KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees29, November, 2011

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NEIL WHEELER

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3I s i t wor th the expense?

Co lumn - Page 4

An EXAMINER publication

Going bythe bookBUSINESSWOMAN JoHaigh is helpingmanagers make senseof finance. The DenbyDale dealmaker haspenned her fourthbook, Finance forNon-FinancialManagers, for theFinancial TimesGuides. The book hasalready receivedseveral plaudits.

LondoncallingCOLNE Valley womanJoanne Dodson wastreated to a trip toLondon – to mark her20 years service withservice providerSodexo. She joined 140long service recipientson the excursion.

JONATHAN JAMESFTSE 100+148.11

5312.76

‘Only private sector can deliver growth in UK’COMPANIES are deeply cautiousabout the economic outlook – butbelieve only the private sector candeliver growth, says a survey.

A poll of 300 business leaders byBarclays Corporate showed that 43%had shelved plans to invest due tomarket turmoil while 66% said theyexpected to see more business failuresin their sector.

However, 54% also viewed theprivate sector as too risk averse.

In the lead-up to the Chancellor’s

Autumn Statement, the survey alsofound that the private sector is notlooking to Government to resolve thecurrent economic malaise.

Just a third of UK corporatesbelieve the Government has the abilityto drive economic recovery and hasthe strategy to do so. Another thirdbelieve the economic situation issimply too much of a global issue forthe Government to resolve.

Some 84% of respondents said theenvironment in which they do business

is becoming either steadily or rapidlymore competitive.

Despite the challenges, exportingremains a bright spot. Among thosefirms exporting, 60% predicted theamount of goods or services they sellaboard would grow in 2012, comparedwith just 3% that predicted exportorders will fall.

Lee Collinson, head of BarclaysCorporate in Yorkshire said: “It isclear that UK corporates believe theeconomic recovery is not going to be

Government-led.“This is not a criticism of Govern-

ment, but a recognition of the limits ofGovernment. Businesses accept theyhave to compete their way to bettertimes.

“The challenge is back on busi-nesses themselves. It is easy to say noto risk taking in the current environ-ment, but it must be done if corporatesare going to compete globally, both forthe success of the individual businessand the economy as a whole.”

Firm plots its nextenergetic movesA COMPANY providing firms withenergy advice is set for a fresh recruit-ment drive.

Brighouse-based Orchard Energyrecently made senior appointments toits offices in Glasgow and Newcastle.

Now managing director GarethHenderson said the company hadembarked on a further expansiondrive.

The firm appointment Ross McCollas regional manager of its Glasgowoffice and Peter Bicchiri as managerof the North East region, based inNewcastle.

Orchard, which was launched in2004, has secured business with morethan 80 organisations in Scotlandsince opening its first office there.

Contracts wins north of the borderinclude Dobbies Garden CentresPLC, Bonar Yarns Ltd and HamiltonPark Racecourse.

Mr Henderson said: “Both Scot-land and the North East are keyregions for us and we recently took on

larger premises in Glasgow and New-castle with a view to growth.

“Recruitment is now underway foradditional energy consultants in Glas-gow and Newcastle and new roles willbe created at our head office in York-shire to support this expansion.”

The firm recently appointed threenew account managers in Brighouseto boost the sales team and assist withclient liaison.

There are also new business devel-opment and telemarketing roles to befilled.

Orchard Energy’s most recent officeopenings have been in Cardiff andBristol – with further expansion intothe Midlands planned for 2012.

Mr Henderson said the next stageof growth would involve developingOrchard’s blue chip client base.

He said: “We are already verystrong in the heritage sector, workingwith tourist attractions such as Jorvikin York and stately homes includingChatsworth, Harewood, Castle

Howard and Ripley Castle.“We also have a large number of

manufacturing clients who are bigenergy users and need to drive downcosts to remain competitive.”

Mr Henderson said another growtharea was the care homes sector, whereclients such as Maria Mallaband CareGroup and Orchard Care Homesmanaged dozens of sites and werelooking for support with administra-tion and invoice validation as well aspurchasing.

“Energy tends to be a business’second biggest overhead and one ofthe first things to look at when tryingto reduce costs,” said Mr Hender-son.

But he said most organisations werelooking for more than just a broker-age service.

“They also want advice on effi-ciency, compliance, renewables andbilling queries to make sure theyachieve maximum savings on energyspend,” he said.

■ EXPANSION: Gareth Henderson,of Brighouse-based Orchard Energy

Cracking the code!

www.chadwicklawrence.co.ukHuddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Leeds

Solicitors for business inYorkshire

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5312.76Up 148.11

RETAILERS face a gloomy run-in toChristmas as a key survey revealed thesector cut jobs at the fastest rate intwo years amid falling sales.

The latest Distributive Trades Sur-vey by the CBI showed sales volumesfell for the sixth month running inNovember. Another fall in salesvolumes next month – although thepace of decline is expected to ease.

Store bosses are also reducing staffnumbers at the fastest rate for twoyears.

Some 26% of retailers polled sawthe volume of sales rise in the year toNovember against 44% reporting adecline – a weaker showing than

expected and represents the fastestdecline in sales since March, 2009.

Sales volumes were consideredbelow average for the time of year –with a balance of minus 39%, theweakest figure since March, 2009. Thefigure was slightly weaker than Octo-ber’s balance of minus 34% and wasdriven by pressure on groceries, spe-cialist food and drink stores, depart-ment stores and clothing.

The volume of orders placed withsuppliers also fell in November.

Employment across the sector fellat the fastest rate since November,2009, at a balance of minus 27% in theyear to November.

Retail sales slide further

Carclo 3061/4 +23/4Marshalls 911/2 -5/8National Grid 639 +71/2Weir Gp 1943 +148

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.49 dollarsBangladesh................. 111.89 takaBrazil.............................. 2.61 realsCanada....................... 1.53 dollarsChina ............................. 8.82 yuanCzech Republic ...... 27.66 korunasDenmark....................... 8.23 kroneEuro................................ 1.11 euroHong Kong................ 11.44 dollarsHungary ................... 323.92 forintsIndia.......................... 70.80 rupeesJapan........................... 114.33 yenMexico ....................... 19.40 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.91 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.68 kronePakistan.................. 128.05 rupeesPhilippines ................. 57.94 pesosSouth Africa................. 12.19 randSouth Korea.............. 1555.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 166.13 rupeesSweden....................... 10.28 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.37 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.11 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.75 new liraUSA ............................ 1.48 dollars

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £29.61 +0.65Gannett 693.74 +18.02Hess Corp £36.59 +1.63Microsoft 1593.41 +29.60Motors Liquidation 48.27Wal-Mart Stores £36.84 +0.23

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 319 -1BAE Systems 2607/8 +51/8Rolls-Royce 6981/2 +201/2

AIMBrady Plc 78Dawson Intl 11/4Man Brnze 36

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 1771/8 +71/2

BANKSBarclays 1677/8 +121/4HSBC 4883/4 +213/8Lloyds Banking Gp 235/8 +1/2Ryl Scotland 193/4 +1Stan Chart 1340 +661/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 13261/2 +31SABMiller £217/8 +3/4

CHEMICALSCroda 1750 +38Elementis 98 1391/8 +65/8Johnsn Mat 1809 +70

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2297/8 +87/8Costain 1883/4 -3/8

ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 5591/2 +8Intl Power 3227/8 +71/2SSE 1287 +33

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1401/4 +81/2

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 332 +6

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1833/8 +61/4Cable & WirelessComm

361/4 +11/8

Cable & WirelessWwide

153/4 +7/8

Colt Group 861/4 +21/8KCOM 723/4 +11/4Talktalk Telecom 1305/8 +15/8

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 3151/4 +41/8Sainsbury 2935/8 +75/8Tesco 3961/4 +12

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1100 +15Tate Lyle 680 +161/2Unilever £205/8 +1/2

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 2923/4 +61/8National Grid 639 +71/2Pennon Grp 6981/2 +121/2Severn 1529 +32United Utils 610 +10

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 1843/8 +41/4ICAP 3381/2 +103/4London StockExch 835 +28Man Group 1321/4 +71/8

Provident Financial 9821/2 +6Schroders 1284 +79Schroders NV 1092 +59

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 4791/4 +263/8REXAM 3383/8 +75/8Smiths Grp 911 +271/2

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 183/4 +1/8Carphone Whse 3113/4 +83/4Dixons Retail 107/8 +5/8Home Retail 791/2 +33/8Inchcape 3071/4 +63/4Kingfisher 253 +6M & S 3173/4 +101/4Mothercare 1575/8 +87/8Next £265/8 +1/2WH Smith 5051/2 +61/4

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 565 +10

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 66 +33/8Barrat Dev 965/8 +25/8Persimmon 4771/4 +133/4Reckitt Benckiser £321/8 +5/8Taylor Wimpey 37 +7/8

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 9331/2 +6I M I 748 +31

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 2911/2 +341/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 1683/8 +33/4

LIFE INSURANCE

Aviva 2981/2 +181/8Lgl & Gen 1011/4 +41/8Old Mutual 1091/2 +43/4Prudential 598 +321/2Resolution 2395/8 +67/8Standard Life 1943/8 +91/4

MEDIABSkyB 7451/2 +191/2D Mail Tst 405 +167/8ITV 613/4 +17/8Johnston Press 45/8Pearson 1104 +23Reed Elsevier 511 +13STV Group 881/2 -3/4Trinity Mirror 463/4 +11/4Utd Business 4811/4 +233/8UTV 1081/4 -3/4WPP 643 +261/2Yell Group 51/4 +7/8

MININGAnglo American £231/8 +1Antofagasta 1094 +50BHP Billiton 18361/2 +77Eurasian NaturalRes

633 +321/2

Fresnillo 1621 +38Kazakhmys 8571/2 +521/2Lonmin 1011 +40Rio Tinto £315/8 +13/8VEDANTARESOURCES

9941/2 +661/2

Xstrata 9481/4 +395/8MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 4123/4 +93/8Vodafone Group 1681/2 +21/4

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 917 +36

RSA Insurance Gp 1061/8 +37/8OIL & GAS PRODUCERS

BG 12981/2 +531/2BP 4373/4 +123/8Cairn Energy 2721/2 +81/4Royal Dutch Shell A £213/8 +3/8Royal Dutch Shell B £22 +1/4Total £313/4 +11/8Tullow Oil 1308 +56

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 862 +18Petrofac 1351 +52Wood Gp(J) 613 +22

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1197 +35PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £281/4 +5/8GlaxoSmithK XD 16

Shire £201/4 +3/8

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4713/4 +175/8Captl Shop Cent 3041/4 +153/8DTZ Hldgs 5 +13/8Hamrsn 3735/8 +193/4Land Secs 661 +251/2SEGRO 2163/8 +91/2

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 1911/2 +91/4Logica 75 +41/2Misys 2423/4 +17/8Sage Group 275 +81/2

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 430 +8Bunzl 806 +91/2Capita 636 +181/2De La Rue 9041/2 -311/2Electrocomp 2031/8 +51/4Experian 8001/2 +23G4S 2391/4 +71/4Hays 707/8 +4Homeserve 2401/2 +53/4Menzies J 5053/4 -3Rentokil 621/2 +11/4Smiths News 893/4Wolseley 1802 +59

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 574 +21Psion 521/2 -13/4Spirent Comms 1221/4 +23/4

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £285/8 +3/8Imperial Tobacco £225/8 +1/8

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 1363/8 +17/8Carnival £205/8 +5/8Compass Grp 560 +9easyJet 367 +55/8Enterprise Inns 333/4 +13/4FirstGroup 3115/8 +13/4Go-Ahead Gp 1221 +2Greene King 4591/2 +18Intercontl Htls 1044 +39Intl Cons AirlinesGp

1445/8 +33/4

Ladbrokes 127 +3/8Mitchells & Butlers 2237/8 +67/8Natl Express 2041/2 +11/4Rank Org 1421/4 +21/4Stagecoach Group 2451/4 +43/4TUI Travel 160 +53/8Whitbread 1579 +51

INDEXFTSE 100 5312.76 +148.11

INDEXFTSE 250 9908.46 +268.17

ProfitsdisappointJACQUES Vert, owner ofthe Windsmoor fashionbrand, said full-yearprofits would be belowexpectations after salesslumped in the sevenweeks since September30. Like-for-like sales forthe first 29 weeks of thecurrent financial yearwere 0.3% lower than theprevious year.

BUSINESSWEAR retailer TM Lewinreported a slump in UK trading – butrevealed ambitious plans to doublesales by focusing on overseasexpansion.

The firm, which recently openedits 100th store in the UK, sellingshirts, ties and accessories such ascufflinks, said UK sales increasedby 7% in the six months to August27, compared to 21% in the previousyear.

But while UK trading was hit by thesqueeze on the high street, itannounced plans to grow its inter-national business – which last yearaccounted for just 13% of its sales –to the same size as its current UK

business by 2016 as it taps intodemand for UK tailoring.

Its expansion plans would seeoverseas sales increase from £13mto £88m in just five years.

The firm, formed in 1898, saidoverseas sales rose by 26% in thefirst half of its financial year against7% in the UK due to strong demandat its seven stores in Malaysia andSingapore and online orders fromthe US and Australia. It plans to opena new site in Sydney to drive expan-sion into Asia and Australia.

Chief financial officer Mike Trot-man said: “The quality of UK fashionis still very highly regarded over-seas.’’

AILING Thomas Cook will this weeklaunch a publicity drive – in a bid toreassure customers that their holidaysare “in safe hands”.

The holidays firm, which saw itsshare price slump by 75% in one daylast week amid fears of an imminentcollapse, is publishing a letter frominterim chief executive Sam Weihagenin national newspapers saying it is safeto book breaks with the group.

Thomas Cook’s shares closed 3.7p or25% higher at 21.7p yesterday after itannounced an extra £100m lifelinefrom its banks on Friday night.

But although Thomas Cook claims itis now on a sound financial footing,fears persist that the negative headlinesmay have scared holidaymakers away.Bookings fell by 30% last week amiduncertainty over the group’s future.

Rival TUI Travel has run full-page

adverts for its Thomson brand thatclaimed: “Another holiday companymay be experiencing turbulence, but weare in really great shape.”

Mr Weihagen’s letter begins: “What aweek it has been for Thomas Cook,”adding that it is now “an even strongerand more confident company” andmembers of the public “can be sure thatyour holiday really is in safe hands”.

His words play on the 170-year-oldcompany’s history and claim it is the“most recognised and established namein the industry”.

The letter adds: “I have no doubt thatwe will still be in another 170 years andbeyond.”

The deal with its bankers – just onemonth after it increased its loans by asimilar amount – came after it said itsFrench and Belgium markets sawbookings fall by up to 20% in recent

weeks, while a move into the Russianmarket had “got off to an extremelyslow start”.

The group has suffered from theimpact of the Arab spring, which has

hit bookings to Tunisia and Egypt,destinations popular with France andRussia respectively, as well as UK holi-daymakers.

It is understood the firm could axeup to 1,000 jobs by closing 200 of its1,100 UK travel shops as it slashes costsand sells hundreds of millions ofpounds of assets to help reduce its debtmountain.

James Hollins, an analyst at Evolu-tion Securities, said the new lendingfacility had secured its short-term sur-vival.

He added: “The increased facilitypushes current gross debt to £1.5bn,but fortunately all the bad press hascome at a low point in the bookingcycle and the group has the funds andtime to restore partner and consumerconfidence in its brand and survival.”

Travel group saysholidays are ‘safe’

■ SIGN OF THE TIMES: ThomasCook is launching a publicity drive toreassure worried holidaymakers

Firm targets overseas growth

HOTEL companyTravelodge has joinedsupermarket chainWaitrose to develop threenew hotel-and-retailsites.

Travelodge will operatean 81-room hotel atAylesbury inBuckinghamshire, whereWaitrose will open a37,000sq ft supermarket.The project is due to becompleted by the end of2012.

In Sidcup, south eastLondon, there will be an84-room hotel and a10,000sq ft conveniencestore, scheduled to openin August, 2012.

And in November nextyear, there will be a154-room hotel and a6,000sq ft conveniencestore opening inVauxhall, south London.

Travelodge is in talksover a further 25co-partnershipdevelopment deals with anumber of largesupermarket chainsacross the UK.

The programmerepresents a £130minvestment and willcreate about 520Travelodge jobs.

Check-in,checkout

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

Neil Wheeler

Code BlueGroup

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Managing directorAge: 39Family: Married to Sharonwith children Ella, 13, andJoseph, 10Holidays: Orlando and Clear-water, Florida – the theme parkfor me and the kids and thebeach for Sharon!Car: Audi A7First job: Parading the dogsaround Oldham greyhoundtrack. My family used to racegreyhounds when I was youngBest thing about job: Help-ing the people I work withkeeps me coming into workevery day! I enjoy helping themmeet their challenges and solvetheir problemsWorst thing about job:Regulation and red tapeBusiness tip: Customer ser-vice is priority number one –but you should also treat yourstaff the way you expect to betreated

Work: Business servicesSite: HuddersfieldPhone: 01484 441400Email: sales@codebluegroup.co.ukWeb:www.codebluegroup.co.uk

It’s ateamgamefor Neil

HE’S a Lancashire ladwho’s more than happy tobe working inHuddersfield.

And despite missing outon his first choice careeras a PE teacher, rugbyleague enthusiast NeilWheeler is helping makesure things stays fit andhealthy for businessservices specialist CodeBlue Group, where he ismanaging director.

“Growing up in Oldham,I wanted to be a PEteacher,” he says. “I wasoffered a place on acourse at LiverpoolUniversity. But I enjoyedmy rugby and mysummers too much andfailed my A-levels. I wasplaying rugby at weekendsand socialising with myrugby mates.

“But as one of ninechildren I was expected togo out and get myself ajob and that’s how Istumbled into retailing.”

He started by workingon a fruit and veg stall atOldham open market,recalling: “I was very quietand shy – until one day myboss threw the moneywallet at me and told meto start selling. That meantshouting out the prices toattract customers.

“It was a goodgrounding for a career insales because it helpedyou learn how to deal withcustomers face-to-faceand find out whatcustomers wanted.

“It taught you that thecustomer is king – and somany businesses forgetthat. If the customers arenot happy, the bills don’tget paid.”

Neil later joined nationalretail chain All Sports and

at the age of 19 becamemanager of its Oldhambranch. During a 10-yearcareer with the company,he went on to manage itsflagship store inManchester anddeveloped several newstores in Scotland.

He insists: “I’m not thebest salesman, but I enjoyworking with people andbringing out the best inthem. I enjoyed my timethere, but I eventuallymade a decision to leave.I was working six or sevendays a week as storemanager at a time whenmy daughter was little.When the chance of salesjob came up I decided totake it.”

Neil recalls having topersuade his wife,Sharon, that this was awise move! He says: “Wehad just got our firstmortgage and I’d decidedto pack in my nice, safejob for a commission-onlysales job – but I could see

a better future.”So in 1999 Neil began

selling ads for a trademagazine publisher inLeeds – workingalongside old friend andHuddersfield Universitygraduate Tony Kenny.They first met at Oldhammarket and Neil later gaveTony a job workingweekends at the AllSports store.

When the publishingfirm ceased trading threeyears later, Neil and Tonydecided to set up theirown business – initiallypublishing FMCGmagazine, for which Neilhad been sales managerat the Leeds company.

“We chose to set up thebusiness in Huddersfield,”says Neil. “I live in Oldhamand Tony lives in Leeds,so Huddersfield seemed agood compromise. Nowwe would never considermoving out of townbecause most of our staffare local people.”

Neil and Tony launchedCode Blue in the MediaCentre with FMCGmagazine. After 18months, they launchedConstruction IndustryNews. As the businessgrew, they took onadditional sales andstudio staff.

Code Blue beganoffering the services of itsdesign studio to otherbusinesses as a way tokeep staff busy during thelulls between deadlines.That led to the launch ofCode Blue Design – and amove in 2005 to largerpremises in Hammond’sYard, off King Street.

Since then – anddespite the credit crunch –Code Blue Group has

widened its businessservices to include mobilecommunications,recruitment, IT supportand systems managementand marketing.

Code Blue’s success iseasy to decipher.

Says Neil: “It was acase of seeingopportunities andexploiting them. We didn’twant to miss out.

“It has been very tough,but we are getting throughthese difficult times bysensible management –keeping things nice andtight and overheads low –and by offering goodcustomer service andcompetitive rates.”

Part of the success liesin Neil’s managementstyle. Not only do staffhave a pleasant workingenvironment, there’s anXBox to play with atlunchtimes and a stafftuck shop.

“It’s a cliché, but we dohave a ‘work hard, playhard’ mentality,” says Neil.“It is important to keepstaff morale high. I don’tlike hierarchies. I don’t sitin a private office with thedoor closed.”

Neil thinks the need forgood management skillsis often overlooked, butdismisses the suggestionthat good managers areborn, not made. “It’s theold argument about natureand nurture,” he says.“Can you developsomeone to be a goodmanager? You can.

“I would not have putmyself down in the earlydays as a particularlystrong leader. I was agood team player,probably because of mysporting background. But I

got help and advice andthat is something I canpass on to the other guyshere.

“It is easy to becautious, but I believe ingiving staff the autonomyto make decisions. All oursales staff areencouraged to think of thecustomers as theircustomers and thebusiness as theirbusiness.”

Team spirit and teamwork are things Neil haslearned from the playingfield.

He played rugby leagueto a decent standard,representing Lancashireand turning out alongsidesome lads who went on tocareers in the professionalgame.

Neil still takes part inmatches for the over 35sat his home club ofWaterhead. “I’m playingwith some of the lads Iwas playing rugby withwhen I was 10 years old,”he said. “We just take alittle longer to recoverfrom the knocks andbruises! It keeps us going.

“I’ve also started playinggolf. It has to be the mostfrustrating game in theworld, but I enjoy it.”

Neil’s rugby allegianceis with Leeds Rhinos –mainly because goodfriend Barry McDermottplayed for the club andanother star player, KevinSinfield, is a Waterheadproduct.

“My lad Joseph playsrugby as well,” says Neil.“He has big dreams ofplaying for Leeds Rhinosand we watch them whenwe can.”■ TEAM LEADER: Neil

Wheeler, Code Blue Groupmanaging director

fantasticmedia.co.uk

08450 176 090

People. Results. Value

Are you telling your potentialcustomers what you offer

365 days a year?

not!Speak to us and we’ll make your

business the star of 2012

ValueResults.People.

Betyou’re

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

FAMILYBUSINESSJonathan James

Jonathan James is head of private client and familydepartment at Austin Kemp Solicitors Christmas test

for retailersRETAILERS are embarking on acrucial trading period, aninsolvency expert says.Chris Wood, partner at CloughCorporate Solutions in Cleckheatonand a Yorkshire committee memberof insolvency industry body R3,said the next few weeks were acrucial period for retailers to buildup their reserves before the NewYear when consumers will curtailtheir spending once again.He said: “Shoppers are likely tohave started on their Christmas listearly this year to make allowancesfor the higher costs of living – inparticular the hike in energy priceswhich will squeeze householdseven further in the coming months“It is a good idea for consumers toeven out their Christmas spendingover several pay packets to avoidany unexpected outgoings tippingthem into insolvency or resorting toshort-term lending solutions.”R3 figures showed that more thanfour out of 10 people struggle topay day, while one in 10 take out“pay day loans” to make ends meetat the end of each month.Mr Wood said individuals turning toshort-term loans and credit cards tofund Christmas should be wary ofthe high interest rates that oftenaccompany these products asdebts could quickly snowball out ofcontrol.

Jo puts focuson financesBUSINESSWOMANJo Haigh (pictured)is helpingmanagers makesense of finance.The Denby Daledealmaker haspenned her fourthbook, Finance forNon-FinancialManagers, for the Financial TimesGuides. The book, which hasalready received several plaudits,follows Jo’s previous books, TheBusiness Rules, An Entrepreneur’Guide and Tales from the GlassCeiling – A Survival Guide forWomen in Business.The Business Rules, published 2005and 2006, was such a success thaforeign rights deal has beenconfirmed with a publisher in China.Tales from the Glass Ceiling,published in 2008, sold out of itsfirst reprint after five days and wasthe best-selling business book ofthe year – shifting more than500,000 copies.Finance for Non-Financial Manageris available at www.amazon.co.ukand can be viewed on Jo’s websitewww.jo-haigh.comJo is a partner in fds CorporateFinance Services, with bases inLondon, Birmingham and Yorkshirand a partner in the fds Group, aspecialist training and developmentbusiness. She has bought and soldmore than 300 companies in the last20 years, specialising inowner-managed companies.

Keep control ofthose legal costsGOING to law can be a very

expensive hobby.Back in 2006, a cargo of toxic

waste was dumped in the IvoryCoast.

A large number of Ivorians com-plained that they had suffered illeffects from the chemicals and aprominent English firm of per-sonal injury specialists took uptheir cases.

In 2009, the company respons-ible for the dumping agreed to paydamages totalling £30m to thedefendants (who were nearly30,000 in number).

As part of the deal, the companyalso agreed to pay their legal costs.The bill presented totalled almost£105m, three-and-a-half times asmuch as the total damages.

The company’s lawyers, by con-trast, had billed only (!) £14m(which, let’s face it, was more thanbad enough). You can certainly seewhy the company is objecting nois-ily to the claimants’ bill.

Unlike personal injury cases, infamily law, there’s no externalagency to pay the lawyers – it allcomes out of the family pot.

The more spent on lawyers, theless will be there for the separatingcouple and their children.

Despite this, sadly, family lawhas also been plagued with caseswhere costs destroy any chance ofa sensible outcome.

Back in 2008, Mr Justice Munbyhad to deal with Mr and Mrs Owhose joint legal costs amountedto over 70% of the money andproperty which they had!

The judge listed the cases heknew of personally in whichsomething similar had happenedand ended his judgement with aquotation from the Charles Dick-ens novel “Bleak House” in whichthe whole of an estate was con-sumed by legal costs.

So how can separating couplesavoid this sort of disaster?

Choose the right level of lawyerto handle your case. If you don’thave offshore accounts, trust fundsor company interes ts, youshouldn’t be shelling out for themost expensive specialists. Theywon’t give you value for money.

Take the advice you’re given byyour lawyers – nothing can bemore foolish than to pay goodmoney to be advised and then

reject it because it’s not what youwanted to hear.

Don’t get carried away chasingafter every little financial detail –keep a clear eye on the big picture.Always ask the question, “howmuch difference is this going tomake?”

Remember what lawyers are notgood at, namely helping you withthe emotional fall out of a separa-tion. Use professional counsellorsor close friends for that – don’t useexpensive lawyer’s time for it.

If necessary, be prepared to begenerous to your former partner.Giving a little more than you abso-lutely have to may well save you thesame or more in legal costs. Whymake yourself even worse off andthe lawyers better off instead?

Don’t get too excited about yourex’s new relationship – courtsthink it a great deal less importantthan you do.

Recruitment firmenjoys early winA RECRUITMENT agency inHuddersfield has landed a top award –just 18 months after setting up inbusiness.Expion Search & Selection won the titleof Best Recruiter Overall and two othercategories at the 2011 annualRecruitRank Awards, hosted byJobsite.co.uk in London.The awards recognise best practice andcustomer service among recruitmentagencies – and are the only accolades inthe industry where finalists and winnersare chosen purely on the basis ofcandidate feedback.Keith Potts, Jobsite chief executive,said: “With several thousandrecruitment consultancies eligible forinclusion in the RecruitRank Awardsevery year, Expion stand out as anexample of providing exceptionalcustomer service.”Expion directors Richard Clegg andJames Didgiunaitis said they weredelighted with the award. Said Mr Clegg:“From the outset at Expion, our goalwas to provide an outstanding candidateexperience in line with our businessvalues and let our candidates beambassadors for our service level in themarketplace.”Expion offers search and selectionservices to a wide range of sectors,particularly automotive and engineeredproducts, FMCG and healthcare.The company was established 18months ago by recruitmentprofessionals, Richard Clegg and JamesDidgiunaitis.

Agency workersSOLICITOR Kate Booth will focus on theimplications of the new AgencyWorkers Regulations at a free seminarhosted by the Mid Yorkshire Chamber ofCommerce.Ms Booth, of Huddersfield law firmEaton Smith, will explain howcompanies are affected by the rules –which came into affect in October – at a60 Useful Minutes event from 8.30am to10am on Thursday at the chamber’sLockwood Park offices.To book your place, phone Tracy Smithon 01924 311607 or emailtracy.smith@mycci.co.uk

Hotel’s five-star effortA HOTEL group with a site inHuddersfield is celebratingsuccess.

Cedar Court Grand Hotel &Spa has become York’s firstfive-star hotel and the only AAfive-star rated hotel in Yorkshire.

The hotel is part of CedarCourt Hotels, Yorkshire’s largestindependent hotel group, whichincludes the four-star CedarCourt at Ainley Top and inWakefield, Leeds/Bradford andHarrogate.

The York hotel’s grill room hasalso been awarded twoprestigious AA Rosettes for theoutstanding quality of its culinaryoffering.

There are just 90 other AAfive-star hotels in the UK and,excluding The Grand, only 23outside London.

A spokesman for the AA said:“The Grand has achieved one ofthe highest accolades awardedby the AA. Five black stars are asymbol of excellence achievedthrough dedication, high levels ofinvestment and a passion to bethe best. We are delighted thatYork has its first 5 star hotel.”

The £25m Cedar Court Grand

Hotel & Spa opened in May,2010, following the extensiverefurbishment of the former NorthEastern Railway headquarters –one of York’s most iconicEdwardian buildings.

General manager, MariaFlorou, said: “When The Grandopened its doors last year, it was

with the stated ambition ofbecoming York’s first AA five-starhotel and we are over the moonthat we have now achieved that.

“The team here deserveenormous credit for what theyhave done – they have workedincredibly hard and have put theirheart and soul into this project.”

■ STAR SHOWING: General manager Maria Florou (right) and staffat the five-star Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa in York, part of thegroup which also includes the Cedar Court Hotel at Ainley Top

• Corporate Law

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Tel: 01484 483 033Fax: 01484 741 442

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

PEOPLE. RESULTS. VALUE. THEKEYTOMARKETINGSUCCESSGary Pattison

Gary Pattison is senior account manager at Fantastic Media

tone committee member

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ted on their Christmas listances

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Graduates take the honoursA YOUNG entrepreneur from Mirfield hasscooped a prize at this year’s YorkshireGraduate Entrepreneurship Awards.

Chris Ramsden, of HuddersfieldUniversity, who runs The TV King, beat offcompetition from graduate and studententrepreneurs from universities acrossYorkshire in the competition, which involvedpitching their business ideas to anindependent panel of regional businessexperts.

Chris was highly commended in thecontest and picked up a certificate and a£150 cash prize.

The awards, held to mark GlobalEntrepreneurship Week, were organisedand supported by the award-winningGraduate Entrepreneurship Project, apartnership of Yorkshire’s higher educationinstitutions and led by HuddersfieldUniversity.

The project supports entrepreneurs fromYorkshire’s graduate and student populationinto business.

Ten finalists from universities inHuddersfield, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield, Yorkand Bradford submitted business plans andcash flow projections and presented a“Dragon’s Den” style pitch, before facing agruelling question and answer session.

The winner of the £1,500 top prize wasLucy Nuttall, of Sheffield HallamUniversity’s Frontline Forensics. The £350second prize went to Alex Beardsley, ofBradford University’s Talk Direct Marketing.

Chris, whose business allows people to

watch TV from across the globe via legallinks, said: “To be awarded ‘highlycommended’ in the Yorkshire GraduateEntrepreneurship awards is a wonderfulachievement.”

Martin Edmondson, head judge and chief

executive of Graduates Yorkshire, said:“The standard of business ideas wasextremely high this year.

“Chris impressed the judging panel withstrong knowledge of his market and thedrive to really grow his business.”

■ HIGH FLIERS: Chris Ramsden (left), who was highly commended in the 2011 GEAwards, with winner Lucy Nuttall (centre) and runner-up Alex Beardsley

Let’s hear yourbig export ideas!INNOVATIVE small firms across Kirkleeshave been urged to show they’ve gotwhat it takes to “export for growth”.A new competition run by UK Trade &Investment (UKTI) aims to encouragemore small businesses to take theirproducts and services to overseasmarkets by offering a comprehensivepackage of support to the firm with thebest export idea.The winner will receive a package ofsupport from UKTI and partners HSBCBank and PwC – including expertbusiness knowledge and insight, accessto a range of international resources andgrants towards overseas travel.SMEs across Yorkshire and the Humberhave until Friday, January 13, to submittheir entries. Shortlisted firms will thenbe invited to present their big export ideato a live audience of business leadersand a judging panel who will then selectthe winning idea.Mark Robson, UKTI international tradedirector for Yorkshire, said: “Businessesin this region have a long and proudhistory of international trading, whichhas resulted in record export figures inrecent months – but the reality is thatonly a small number of SMEs exporttheir products.“Companies that export improve theirfinancial performance, are moreproductive and are more likely to stay inbusiness.”To find out more about the Export forGrowth Prize, visitwww.ukti.gov.uk/exportingforgrowthprizeor contact the UKTI Y&H team on 03003651000.UKTI has also launched a search for theregion’s Most Innovative MobileCompany – businesses that candemonstrate a new product or servicethat has the potential to change the waypeople use mobiles across the world.That competition closes on Wednesday,December 14. For further details, visitwww.smartukproject.co.uk

or the Financial Times

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, published 2005h a success that a

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orkshire,

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e than 300 companies in the last

It’s traditionalversus trendy!

GOOGLE has unquestionablychanged the face of marketing and

is invaluable in driving website traffic.It has become one of the most powerful

and influential tools in any marketeer’s kitand has the influence to thrust your brand infront of thousands, if not millions of poten-tial customers.

Adwords is a simple to use system whichhas opened up online to anyone who iswilling to spend some time selectingkeywords and setting budgets in return for asponsored link on page one of Google andultimately, increased website traffic.

However, there is currently a trend forcompanies switching their Adword spendover to the comparatively old fashionedmedium of TV.

This is for a number of reasons.The cost of traditional media is falling. It

is simply more affordable than it once was

and with hundreds of channels competingfor advertising spend, businesses can bequite savvy in selecting a niche audience andnegotiating a good deal.

Modern technology has also meant thatthe production costs of TV advertising havedropped significantly.

Many businesses have recognised thatwhilst Google Adwords increases webtraffic, it simply cannot build a brand in thesame way that TV can.

On the other side of the coin, Adwords is,in many instances, the victim of its ownsuccess as the competition for certainGoogle search terms is driving costs up.

So what should companies looking forbrand awareness and growth throughadvertising do?

Look at the bigger picture. It’s aboutblending different media to get the most outof them.

Also, understand the different media andhow they work – Google is immediate whilstTV is a slow burn, but its effects can lastlonger.

Think about how the two could comple-ment one another – with a growing numberof people who watch television whilst surf-ing the net there is an increased likelihoodthat a name heard on an advert will belinked with an internet search.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.We would always advise a multi-pronged

approach to marketing, mixing the tradi-tional with the modern to achieve the bestpossible results.

property Page 6KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Food retailer putsnew look on menuA FOOD retailer has appointed acreative agency to rebrand its 11stores, including one in Hudders-field.

B a g e l N a s h h a s r e c r u i t e dLeeds-based Two Birds One Stone tohandle the rebrand of the shops atKingsgate in Huddersfield and inLeeds, Manchester and York.

The “youth-focused agency” hasalso been appointed to handle thecompany’s PR account ahead of its25th anniversary next year.

The appointment comes justmonths after the YFM-backed man-agement buy-in by business partnersAndy Micklethwaite and Sara Hil-dreth.

The new owners have plans toexpand the chain of coffee and bagelbars in the North, North West andWest Midlands.

Two Birds One Stone combines thePR expertise of the Bell PottingerAcademy, the youth department ofwell-known agency Bell Pottinger, andthe design and marketing expertise ofMagpie Magpie Comms.

Both have worked with brands suchas Oxford Stationery, Leeds CornExchange and a number of UK uni-

versities and colleges.Ms Hildreth, retail operations dir-

ector at Bagel Nash, said: “We arelooking to breathe new life into thebrand and to turn Bagel Nash into thenumber one retail bagel business in theUK.”

Two Birds One Stone recently wonfunding from Leeds MetropolitanUniversity and is now based in theenterprise department on the uni-

versity campus.The team core team of eight is made

up of graduates and students who aremanaged by senior professionals fromBell Pottinger and Magpie.

Ged Savva, director at MagpieComms and co-founder of Two BirdsOne Stone, said: “Bagel Nash is a verystrong brand in the north of Englandand we are delighted to have beenappointed to handle the rebrand.”

It’s time to take up trainingFUNDING has been secured totrain up to 350 femaleconstruction workers – andwomen in Huddersfield havebeen urged to apply.The National ConstructionCollege, the training divisionof CITB-ConstructionSkills,has developed Women andWork training courses whichwill run until the end of March,2012.Women in Huddersfield who

wish to take the courses canapply now and find outwhether they are eligible forfunding. A spokesman forCITB-ConstructionSkills forYorkshire, said: “Funding tosupport women to undertakethese courses is available now– so I encourage anyone whomight be interested to get intouch soon to avoiddisappointment.”Phone 0300 4565118.

■ TASTY ASSIGNMENT: Adam Burns, Ged Savva, Becky Edlin and BenRidley from Two Birds One with Bagel Nash staff members Emily Zadok andEmma Thompson (centre)

Commercial

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Chris Glen

FSBTHE Federation of SmallBusinesses has electedChris Glen as chairman ofits West Yorkshire region.

Mr Glen (pictured), whois owner and managingdirector ofWakefield-based AATAssociates Ltd, has alsobeen appointed as theWest Yorkshire representative on the FSBNational Council, making him a director of theUK’s leading business organisation.

He succeeds Mike Salamon, who has beenchairman of the FSB in West Yorkshire since2008.

Mr Glen has more than 23 years experienceworking as an independent financial adviserand is also a Director of Greenway FinanceLtd. As chairman of the FSB in WestYorkshire, he will be the principal spokesmanfor the federation and will lead its lobbyingactivities on behalf of local small businesses.

He was the FSB’s national transportchairman between 2007 and 2010 andchairman of its Yorkshire and HumberTransport Board.

One of his first tasks in his new role will beto front the FSB’s “Real Life EntrepreneursCampaign” which celebrates theachievements of men and women of all ageswho have realised their ambitions and startedtheir own business. The campaign aims topromote self-employment and seeks toremove the barriers to starting and running asmall business.

Wise guys at the ready

A CLECKHEATON accountancy firmhas launched a new division – tohelp plug the gap left by changes tothe government’s Business Linkservice.

Clough & Company has set upBusinessWiser, led by DannyPickering. Its four-strong team ofadvisers have all previously workedfor Business Link and will offeradvice to owners and managers ofsmall and medium-sized businesses.

Government funding for theface-to-face advice provided byBusiness Link and the regionaldevelopment agencies has nowbeen withdrawn.

Clough and Company said manySMEs were now concerned aboutthe quality and consistency of adviceavailable – particularly at a time

when they faced challengingeconomic times.

Steven Gash, practice chairmanat Clough & Company, said:“Sometimes an outsider’sperspective can help a businessimmensely.

“Danny set up a very successfulmanufacturing business makingcopper wire in Yorkshire. It was itsold to a French telecommunicationsgiant in 1989 and the originalbusiness is still operating in theregion, employing around 50 peoplewith a turnover of over £60m.

“All our other advisors have alsoenjoyed some fantastic businesssuccesses and are in a greatposition to share their knowledgeand experience.”

■ SERVICE CREW: Pictured from left are Colin Dawson, John Warburton,Danny Pickering, Jon Hodgson, Steven Gash, Nigel Bullas and StephenThornton, of Clough and Company's BusinessWiser service

Clubbing together!BUSINESS people in Huddersfield are invited toget together.

The next meeting of the First Friday Club willbe held between 12.30 and 1.30pm on Friday atThe Cotton Factory in King Street.

The informal networking group enables towncentre business leaders to meet withoutformalities or the pressure to provide leads.

For details, emailkrishna.patel@revellward.co.uk

Joanne enjoyscapital day outA COLNE Valley womanhas returned from a memor-able trip to London – tomark her 20 years servicew i t h s e r v i c e p rov i d e rSodexo.

Joanne Dodson, of Gol-car, joined more than 140colleagues from across theUK and Ireland – all recipi-ents of the long service award– for an afternoon tea cruiseaboard Bateaux London’sSymphony, the city’s largestrestaurant cruise vessel.

During the cruise, whichtook in the famous sites ofLondon, each recipient wascongratulated by Sodexochief executive Aidan Con-nolly.

Following the cruise, theytook a trip on the LondonEye before having a celebrat-ory dinner at Madame Tus-sauds, where a live bandplayed and they were presen-

ted with their chosen gifts inrecognition of their service.

Mr Connolly said: “Peopleare at the heart of Sodexo.Our business relies on tens ofthousands of talented indi-viduals who provide our cus-tomers and clients withexceptional service.

“This annual event is agreat opportunity to showour appreciation for peoplelike Joanne and to show justhow much we value andappreciate all the hard work,dedication, and loyalty shehas shown over the years.”

Sodexo employs 43,000employees in the UK andIreland – providing cateringand facilities managementservices to clients at morethan 2,300 locations in busi-ness and industry, education,healthcare, leisure anddefence sectors.

■ CONGRATULATIONS: Joanne Dodson, of Golcar, with Sodexochief executive Aidan Connolly

Staff join Norman’s80th birthday bashA COMPANY chairman celebrated his 80thbirthday by taking his staff on an all-expensespaid weekend to Bruges.

Norman Hirst, chairman and founder of HBBearings, treated his family, friends and theentire workforce and partners to a weekendbreak.

More than 90 people travelled to Hull in twocoaches and by ferry to Zeebrugge beforechecking into two four-star hotels in the heart ofthe historic city.

On Saturday evening Norman played host to adinner party given in his honour when guestswere entertained by English group TheSuburbians, who were shipped in from the UKespecially for that evening.

The party returned to the UK on Sunday byovernight ferry.

HB Bearings, based in Honley, was founded byNorman in 1972. Next year sees it's 40thanniversary.

The company makes special bearings forindustry and the motor sport sector.

Norman, who still puts in a full-day’s work atthe company, said he had been to Paris twice –to mark his 70th and 75th birthday – and thoughtthey would have a change of venue this time!

Novel approach tolaunching businessA NEW business in Huddersfield has made animpression with two book-related events this month.

Local author and international bestseller JoanneHarris, pictured (above right) with Michelle Hodgson,of Key Words, entertained an audience of more than40 diners at The Keys restaurant in Kirkgate withstories about meeting Ewan McGregor, the successof her novel Chocolat and the Norse myths thatinspired her new novel Runelight.

At a separate event, a group of aspiring novelistsattended a masterclass – How to Write & Sell YourNovel – at The Keys with editor and “book doctor”Andrew Wille and former publishing PR and theowner of Key Words, Michelle Hodgson.

Andrew and Michelle, who worked together formany years at Little, Brown publishers in London,lifted the lid on the publishing world and gave adviceon both the writing process and how to approachagents and publishers.

Michelle said: “I’m delighted with the response tothese first two events. Having worked in publishingfor many years, it’s great to see the enthusiasm of aHuddersfield audience for author and creative writingevents.

“We have some fantastic authors lined up for nextyear, including Iain Banks and Peter James, and Iwas pleased to hear some people say they plannedto book for all of them.”

Go to www.key-words.co.uk/events