Bathstore – both withoutlets in Huddersfield – said further costcutting in the half-year claimed more than

1,900 jobs, including 745 in the UK, on topof the 10,000 shed the previous year.

Mr Meakins launched the strategyreview after joining last July to help turnthe business around following a torridperiod.

Wolseley shares fell by 2% or 34p to1586p yesterday, despite further signs ofbetter trading.

The group said it improved market shareacross most divisions in the half-year andeased like-for-like sales declines, helped byweaker comparatives.

The US division, accounting for 43% ofgroup revenues, saw declines in the Fer-guson plumbing and heating chain improveto 18% from 22.6% in the previous sixmonths. The UK arm recorded alike-for-like sales fall of 4% compared with13.1% at the end of the last financial year.

■ REVIEW: Ian Meakin,Wolseley chief executive,is leading a shake-up ofthe merchanting group

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

DeanHornRole: Independent foot-ball agentAge: 35Family: Married toSamanthaHolidays: IbizaCar: Golf TDiFirst job: Ink chemistat Hillbrook PrintingBest thing aboutjob: Getting to watchfootball every day!TWorst thing aboutjob: FA administrativerequirements can betime consuming andvery dullBusiness tip: Dowhatever you want, butbe prepared to put in thehoursWork: Football agentand life coachSite: AlmondburyPhone: 01484 328587Email: deanhornfootballagent@gmail.com orcontactdeanhorn@gmail.com

AS a footballer, DeanHorn’s career highlightcame on the hallowed turfat Huddersfield’sGalpharm Stadium.

Playing for Shepley FCin the Barlow Cup final, hescored the winning goal inthe last minute of extratime to clinch the title witha 2-1 victory against NewMill in 2006.

Now the self-confessedfootball-crazy 35-year-oldis making a name forhimself as a football agent– with the aims ofrepresenting high-profileprofessional footballersand helping to discoverand nurture the WayneRooneys and DavidBeckhams of the future.

Dean had 13 yearsexperience in retail andsales management beforetaking the advice of afriend and seeking a newcareer.

He says: I still play forShepley, where I amplayer-coach, but I realisedI wasn’t good enough to bea professional footballer, soI decided to get involved inthe game in a different way.

“I decided to get myselfan education, so I studiedbusiness law atHuddersfield University,where they were so helpfulin guiding me. Then, Istudied to be a barristerand went to bar school. Iwas called to the bar in2008 at Lincoln’s Inn.”

Dean sat the FA footballagent exam in March lastyear and in April became aplayers’ agent licensed bythe Football Associationwith full professionalindemnity insurance.

Now he works withclubs, football scouts andcoaches to seek outpromising young playersand represent them incontract negotiations withprospective clubs – as wellas helping them in otherareas of their life such aslife coaching, sponsorship,sports psychology andfinancial management.

Says Dean: “Being afootball agent is a lot like

any business, but it iscompletely ‘contact-based’.You pick up the phone andmake lots of calls.”

Dean receives footage ofplayers from coaches andscouts and watches gameshimself – focusing onnon-league clubs andinternational lower leaguesides.

“I receive 150 emails aweek about players I’mbeing asked to look at –but maybe only five ofthem will be worth going towatch,” says Dean. “Icompile players’ CVs withthe information clubs need–how many goals theyscore, how manyappearances and howmany ‘assists’.

“It is a long week’s workfor potentially no or littlereward.”

However, less than ayear into his new career,Dean now has 10 playerson the books – and ishoping for huge thingsfrom his star signing,Egyptian internationalHany Said, who hasattracted interest from anumber of English clubsafter impressing during therecent England v Egyptgame.

In this case, Dean’s vitalcontact was UEFA coachand former Egyptianinternational TarekHassan, who knew most ofthe current Egyptian side.

“He suggested we joinup and talk to some of theplayers,” says Dean. “Wearranged a meeting whilethey were in London.”

The end result wasagreeing a two-yearrepresentative contractwith centre-half Hany Said,who has more than 50caps for his country.

“I was never going to getsuch an opportunity,” saysDean. “I believe I earnedthat opportunity with thework I put in.”

Dean realises thatfootball agents are not heldin high esteem bysupporters or clubchairmen, but insists:“There is room in the game

for an ethical agent, whodoes what is right for theplayer.

“About 30% of agentsare ex-players, who knowfootballers and havecontacts, but whosebusiness knowledge mayleave a lot to be desired.About 1% of agents arewhat you might call ‘wideboys’ who are intoself-promotion, but don’thave the contacts or thequalifications.

“Then there are peoplelike me, who love thegame, play the game andunderstand the game, butalso have a business headon their shoulders.”

Dean certainly knowswhat to look for in a player– and it’s not just aboutability.

“My role models areplayers like Ryan Giggsand Paul Scholes, whodemonstrate loyalty to theirclub, hard work andcommitment,” he says. “Alot of players have becomemercenaries – that’s whyyou get more loan dealsand more short-termcontracts because clubsdon’t trust them to stay.

“Apart from theRonaldos of this world,footballers are very similarin terms of quality andability. What it comes downto is how muchcommitment and

dedication do they show?Do they look afterthemselves mentally andphysically.

“As an agent researchingplayers of the right calibre,I know that it doesn’tmatter to the managerwhether or not theirmarriage is in difficulties orwhat messages they arecaught texting – it’s theability to step over thewhite line and do the jobon the football field week inand week out that counts..”

Says Dean: “The secretof researching a player isto look at the footballerrather than the stats. Whatis he doing when the teamare 3-0 down? Is hedigging in and still makingthe tackles? If he’s out ofthe team, is he still workinghard in training to get backin?”

Dean has little time forplayers who squander theiropportunities. “Footballersat most levels of the gameare earning enough moneyto have a nice living out ofthe game,” he says.

“As someone who hadthe desire to play the gamemyself, I find it frustratingwhen a player cannotcommit to that period oftheir lives – 12 to 15 yearsin most cases – and give ita real go.”

As a younger man, Deanhad the opportunity to trainwith Town’s apprentices asone of the finalists in aSearch for a Starcompetition run by theclub. He got down to thelast five.

That experience alsoimpressed on him the needfor young players to getqualifications such asGCSEs and A-levels tohelp them pursue othercareers if they fail torealise their footballingdream.

Dean works with BrookHouse Academy inLeicestershire – a sort ofboarding school forfootballers where studentstake academic lessons inthe mornings and getcoached in football during

the afternoons.He also provides life

coaching for people outsidefootball to help theirself-development orcareers.

“The recession hasprovided some people withan opportunity,” says Dean.“People who are out ofwork – made redundantfrom jobs they didn’t wantto be in – can turn thingsaround, look at what theyreally want to do as theirdream job and go for it.”

■ BOOKED: Footballagent Dean Horn takes anethical approach

Footballfan Deanhas newgoals!

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Law firm targets 33% growth rateA LAW firm with offices in Hudders-field is ending the current financialyear on a high – after setting inmotion plans to achieve 33% growthduring the next 12 months.

Switalskis Solicitors, which has abranch at New Street, secured £1mfunding from Royal Bank of Scot-land last October.

Since then, the firm has recruitedalmost 30 staff, including a medicalnegligence team of six from Barns-ley-based firm Raleys.

The new department will provideservices in Huddersfield and acrossthe firm's base of six West Yorkshireoffices.

Jim Gladman, head of the newmedical negligence department, said:“The move to Switalskis has been apositive one for us.

“We are delighted to be part of aforward-thinking, award winning

team and look forward to making areal contribution to the firm'sgrowth.”

Switalskis managing partner JohnDurkan, said: “Jim and his teamhave an excellent reputation in thefield of medical negligence work.

“The new department is alreadyproving an asset to the firm.

“The addition of this and othernew services means that now, morethan ever, Switalskis clients can findall the help and advice they needunder one roof – something that iscentral to our plans for growththroughout the coming year.”

Since January, Switalskis has alsoadded residential conveyancing andemployment law to its range of ser-vices and now has specialists in 15different areas of law across WestYorkshire.

EnterprisingendeavourWOULD-BEentrepreneursin Kirklees canfind out what ittakes to runtheir ownbusiness at aseries of freeevents.Business LinkYorkshire isstaging theweekend Enterprise Shows inLeeds, Hull, Sheffield and York,which run from late March to earlyMay.Helen West (pictured), chiefexecutive of Business Link, said:“There are generally two types ofpeople who start businesses –those with a great idea who needto test it out before deciding if itcould make money and those whohave a sense that they want to runtheir own business – but haven’tcome up with a ‘good idea’ yet.“Once they are at the EnterpriseShow, we have all the support tohelp them find good ideas,research potential markets andput together plans.”The Enterprise Shows 2010 takevisitors through the steps ofstarting and running a businesswith advice from bankers,accountants, HM Revenue &Customs, business and patentinformation services andBusiness Link advisers.Seminars cover start-up topicssuch as marketing and practicaladvice from an entrepreneur.The Enterprise Shows 2010 will beheld on March 27 and 28 atMillennium Square, Leeds; April10 and 11 at City Hall, Hull; April24 and 25 at Meadowhall CoachPark, Meadowhall; and May 8 and9 at York Racecourse.The shows run from 10am to 5pmon Saturdays and 10am to 4pm onSundays.Register free for a priority ticketat: www.theenterpriseshows.com

Cafe owner takesa slice of city lifeBUSINESSMAN Richard Downey isexpanding his restaurant interests withan acquisition in South Yorkshire.

Richard, who owns the Rock Cafe inVictoria Lane, Huddersfield, hasacquired the anchor unit at LeopoldSquare in Sheffield to expand his leisureoperation.

Funding for the acquisition camefrom NatWest and the South YorkshireInvestment Fund. Work on the sitestarts in May and the 3,500sq ftnew-built unit is due to open in Septem-ber.

Said Richard: “The building isunique. It’s glazed from floor to ceiling,really bright and airy and a great spaceto work with.

“The bar and grill will have an islandbar with zinc bar top and an importedtin ceiling brought in for the UnitedStates.

“Pianists will play from 5pm to 9pmon a baby grand piano and a cocktailmenu with a choice of over 200 cocktailswill be available.”

The venue will serve mainly Britishdishes and seafood with an accent onfresh and locally sourced produce – withold favourites like bangers and mash,fish and chips, line-caught same-dayWhitby scampi and a range of char-grilled steaks.

“We’re going mid-market in Shef-field,” said Richard. “We saw a gap inthe market in the city centre for a venueand music policy aimed at a slightlymore mature clientele who aspire tosomething a little better.

“We’ve been negotiating the dealsince 2008. At first, the landlordswouldn’t split the building and we wentback six months later and they gave inand said ‘yes’.

“There are some real opportunitiesout there at the moment in terms ofgood locations and for the first time in along time the landlords have to sit downand really negotiate terms.”

Said Richard: “Being the last into agreat square like Leopold has itsadvantages.

“We already know what’s there andwhat is missing. For instance, there arethree Italian restaurants, a Spanishtapas and a Wagamama noodles bar.

“You can’t get traditional British foodand no one is doing the music policystuff that we know – and that has takenyears for us to perfect! We’re hoping totake Sheffield by storm!”

Richard has recruited ChristianAdams, head cocktail barman at theLiving Room in Leeds, to oversee stafftraining and procurement.

■ RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Richard Downey (above, left) , whoowns the Rock Cafe in Victoria Lane, Huddersfield, has acquiredthe anchor unit (pictured) at Leopold Square in Sheffield to expandhis leisure operation

■ TEAM PICTURE: TheSwitalskis medical negligence team comprising(from left) Lisa Mann, Sarah Tipton Walker, Michelle Oldroyd, JimGladman, Claire Garrity and Charlotte Reeves

They’re understarters ordersA BREAKFAST event aims to getYorkshire companies fit for theeconomic recovery.The event – Ready, Set, Go! – willbe held on Tuesday, March 30, atThorpe Park Hotel in Leeds toshow how businesses across theregion can get a head start bymotivating talented employeesand keeping them on board.The event, organised by Investorsin People and supported byBusiness Link Yorkshire andYorkshire Forward, includespractical tools and tips on how tohelp organisations improve theirresults in 2010.Go to www.yhal.org.uk

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Decking firm ina holiday mood!

A FIRM in Huddersfield is helping caravan-ners improve the look of their holidayhomes.

Colne Valley Decking and Fencing, run byhusband and wife David and Joanne Dibb, isin huge demand on caravan sites across NorthWales.

The Slaithwaite-based company is anapproved installer of Sash UK’s Fitrite PVCdecking and fencing.

The couple launched the business just twoyears ago – since when they have landedprestigious contracts with leading leisureparks in the principality, including White-house Leisure Park, Gorse Hill Caravan Park,Edwards Leisure Park and Lyons HolidayParks.

Gorse Hill has granted the company anexclusive installers contract for its park inConwy, while another park, Craig-y-mor isunder development in Llanddulas.

Whitehouse Leisure Park has chosen ColneValley Decking and Fencing to carry outinstallations on its forthcoming residentialwooden lodge development in Towyn.

Joanne had to give up work about fouryears ago after being diagnosed with cancer.

She said: “I could not do my job because I

got too tired. Soon after giving up work, I feltuseless and worthless and just felt I wanted todo something.”

The couple were introduced to the world ofPVC decking when they visited Sash UK onroute to Cookridge Hospital, where Joannewas receiving treatment.

Joanne said: “We looked into PVC deckingfor our own caravan and I thought: ‘I could dothat. It would be a nice pastime to keep meoccupied and take my mind off my healthproblems.

“After numerous visits to Sash UK, wedecided to give it a go and my ‘little somethingto do’ went like a rocket.

“I spend most of my summer in NorthWales running the business while David over-

sees it from Slaithwaite. We employ fitters toinstall the decks, who worked non-stop all lastyear.”

The company, which has a website atwww.colnevalleydecking,co.uk, was given aboost by the recession – as people opting toholiday in Britain to save money decided toimprove the look and facilities at their holidayhomes.

Said Joanne. “I didn’t realise how busy itwould be. I was in Wales all summer and wewere even working during Christmas weekand the first week of the new year.

“Now the 2010 season is starting, we aregetting lots of enquiries already. We expect tobe even busier as we are doing domestic workas well as contracts in Wales.”

Recyclingthat packsa biggerpunchA COMPANY supplying wholefoodshas it all wrapped up.Elland-based Suma Foods is set touse the mostenvironmentally-friendly packagingavailable for its range of dried fruit,nuts, seeds, beans, pulses andsnacks..Spokesman Andrew Mackintosh said:“Suma has been wholesalingwholefoods, eco-friendly productsand fair trade goods for over threedecades and in that time hasintroduced a number of productswhich are now accepted as the normin mainstream grocery.“April 1 sees us introducing anotherinnovation previously unseen in theUK food market.“A recent repackaging exercise led todevelopments that couldfundamentally change recycling inflexible food packaging.“We discovered, through one of ourcommercial partners, that the sametechnology that can recycle plasticbottles into more plastic bottlescould be applied to flexible foodpackaging like bags of fruit or nuts.“Not only is the carbon footprint ofthe process lower than any otherpackaging medium, but it also meansthat the packaging itself is 100%recyclable.”The UK creates more than 3m tonnesof plastic waste each year – with anestimated 56% of all plastics wastebeing derived from packaging,three-quarters of which is fromhouseholds. It is estimated that only7% of total plastic waste is currentlybeing recycled.From April, the full range of Suma’spackaged dried fruit, nuts, seeds,beans, pulses and snacks will be inthis recycled and fully recyclablepackaging, representing more than250 product lines.Said Mr Mackintosh: “Our customerstrust us to make ethical decisions ontheir behalf and we are confident thatthis form of packaging has thepotential to make a great deal ofdifference environmentally.”

■ TOP DECK: David and Joanne Dibb (above, left), of Colne Valley Decking and Fencing,and an example of the firm’s work at Gorse Hill Caravan Hill, North Wales

All on board for big eventTACTICS to get more women intothe boardrooms of Britain is thefocus of a meeting in West Yorkshirethis week.

The event, called Journey to theBoardroom, is part of the Womeninto Leadership series organised bythe UK Resource Centre for Womenin Science, Engineering, Technologyand the Built Environment in part-nership with the West YorkshireLifelong Learning Network.

Leia Bassett, sector officer for thedigital industries for WYLLN –

which is based at Huddersfield Uni-versity – said that women in leader-ship and management had alwaysbeen under-represented in the sci-ence, engineering and technology(SET) industries.

She said: “The views of womenhave never been more important,especially in the technology sectorwhere the majority of women usetechnology every day, even if theydon’t occupy ‘techie’ roles.

Journey to the Boardroom will beopened by Gillian Arnold, director

of Ag Resourcing – formerly a tech-nical manager at IBM – and a stra-tegic panel member for the BritishComputer Society.

She will be joined on the panel byJanice Scanlon, director of appoint-ments for the NHS AppointmentsCommission, and Allyson Reid, dir-ector of strategy and communica-tions for the Technology StrategyBoard.

The event will be held on Friday atthe Rose Bowl in Leeds. Go tohttp://www.wylln.ac.uk/Events

Hot propertiesEIGHTEEN impressive buildings and prop-erty schemes in West Yorkshire are set tobattle it out for major honours against someof the best property initiatives in the region.

The 18 have made it to the shortlist of the2010 Pro Yorkshire Awards run by the RoyalInstitution of Chartered Surveyors.

Projects from Wakefield, Bradford, Leeds,Halifax, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge areamong the finalists.

The RICS in Yorkshire received 77 entriesfor the awards, which are regarded as theregion’s property “Oscars”.

After initial judging, 45 schemes havemade it to the shortlist – and the chance oflifting one of eight trophies.

The regional winners in four of the cat-egories – Building Conservation, Sustainab-ility, Community Benefit and Regeneration –will also go forward to the national RICSAwards, where they compete against otherleading projects from across the UK.

Colin Harrop, chairman of the RICSYorkshire and Humberside judging panel,praised the standard and diversity of entriesfor the 2010 awards..

He said: “The RICS Pro Yorkshire Awardspresent an ideal opportunity for the sectorsthat have been hit hard by the recession toshowcase the great work that is underway inthe region, despite the poor market condi-tions.

“We were delighted to see the entries pourin. Once again, the tremendous variety andhigh standard of projects has far exceededour expectations – which is a true testamentto the resilience and excellence of Yorkshireand Humberside’s property and constructionprofessionals.”

Judging of the shortlisted awards is nowunderway, and the winners of the 2010 RICSPro Yorkshire Awards will be revealed at aspecial gala dinner held on Friday, May 14,at The Pavilion, Elland Road, Leeds.

Agency is best dealmaker

TrophywinnerA COMPANY providing claddingfor property regeneration schemeshas won a national award.

Meltham-based Structherm wasrecognised at the SustainMagazine Awards for itscontribution to the refurbishment ofthe Daneville Estate in Liverpool,which included the extensive useof the firm’s structural insulatedcladding system.

Marketing director YvonneColdwell, who collected the prizeon behalf of the firm, said: “We areabsolutely delighted thatStructherm have won this award.

“The external refurbishmentwork carried out by HansonStructherm has completelychanged the look and feel of theentire estate, with once-voidproperties now enjoying a 100%take up with a waiting list forhouses on the estate.”

The awards recognise projectsand organisations at the forefrontof housing sustainability bestpractice.

They were presented at aspecial gala dinner attended bymore than 450 guests at the firstnight of Ecobuild at ChelseaFootball Club in London.

The audience includedarchitects, housing developers,engineers, consultants, housingassociations and manufacturersworking in the field of sustainability.

Set for auction saleALMOST 150 lots come underthe hammer when commercialproperty agent Eddisonsstages its latest two-dayauction this month.Instructions have beenreceived from a range oforganisations, including LeedsCity Council, Yorkshire Water,Enterprise Inns, WakefieldCouncil and variousinsolvency practitioners.Tony Webber, of Eddisons,said: ‘Retail investments, land,

public houses, industrialground rents, former schoolpremises, garage investments,tenanted and vacant housesand flats are all wellrepresented and are very muchpriced to sell.”The two-day sale takes place atnoon on Thursday at LeedsUnited FC, Elland Road, Leeds;and at 1pm next Tuesday atThe Fairways Lodge andLeisure Club, Prestwich,Manchester.

■ PRIZE GIVING: Yvonne Coldwell, of Structherm, receives the award fromStuart Oakes, sales manager, of Stroma Certification at the 2010 SustainAwards in London

PROPERTY agency Knight Frank has beenacclaimed as the most active agency team inthe Estate Gazette’s Deals Competition for2009.

The firm’s Leeds and Sheffield officescompleted more successful deals in theoffices category than any other commercialproperty agent in Yorkshire last year.

Guy Cooke, partner for Knight Frank inLeeds, said: “This is a tremendous coup forKnight Frank in Yorkshire and is a tribute to

everyone’s hard work in these challengingtimes.

“The office market has inevitably beenslow as firms look to consolidate rather thanexpand, but there were deals to be done lastyear as our record shows, if the location andthe strategy were right.

“We have great coverage across Yorkshireand Knight Frank is now looking to build onthis success.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7

They’re a class act!EMPLOYEES at a specialistglass bending company havebeen presented with NVQlevel 2 qualifications.

Some 30 members of staff atNovaglaze Gardner & New-ton Ltd were presented withcertificates by Tom Steel,external verifier for awardsbody GQA, and Brian Lee, ofB a r n s l e y C o l l e g e, wh oassessed the employees.

Training undertaken by theL o c k w o o d - b a s e d f i r mcovered topics includinghealth and safety, quality andprocess improvement.

Company director Gary

Smith said: “Highly trainedstaff are key to a growing busi-ness and NGN is wholly com-mitted to providing training toits workforce.

“Our staff have producedexcellent work and fullydeserve the recognition andqualifications.”

Other staff members arenow working towards gainingthe GQA NVQ level 3 qualific-ations – again with BarnsleyCollege.

Novaglaze, which datesback almost 200 years, special-ises in supplying curved glassfor a variety of applications

and locations, including royalpalaces and stately homes aswell as airports, hotels andshopping centres.

T h e c o m p a n y h a s a46,000sq ft factory at Queen’sMill Road, Lockwood, a16,000sq ft site in east Londonand a distribution depot inEdinburgh.

Last year, Novaglaze gainedthe ISO 9001:2008 quality cer-tificate and two British Stand-ards Institute kite marks.

The company is also donat-ing glass for the conservatoryrestoration work at Green-head Park in Huddersfield.

■ WELL DONE: GQA external verifier Tom Steel (cente, left) presents certificates to HenryDarko (centre right) and colleagues at Novaglaze Gardner & Newton

Moves toDewsburyDISCOUNT retailerPoundland has taken astore in Dewsbury.Ravenhill Estates, advisedby international realestate advisor Savills, haslet units 19-23 at ThePrincess of WalesPrecinct in Dewsbury,West Yorkshire toPoundland.The value retailer hasagreed a new 10-yearlease on the store, whichtotals 3,500sq ft andcomprises the formerClaire’s Accessories andLa Senza units as well asthe existing Thomas Cookunit.Thomas Cook now movesto a new 1,000sq ft storeat the scheme previouslyoccupied by Thorntons.Poundland, will pay anannual rent of £100,000.Austin Baird at RavenhillEstates, comments:“Securing Poundland hasbeen a major coup forRavenhill in the currenteconomic climate.”Steve Henderson, atSavills, said the newlettings further underlinedthe commitment fromestablished retailers toDewsbury.

Designers makinga bank statementA SWEDISH bank has engageda Huddersfield architect firm todesign the interiors for two of itsbranches in the UK.

Above & Beyond, based atFolly Hall, has designed theinterior of the Handelsbankenoffices in Leeds and York.

The design teamed the bank’scorporate colours of blues andgreys with light oaks to give aScandinavian feel as well as lotsof glass to create a light and openenvironment.

The interior design specialistwas briefed to deliver a “calm,professional environment” forthe business bank in each loca-tion and worked closely witheach branch manager on thedevelopment of the designscheme, office layout and fit outof the office space.

As Handelsbanken plans toexpand further in the UK, Above& Beyond hopes to continue tobuild on the relationship andhelp the bank deliver a consistent

brand look across its growingportfolio of branches.

Richard Hammond, of Han-delsbanken, said: “We wereimpressed by the way in whichAbove & Beyond translated ourcolour palette and corporate val-ues to create a welcoming com-mercial interior.”

Andrew Stoddart, managingdirector of Above & Beyond,said: “We’re pleased with therelationship we’ve developedwith Handlesbanken.

“Our clear and open approachto listening to their requirements,together with the teams skill increatively translating the briefand managing project deliveryon site has meant we haveachieved positive results.

“We hope that after complet-ing these two interiors success-fully they will be the first of manyas we continue to build the rela-tionship with Handelsbankenfurther.”

■ CREDIT: Above & Beyond in Huddersfield has designed the interiors for twoHandelsbanken branches in Leeds and York

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

LiquidAccounts

Andrew Marshall

ANDREW Marshall has joined Longwood-basedLiquid Accounts as client services officer.

Mr Marshall moves to the online accountingsoftware specialist from Leeds-based Aramark.He joined that company after graduating fromLeeds University last year.

In his new role, Mr Marshall, who is studyingfor a professional certificate in marketing, willwork with Darren Garland and Richard Holmesto offer telephone support to the firm’s clients.

RamsdensSolicitors

Lynda Shackleton

LAW firm Ramsdens Solicitorshas appointed licensedconveyancer Lynda Shackletonas a partner.

Ms Shackleton (pictured)heads the Holmfirth office andhas been with the firm since1997. She has spent the past 13years with Ramsdens, where shestarted as a conveyancer in theresidential conveyancingdepartment.

Speaking about her promotion, she said: “It’s ahuge honour to be made partner in Ramsdensand to be allowed to take an active role in themanagement of the business.”

Paul Joyce, managing partner, said: “Wewelcome the new reforms that aim to make thelegal industry more competitive and law firmsmore transparent.

“The Legal Services Act 2007 gives us thefreedom to reward talented individuals whowould not normally have the opportunity tomanage a law firm.

“Ramsdens must be one of the first local lawfirms in the to do this, if not the first. We prideourselves in being one step ahead in adapting tothe changing legal marketplace.

“I am confident that Lynda will help drive thebusiness even further and will comfortably rise tothe challenges.”

Firms join chamber ‘fan club’M E M B E R S H I P h a s i t sadvantages.

That’s the message from theLockwood-based Mid York-shire Chamber of Commerce aslocal firms show their supportby renewing their membership.

The chamber, founded morethan 150 years ago to protectand develop the interests oflocal companies, now repres-ents and supports firms across

Kirklees, Calderdale and Wake-field.

Despite the economic down-turn – which has hit the cham-ber as well as other businesses –local firms have continued toback the organisation.

Deborah Melluish, partner atlaw firm Eaton Smith, said thefirm had been a member of thechamber for many years.

She said: “We have worked

for some time with the teams atthe chamber and Business Linkto give recognition to successfulbusinesses across the regionwith our business awards pro-gramme and are very pleased tobe continuing to work withboth of them on the programmein the future.”

Andy Lowther, director atRBS NatWest, said: “We seemembership of the chamber as

a key part of our commitmentto engage with local businessand offer as much help as pos-sible in support of their businessplans.”

Kelly Smith, director of JuicePersonnel Ltd said: “'Juice hasbeen a member of the chambersince opening back in 2003 andhas always found the servicesthat they offer wholly beneficialto our business needs.”

PROHMSFaye Carter

FAYE Carter has beenappointed to a businessdevelopment role withProfessional OccupationalHealth Medical Services inHuddersfield.

Ms Carter (pictured) has beenworking as a techniciansupporting the organisation’soccupational health contractsteam before moving to her newstrategic role.

Ms Carter, who holds a management inoccupational health qualification, said: “I’vealways wanted to work in occupational healthand look forward to working on placingPROHMS as a key provider of health andwellbeing services in the workplace.”

PROHMS provides occupational health andwellbeing services to companies of all sizes andacross all sectors in the north of Englandthrough its team of health professionalsincluding specialist doctors, nurses andphysiotherapists.

Clinically approved!

FRIENDS and work colleagues Sonja Macura andJulie Curtis have embarked on a healthy new ventureas self-proclaimed “oldertreneurs”.

The two – who both own up to “having passed theirhalf-century birthdays” – have combined their talents toset up the Macura Clinic in Britannia Road, Slaithwaite,to provide a natural approach to health and wellbeing.

Sonja has worked part time over the past 10 yearswhile her daughter Hannah has been growing up. Butshe has always had a long term goal to own her ownclinic.

When she heard that Julie had been maderedundant from her post as business manager for ahealth and dental practice, she approached her aboutstarting a new business together.

Sonja and Julie both qualified last year.Said Sonja: “We recognised a need to provide

support, advice and treatment to the growing numberof individuals who are looking for ways to improve dietand promote a healthier lifestyle in the most naturalway possible.

“We realise that in the current economic climate it isgoing to take a lot of hard work to succeed, but believewe have the right products, talents and enthusiasm tomake it work.”

She added: “Disappointingly, there have been nosupporting grants for us. Either we were consideredtoo old or – more surprisingly – Slaithwaite was notdeemed rural enough to qualify for a rural grant.

Julie said: “Results have shown that more than 70%of business start-ups by the over 50s last for more thanthree years compared to 28% in the youngergeneration. If we are helping to uplift the UK economy,we should be as entitled to support as everyone else.”

■ HEALTH CHECK: Sonja Macura and Julie Curtishave launched the Macura Clinic in Slaithwaite

Fundraisingand fashionA YORKSHIRE-bornentrepreneur and finalist fromTV’s The Apprentice has beenindulging her passion for fashionwith help from aHuddersfield-based onlineboutique.

Claire Young, who featured inthe 2008 series of the showstarring Sir Alan Sugar, took partin a photoshoot for web-basedBusiness Wardrobe and attendeda fashion show organised byLighterLife to raise money forCancer Research.

Since filming on TheApprentice finished, Claire haslost nearly four stones and nowfeels able to make the most offashion – while dressingappropriately for the variousareas of business in which she isinvolved.

Claire has set up her ownonline venues managementcompany, Elegant Venues, andbalances the day-to-day runningwith working on her charitycommitments, young enterpriseventures and broadcastappearances.

Business Wardrobe specialisesin designer women’s wear for theworkplace.

Claire said she felt it wasimportant to support local smalland medium-sized enterprisessuch as Business Wardrobe – asthey would help drive the UK outof recession.

The charity fashion showorganised by LighterLife wasattended by Leeds-based fashionand health-related businesses as

well as networking partners, suchas Etta Cohen, of ForwardLadies.

The event raised hundreds ofpounds for Cancer Research.Claire regularly takes part incharity runs for Cancer Research.

■ SMART LOOK: Claire Young,of TV's The Apprentice, getsfashionable with the help ofHuddersfield-based BusinessWardrobe

Brushing up on the stadiumTHE floodlights atHuddersfield’s GalpharmStadium have been given a lickof paint – thanks to asponsorship deal.Crown Decorating Centres,based on Beck Lane, providedthe paint for the floodlightfingers posts in a partnershipwith Kirklees StadiumDevelopment Ltd.As well as agreeing a five-yearsponsorship deal with thestadium, Crown DecoratingCentres have also set up a 20%discount for all friends of the

stadium, including Town andGiants fans, through thestadium website,www.galpharmstadium.comRichard Beaumont, localbranch manager, said: “It’sgreat to be associated with thestadium, especially as I’m aTown fan and season ticketholder.“This is also an excellentopportunity to offer thediscount via the Stadium, aswell as raise the profile of theHuddersfield store, throughthis partnership.”