KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees7, December, 2010

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Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

NICK LEDGARD JILL HAGUEOn the winning side

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Ways of the web

Co lumn - Page 4

FTSE 100+24.96

5770.28An EXAMINER publication

BreakingbarriersA SOCIAL housingprovider has beatentough competition towin a top award.Edgerton-based SadehLok landed aprestigious NorthernSilver Screen Award,which is run by theNorthern HousingConsortium.Sadeh Lok wasrecognised for itsinnovative employmentprogramme, UP &Working, which helpsresidents overcomebarriers to work,develop new skills andget back intoemployment.

WaterwinnerA COMPANY has beenrecognised for its liquidassets.Bronte Water CoolersLtd was namedBusiness of the Monthin the competition runby Huddersfield lawfirm Eaton Smith.The award waspresented at aceremony at the lawfirm’s Huddersfieldoffices.

Starring role fromProms to PresleySPONSORS and their guests have enjoyedsome top-grade summer entertainment –thanks to the efforts of two Huddersfieldbusinessmen.

Andy Roebuck and Charles Webb haveprovided events management and corporatehospitality for a wide range of spectacularsthis summer – including the BBC Proms inthe Park, Formula One’s Silverstone GrandPrix and horse racing’s Cheltenham Fest-ival.

The business partners, who run separatecompanies, but are both based at RailwayStreet, have been involved with BBC Promsin the Park for the past 12 years – lookingafter the BBC’s own hospitality at the HydePark venue.

This year, they rubbed shoulders withopera luminaries Dame Kiri Te Kanawa andtenor Jose Carreras as well as singer NeilSedaka.

Following the event, run in conjunctionwith the Promenade concerts at the RoyalAlbert Hall, the duo organised an ElvisForever event at the park for BBC Radio 2,which was attended by The King’s ex-wifePriscilla Presley.

“The Elvis event made use of the samemarquee, but was aimed at Elvis fans andmeant a change of decor to the Proms event,”said Charles. “Both events brought specialchallenges working in a royal park in terms ofhealth and safety matters and constructionon site.”

The Hyde Park performances were amonga series of summer spectaculars for Andy andCharles – who operate as AR Events Ltd andCPW Events respectively and have more than30 years in the hospitality and events

industry.Other highlights included organising hos-

pitality for highly-valued guests of sponsorswhen Formula One arrived at Silverstone.

The famous race track has signed a 17-yeardeal to host the British Grand Prix and isre-developing the site to make it a venue thatcompares with the best anywhere in theworld.

Said Charles: “We have been involved withthe Grand Prix for many years, originallyproviding temporary seating and marquees.We are now one of only a handful of officialsuppliers.”

Among other events, Charles and Andyhave been involved in organising authenticOktober Fest events with oompah bands andfrauleins serving steins of beer for corporateclients in Leeds and at Aintree racecourse.

Charles and Andy will be also organisecorporate hospitality for the BBC SportsPersonality of the Year Awards.

The televised event will be held on Decem-ber 19 in front of a 12,000-strong audience atthe LG Arena in Birmingham.

The annual awards has been going for 50years.

For the last four years, the BBC has takenit out of the studio to hold it in citiesincluding Liverpool and Sheffield.

Charles said recession had not affectedtheir businesses too badly. “In difficult times,it is even more important to look after yourclients,” he said.

“If you don’t invite them to events, yourcompetitors will. It is all about buildingrelationships with customers outside work.”

■ STARSTRUCK: Andy Roebuck (above left) and CharlesWalls (above right) with Priscilla Presley at the Elvis PresleyForever concert held at Hyde Park in London. Below (from left)Neil Sedaka, Jose Carreras and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, whoperformed at the BBC Proms in the Park, where Andy andCharles were responsible for organising corporate hospitality

Tax inspectors ‘targeting smaller companies’KIRKLEES firms are urged to getready for a visit by the tax inspector.

The call comes as HM Revenue &Customs targets business owners in abid to close the tax gap – the differencebetween tax raised and what is thoughtto be owed – by £4bn at the end of thisfinancial year.

Nick Brook who runs small businesstax and accountancy firm TaxAssistAccountants in Lockwood, said:

“Cash businesses across West York-shire such as private taxi firms, pubs,corner shops and takeaways are partic-ularly vulnerable and should ensurethey have all their books in order andanswers ready.”

He said investigation insurancecompany CCH had seen an explosionin new cases, with new claims up 82%compared to the previous year – afigure expected to rise even further in

the next few months.But Mr Brook added: “Business

owners should not take this attack ontheir legitimate earnings and hardwork lying down.

“If they ensure they have all theright procedures, records and proof ofincome and expenditure in place, theycan show the tax inspector the door.“They should also ask their account-ant for fee protection insurance to

cover the costs which could be run upin fighting any claims from HMRC.”

Mr Brook said firms should beready to challenge any part of the taxassessment they know to be wrong –and ensure their tax adviser is experi-enced in negotiating with HMRC.

Businesses under investigation cansee any documents held on them bycalling the HMRC data protectionunit on 0191 2257575.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5770.28Up 24.96

Mouchel targeted for takeover

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £28.54 -0.08Gannett 940.63 +6.38Hess Corp £46.96 -0.42Microsoft 1709.07 -14.03Motors Liquidation 47.83Wal-Mart Stores £34.83

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 210BAE Systems 3251/2 -3/4Rolls-Royce Gp 6401/2 +13

AIMBrady Plc 621/2 -11/2Dawson Intl 11/2Man Brnze 563/4 -63/4

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2063/8 -21/2

BANKSBarclays 263 -5HSBC 6663/4 +7/8Lloyds Banking Gp 661/8 -1/4Ryl Scotland 411/8 -3/8Stan Chart 18371/2 -1/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1142 -4SABMiller £211/2 +1/8

CHEMICALSCroda 1588 +19Elementis 98 125 +3Johnsn Mat 1945 +19

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2873/4 +3Costain 201 +1

ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 3733/8 +41/4Intl Power 4197/8 +13/8Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1120 -5

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1543/4 -31/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3625/8 +31/8

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1773/8 +21/4Cable & WirelessComm

48 +11/8

Cable & WirelessWwide

651/4 +3/4

Colt Group 129 +3/4KCOM 541/2 -1/4Talktalk Telecom 1613/4 +3/4

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2701/4 -3/4Sainsbury 3571/2 -41/2Tesco 420 -67/8

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1110 +16Nth Foods 661/2 +43/4Tate Lyle 541 +11Unilever 1853 -2Uniq 65/8 -1/8

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3163/8 -15/8National Grid 5521/2 -11/2Pennon Grp 6331/2 +1/2Severn 1433 +6United Utils 590 -1/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 3191/2 -1/4

ICAP 528 +91/2London StockExch 7861/2 -3Man Group 2763/4 -21/4Provident Financial 8061/2 -31/2Schroders 1748 +3Schroders NV 1382 +4

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 599 +31/2REXAM 3087/8 -21/4Smiths Grp 1217 +5

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 17 -1/4Carphone Whse 4001/4 +21/4Dixons Retail 251/2 -1/4Home Retail 2051/4 +1/4Inchcape 3521/4 +55/8Kingfisher 2541/8 -3/4M & S 3843/4 -1/4Mothercare 6001/2 -61/2Next £205/8WH Smith 5081/2 +41/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 596 -1

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 811/2 -11/2Barrat Dev 783/4 +3/4Persimmon 3823/4 +43/8Reckitt Benckiser £345/8Taylor Wimpey 271/4 +7/8

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 7571/2 +6I M I 914

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 3681/4 -23/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION

BBA Aviation 2023/4 +1/4Forth Ports 1374 +38

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3803/8 +7/8Lgl & Gen 971/2 -3/4Old Mutual 1187/8 -11/4Prudential 6081/2 +8Resolution 215 +31/4Standard Life 2041/4 -13/4

MEDIABSkyB 7291/2 +21/2Chrysalis 1583/4 +1/4D Mail Tst 5311/2 -71/2ITV 681/2 -21/4Johnston Press 10 +7/8Pearson 9781/2 -16Reed Elsevier 516 -81/2STV Group 941/4 -3/4Trinity Mirror 751/2 +21/2Utd Business 6481/2 -71/2UTV 1263/4 -31/4WPP 750 -5Yell Group 121/8 -1/4

MININGAnglo American £305/8 +1/8Antofagasta 1457 +21BHP Billiton £243/8 +1/8Eurasian NaturalRes

914 -19

Fresnillo 1574 +6Kazakhmys 1524 +13Lonmin 1825 +3Rio Tinto £445/8 +3/8VEDANTARESOURCES

£213/8 -1/2

Xstrata 1437 +47

MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 666 +13Vodafone Group 165 +1

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1610 +4RSA Insurance Gp 1227/8 -2

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1267 +321/2BP 450 +143/4Cairn Energy 408 +101/4Royal Dutch Shell A £201/4Royal Dutch Shell B £20Total £321/2 +3/8Tullow Oil 1197 +19

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1139 +17

Petrofac 1500Wood Group 503 +5

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1109 +30PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £303/8 -1/8Axis-Shield 270 +10GlaxoSmithK XD 41/2Shire 1488 -17

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 507 +2Captl Shop Cent 4111/2 +31/8DTZ Hldgs 45 +3Hamrsn 4181/8 -31/4Land Secs 6471/2 -4SEGRO 2883/4 -31/8

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1351 +7Dimension Data 119 -33/4Invensys 3371/2 -31/4Logica 1207/8 +11/4Misys 2997/8 +23/8Sage Group 2791/4 -1/2

SUPPORT SERVICESBunzl 728 +6Capita 6691/2 +34Davis ServiceGroup

4063/4 +13/4

De La Rue 841 +1931/2Electrocomp 2771/2 +41/2Experian 7821/2 -21/2G4S 2383/4 +1/4Hays 114 -1/8Homeserve 4623/4 +65/8Menzies J 4711/4 +11/4Rentokil 911/8Smiths News 1041/4 -3/4

Wolseley 1830 +37

IT HARDWARE

ARM Hldgs 3981/2 -41/4Psion 931/2 -11/2Spirent Comms 155 -3/8

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £235/8 -1/8Imperial Tobacco 1900 +7

LEISURE & HOTELS

Brit Airways 2721/2 +7/8Carnival £267/8 -1/8Compass Grp 5851/2 +12easyJet 4345/8 +7Enterprise Inns 115 +21/4FirstGroup 3833/8 +61/4Go-Ahead Gp 1300 +55Greene King 4721/4 +61/4Intercontl Htls 1224 +12Ladbrokes 1263/4 +1Mitchells & Butlers 3551/4 +21/4Natl Express 2335/8 +4PartyGaming 2541/4 -33/8Rank Org 127 -2Stagecoach Group 2081/2 +41/4TUI Travel 2305/8 +15/8Whitbread 1784 +2

INDEXFTSE 100 5770.28 +24.96

INDEXFTSE 250 11151.35 +69.18

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.51 dollarsBangladesh................. 104.76 takaBrazil.............................. 2.37 realsCanada....................... 1.50 dollarsChina ............................. 9.35 yuanCzech Republic ...... 27.07 korunasDenmark....................... 8.35 kroneEuro............................... 1.12 euroHong Kong................ 11.60 dollarsHungary ................... 294.03 forintsIndia.......................... 62.20 rupeesJapan........................... 124.11 yenMexico ....................... 17.34 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.92 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.95 kronePakistan.................. 127.33 rupeesPhilippines ................. 58.99 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.07 randSouth Korea.............. 1554.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 165.05 rupeesSweden....................... 10.23 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.46 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.44 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.19 new liraUSA ............................ 1.50 dollars

Carclo 2171/2 +41/2Chapelthorpe 231/2Marshalls 1081/2 +5National Grid 5521/2 -11/2Weir Gp 1842 -2

AMBATTLED British-banknote printerDe La Rue could fall into foreign handsafter a rival firm from France revealed itwants to buy the company.

Paris-based Oberthur said it made anoffer of 905p per share on November 10,but De La Rue’s management refused toenter into talks as they did not believe theoffer recognised the true value of thecompany.

De La Rue’s share price has plummetedby more than a third in recent monthsfollowing production problems thatcaused its chief executive James Hussey toresign and cost the group £35m.

Oberthur brought its offer out in theopen with a statement which is likely to putpressure on De La Rue to engage intalks.

It said: “Oberthur very much hopes thatthe board of De La Rue will agree to enter

into substantive discussions, possibly lead-ing to an offer which would benefit thecompany’s customers, its staff and itsshareholders and could provide the cata-lyst for restoring the company’s reputa-tion.”

Its offer was a 64% increase on De LaRue’s share price when it slumped to 550pfollowing a trading update on November23 in which the company revealed the costof the blunder.

Oberthur would deduct the 14.1pdividend announced in November and anyfuture dividend payments from its offer, itadded.

Shares in De La Rue soared by 32%yesterday following the announcements.

In a statement released earlier, De LaRue said the potential offer was “highlypreliminary and opportunistic” and didnot reveal the identity of the bidder.

The world’s biggest banknote printersaid in its half-year results in Novemberthat volumes are set to drop 20% this yearfollowing the crisis, which suspended pro-duction and a shipment of the affectedbanknote for two months.

The group posted a 57% rise in pre-taxprofits to £69.4m in the six months toSeptember 25 after the hit from the pro-duction issues was offset by the sale ofassets and the closure of a pension scheme.It is unclear how the problems will affect itsfull-year accounts.

De La Rue has claimed the productionissues were caused by some employeesdeliberately falsifying paper specificationtest certificates for some banknote custom-ers.

The firm has carried out its own inquiryand passed a file to the Serious FraudOffice for investigation.

HSBC inlaw suitTHE lawyer in charge ofrecovering losses forvictims of disgracedfinancier Bernard Madoffis suing British bankinggiant HSBC for £5.7bn.

Court-appointedtrustee Irving Picard hasaccused HSBC ofhelping Madoff’s schemeby creating a dozenso-called feeder fundsacross the world.

Mr Picard has alsoaccused the bank ofignoring warnings fromits own accountants thatMadoff’s hugeinvestment record wassuspicious.

Madoff is serving a150-year term for a£41bn fraud.

He admitted deceivingthousands of investorsthrough a Ponzi scheme,which paid out using newinvestors’ money ratherthan from any profits.

The lawsuit, whichcontains 24 counts ofalleged financial fraudand misconduct byHSBC, was filed at theUS Bankruptcy Court inNew York.

Mr Picard named otherdefendants in the filing,including themanagement companiesand providers of thefeeder funds – a fundthat conducts most of itsinvesting through anotherfund.

Mr Picard alleges thatthe defendants were wellaware of the signs offraud that were alreadycirculating aroundBernard L MadoffInvestment Securities(BLMIS). He claimed thatHSBC had twice askedaccountants KPMG toidentify concerns withBLMIS, and KPMG twicereported serious risksalready known to HSBC.

French rival in bidfor banknotes firm

■ CASH CALL: De LaRue targeted for takeover

INSOLVENCY specialist BegbiesTraynor issued a profits warning –after a fall in the number of compan-ies going to the wall.

The professional services con-sultancy said adjusted pre-tax profitsfor the six months to October 31 wereexpected to be 16% lower than a yearearlier – down by £700,000 to £3.6m.

The Manchester-based companywas hit by a 9% decline in insolvencyrevenues as the economic recoverymeant fewer firms went bust. Begbiesalso took a £800,000 hit as a result ofrestructuring costs.

Government statistics show an 18%fall in the number of UK insolvencies

during the third quarter of 2010 com-pared with the same period last year.

Begbies Traynor, which claims to bethe UK’s biggest administrator by thenumber of cases handled, said com-pany failures remained lower thanexpected in the fourth quarter of theyear because of temporary Govern-ment support initiatives and lenientcreditors.

However, it expects insolvencies torise in 2011 as the Government’sBudget cuts start to bite.

It said the reduction in revenuesfrom administration work had beenoffset by a better performance in itsnon-insolvency operations.

Bebgies profits set to slipEMBATTLED outsourcing firmMouchel said it faced potential hos-tile takeover bids after financialfears sent its shares plunging.

The group, which develops infra-structure for councils and Govern-ment agencies, said it had receivedseveral approaches, but that theydid not “reflect the true value of thecompany”.

Mouchel has been hit by fallingdemand as Government depart-ments rein in spending and post-pone or scaled down projects.

Its shares have slumped to below60p in recent weeks from a yearhigh of 268p as investors headedfor the exit in the face of Govern-

ment spending cuts and asMouchel holds crucial talks overthe refinancing of its debt pile.

Shares in Mouchel soared asmuch as 34% after news of theapproaches.

However, the group stressed itwas making progress with self-helpmeasures to get the business backon track.

It is considering selling non-coreparts of the business and is lookingat a possible fundraising to shoreup its balance sheet.

The group axed its final dividendin October after posting losses of£14.7m and a 15% fall in revenues to£632.6m for the year to July 31.

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

Nick Ledgard

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Managing partnerAge: 44Family: Married toDebbieHolidays: Scotland andMinorcaCar: Saab 94First job: Holiday job asa lab assistant at MitchellCotts in MirfieldBest thing about job:Meeting people and help-ing them achieve theirgoalsWorst thing about job:BureaucracyBusiness tip: Set goals,so you have something todrive at – and go for it!

Work: CharteredaccountantsSite: Greenhead Road,HuddersfieldEmployees: 16Phone: 01484 542878Email: nick.ledgard@walker-sutcliffe.co.ukWebsite: www.walker-sutcliffe.co.uk

Walker &Sutcliffe

Timefor ateamtalk!

CRICKET lover NickLedgard knows there’s a lotto be said for teamwork.

As managing partner atHuddersfield charteredaccountancy firm Walker &Sutcliffe, he helps foster aspirit of teamwork amongthe staff at its GreenheadRoad offices.

And he encouragesclients to take a teamapproach when it comes tostrategic planning for thefuture – both in dealing withdirectors and employees aswell as accountants,bankers and solicitors.

“That is what I enjoy,” hesays. “Asking companies:‘Where do you want to be inthree years’ time?’ – andhelping them achieve theirbusiness goals.

“You have a team ofdirectors running thecompany, but you need anexternal team –accountants, bankers andsolicitors – who are a teamof advisers and who arethere to help.

“Typically, the memberson a board of directorshave roughly the sameideas, but they are pullingin slightly differentdirections because they arenot focused. We aim to helpthem focus on where theywant to be and how theyintend to get there – puttinginterim goals and targets inplace.

“It is also about sayingit’s okay to fail to hit thosetargets. Getting close tothose targets is a lot betterthat if we had set no targetsat all.”

Nick draws a timelyanalogy to explain theimportance of planning inbusiness. “You can’t sit inyour car ready to driveaway with your frontwindscreen frosted over –but a lot of people arepotentially driving theirbusinesses without beingable to see clearly the wayahead.”

Having professionals inthe team gives businessesan advantage, says Nick.“Many of the issues andproblems are the same forall firms. We can helpcompanies sort them outbecause other clients havehad the same issues.

“We are also a soundingboard – someone removedfrom the day-to-day issues,who can offer support andencouragement.”

Says Nick: “Companiesface more and moreregulation and there aremore areas where you canbe caught out. As the bossyou should be working onthe business – not in thebusiness, but it is extremelydifficult for small firms todevote time to strategicplanning.

“We advise that businessbosses take time during theweek to look at strategy,instead of getting tooinvolved in the nitty-gritty.”

Nick believes inteamwork to help raise hisown game – and in sodoing benefit his clients.

He is a member ofVistage, an organisation formanaging directors andmanaging partners whichholds monthly meetings forits members in the

Huddersfield, Halifax andHarrogate areas to listen toexpert speakers anddiscuss common concerns.

“Vistage has helped meand it has helped Walker &Sutcliffe,” says Nick.“Members are not allowedto trade with each other, sowe are entirely objectiveabout our businesses. Theadvice and information I getfrom being a member ofVistage, I can pass on to therest of the team and ourclients.”

At school, Nick says hisambition was to be a civilengineer, joking: “But myfather said I was not verycivil! In the event, mybrother was training to bean accountant and I thoughtthat was for me. I wasalways good at maths.”

Nick, who hails fromMirfield, was also good atcricket. He was captain ofthe cricket team in his finalyear at Woodhouse GroveSchool, Applerley Bridge.

Originally an all-rounder –until losing his bowlingaction during his teenageyears – Nick has kept faithwith the game. He has

played for the same club for35 years – Mirfield ParishCavaliers and its forerunnerDewsbury Cavaliers – andhas won prizes at all levelsfrom under-13s upwards.

Although Nick no longerplays regularly, he still turnsout when the team’s a playershort. “One day, my wifeDebbie and I were makingthe teas when I was askedto play,” he says. “I openedthe batting so I could get theteas ready, then after teatook two wickets to win thematch. One of the opposingplayers was complaining thatthey had lost the game to 10men and a tea lady!”

Now Nick swings a golfclub at Huddersfield GolfClub and has set a target ofreducing his handicap of 22by the end of 2011. “If youhave played ball games,there’s no feeling like timinga shot to perfection,” hesays. “You get a lot ofcamaraderie at golf and it’salso good for your health.The way I play, it’s a five-milewalk even when the courseis only three miles!”

One of Nick’s proudestmoments didn’t involve a

cricket bat or a golf club.“I played the violin when Iwas young, which led tome going on a tour ofWest Germany with theNational Scouts andGuides SymphonyOrchestra in 1985,” herecalls. “On our return, weplayed Elgar’s Pomp andCircumstance No 1 in theRoyal Albert Hall. I havenot played a note since Ileft school, but I will neverforget that experience.”

Nick graduated with aBA in accountancy atLiverpool Polytechnic andbegan work for a firm inHeadingley, Leeds, wherehe received a goodgrounding in generalaccountancy practice. Helater joined Bell Moorby inHuddersfield – where hemet Debbie. They marriedin 1994 – the same yearNick qualified as achartered accountant.

In 1997, he joinedWalker & Sutcliffe, ageneral practice coveringeverything from personaltax, corporate tax andinheritance tax toaccounts, book-keepingand audit. He became apartner in 2000.

In recent months, thewell-established firm hashad a change of image,introducing a new logoand a new look as well asupgrading its website.

It has also establisheda joint venture with wealthmanagement specialistRobertson Baxter as wellas referring clients toEastwood and Partnersfor some matters.

“It means we can offereverything,” says Nick.“Our mission statement isall about the client andgetting the client to wherethey want to be. I think wecan now say we fulfil ourmission statement.”

Nick is keen for thefirm’s new-look website toprovide a forum for clientfirms to help each other.“The idea is for them toform a ‘peer group’ in theclients’ area of the

website where they canpose questions and getanswers from otherclients and professionals.

“I am optimistic aboutthe next five or 10 years –for Walker & Sutcliffe andfor Huddersfield and itsbusinesses. It can reallydrive forward. I amenthusiastic about thatand about being a part ofhelping people achievewhat they want.”

■ TEAM PLAYER: Nick Ledgard of Walker Sutcliffe,Chartered Accountants, says teamwork achieve more thandictatorships

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KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at ChadwickLawrence Solicitors

EMPLOYER’SBRIEFNeil Wilson

Companies canput it all downto experienceSMALL and medium-sized firm inKirklees can now get recognition forproviding work experience.The National Council for WorkExperience has extended its QualityMark accreditation to coverbusinesses with fewer than 250staff.Until now, the NCWE Quality Markseal of approval has only beenavailable to large organisations. Thelaunch of a national standard forwork experience provisionspecifically for SMEs will recognisethose companies offering qualityinternships – helping them toattract and compete for some of thebest graduate talent.Jo Denye, quality advisor at theNCWE, said: “The employability ofgraduates is hugely topical asbusinesses increasingly expectthem to have some understandingof the world of work.“As a result, the demand forinternships has risen and we’veparticularly seen more interest fromsmaller companies, either wantingto start schemes or be recognisedas providing a quality experience.”To achieve accreditation, acompany must demonstrate that itmeets specific criteria – that itenables companies to reducerecruitment and training costs byviewing interns as potential hireswithout commitment; enhancesproductivity by knowledge transferon specific projects; benchmarksexisting programmes; maintains thecompany’s reputation via studentrecommendations; and brings newideas and fresh perspectives intothe business.The NCWE Quality Mark wasestablished in 2005. Currentaccredited organisations includeIBM, BP and Marks and Spencer. Goto www.work-experience.org

RecognisingChinese linksCOMPANIES trading with Chinahave been urged to enter a regionalaward.The Yorkshire and Humber ChinaBusiness Awards will be presentedbefore an audience of hundredsduring the Yorkshire and HumberChinese New Year Dinner onFebruary 10, 2011.Judges will pick a winner in each ofthree categories – Best ChinaBusiness, Best China Newcomerand Best China Education Links.The awards, sponsored by DLAPiper UK and run by Batley-basedConnect China Ltd, are open toindividuals, firms and organisationsmaking a significant contribution todeveloping business andnetworking links with China during2010.Email info@connectchina.co.uk torequest an application form. Theclosing date for entries is Thursday,December 23.

Beware perils of the office party

BANKER’SBLOGJill Hague

Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdaleand Kirklees

Following thosefootprints onlineYour online footprint is the

sum of every move yourbusiness makes online –whether through your website,online advertising, PR or socialmedia activity.

It also includes the trail left byyour customers in blogs and forums.How can you ensure you're creatingthe best online impression of yourbusiness? Moulding the imprint youleave online presents a challenge toany business.

You may be able to control howyou present your brand on yourwebsite, for example, but you can'ttell people what to say in blogs, onforums or on social media.

“Ten years ago, if someone had aproblem, it might end up on Watch-dog or in a newspaper,” explainsWayne Smallman, blogger and dir-ector of internet marketing agencyOctane Interactive.

“Nowadays, these things can goviral if somebody finds a clever wayof complaining about a product.

“Some people will go to greatlengths to damage your brand if youdon’t deal with their complaint.When musician David Carroll's gui-tar was broken during a UnitedAirlines flight, he recorded the satir-ical ‘United breaks guitars’ put it onYouTube and attracted over 9mviews.

“Something like this can happento any business, and it's possible thatsomeone is talking about your busi-ness somewhere. But they may notbe simply complaining – the inter-net also offers many opportunitiesto generate positive comment and

improve your company's image.”A clear and helpful website

provides the foundation, but youronline presence extends far beyondyour own site.

It is possible to survey your reachwith tools such as SurveyMonkey,which will pick up any mentions ofyour firm.With the information thisgives you, you can find out exactlywhere people talk about you andwhy.

It can give you good informationabout how your marketing is per-ceived and the quality of your cus-tomer service. If you failed to dealwith a complaint, for instance, theunhappy customer may well havetold others.

Google Alerts will keep watch formentions of your firm in news, blogsand social media sites like Twitter,as well as phrases related to yourbusiness. By seeing how people arereacting to your campaigns, forexample, you can alter them on thefly.

Tools such as these can give youinsight into the state of your com-pany's reputation and the effective-ness of your sales and marketing

operations. But they also give you ameans to enter and influence con-versations among customers thatused to happen out of earshot.

“Find those people who are nothappy with you and repair theirproblems so that when peoplesearch for your company on theinternet the top listing on the firstpage is not ‘XYZ Ltd is rubbishbecause they sold me a widget thatbroke’,” said Mr Smallman.

“Stay on your toes, engage, andthis is what you will see – three orfour messages into the conversationwill be a member of staff from XYZLtd saying, 'Hi, I noticed you had aproblem with your green widget.What can I do to help you?”

Matt Anderson, commercial dir-ector of Montage Communications,s a i d : “ Wh e n s o m e o n e s ay ssomething positive about yourbrand, it's important to notice thatand thank them.

“A simple thank you increases thelikelihood of people publicly com-plimenting you again.

“Social media such as Facebook,Twitter and LinkedIn are provingessential tools for many businesses

to speak directly with customers,suppliers and peers.

“With an open and friendlyapproach, they can create positiveconversations about your company,stimulate word-of-mouth market-ing and open up sales opportunit-ies.

“If you are using social media,however, don’t view them merely asan addition to your existing market-ing and customer service activity.Using them as marketing and cus-tomer service tools in their ownright will help to orientate you as anapproachable, customer-focusedbusiness.

“Using sites like Alexa and Sur-veyMonkey, you can also see howyour online impact compares withyour competitors’ and make anassessment of what works and whatdoesn't in your sector.

“While this benchmarkingprovides a snapshot of your per-formance against a competitor, yourkey performance indicators aremore effective at encouraging andimproving performance,” said MrAnderson.

“Your overriding aim should beto improve your business online allthe time.

“The opportunities for creativeonline marketing increase simultan-eously – particularly if yours is abusiness where engagement is crit-ical to your reputation.

“There are lots of opportunitiesout there by having your onlinebrand where you want it to be. Makeit happen.”

CHRISTMAS is almost uponus – and this means the

“works Christmas do”.For many employers, this is a time

to fear – misconduct ranging fromgeneral banter gone wrong to allega-tions of serious sexual assault andrape have been experienced in thepast, so it is important that theemployer takes a firm line and pre-pares fully in advance of theseevents.

With employees in high spirits atsuch events, it is not uncommon forthere to be allegations of bantertaking place which has been miscon-strued, arguments or indeed physicalviolence and fighting. This is arather common occurrence on whichwe are often asked to advise.

Nowadays, there is an added riskas a result of the rise of socialnetworking websites. The latestwarning is for businesses to be awareof the risks of allowing employees totake photographs at these events.

A “merry” employee with amobile phone may now, in many

cases, quickly upload a photographthey have taken onto the internet, forpotentially millions of people to see.Often, if an employee has consumedalcohol, their judgement will besomewhat impaired, and they willnot think about the consequences ofputting the photos in the publicdomain.

This can have serious con-sequences on a number of fronts,depending on the nature of theimages that are taken. Fellowemployees may well object to them,which could lead to allegations of abreach of privacy, or even defama-

tion. Much ill-feeling within thebusiness generally may also be oneramification of such actions.

Employers therefore need to takecare when providing festive celebra-tions for their staff and think partic-ularly carefully about free barfacilities which often are the triggerfor many of the problems. All man-ner of other issues can result fromthe Christmas party celebrations.

Often at such events equal oppor-tunities policies are breached orthings go on which lead to thebreach of those types of policies andharassment of staff in the future.

Here are a few rules that should befollowed:

● Prepare a policy and place it onthe intranet or notice boards orcirculate by email to make employ-ees aware of the standards of beha-viour expected of them – and the factthat disciplinary action may betaken if the rules are breached

● Consider providing alternativetransport for attendees, especiallyfor those who intend making themost of the bar facility

● Consider whether you will beproviding a free bar. If employeeshave to pay they may well limit theamount they consume

● Consider the age of youremployees – do not allow the16-year-old trainee to kick backtequila slammers all night

● Consider the menu that you willoffer – religious beliefs impact on themenu choice and drinks available

● If you are holding a party in theoffice, DO NOT make the photo-copier accessible!

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Companies can

or

. The

ammes; maintains the

. Go

tions

Exact science thatis paying dividends

■ ACCURATE: Dr Andrew Longstaff (left) and Dr Simon Fletcher, of the Engineering Controland Machine Performance Research Group

Iceland warming to agency’s offerSO that’s why Iceland goes to Hudders-field.

The food retailer – whose TV adsexplain “That’s Why Mums go to Ice-land – turned to a Huddersfield advert-ising agency to design and produceIceland’s online advertising to supportits sponsorship of ITV reality show“I’m A Celebrity”.

George & Co, based at the MediaCentre in Northumberland Street, wona four-way pitch to handle the work.The ads are now appearing onITV.com plus other affiliated sites suchas Jeremy Kyle and Loose Women.

Mr Carter launched George and Coearlier this year – since when theagency has produced advertising formajor names, including Argos,Carphone Warehouse, Allied Carpets,T K Maxx, Discover Ireland and BovisHomes.

Before launching his own business,Mr Carter was employed by GuardianMedia Group as national sales man-ager for its regional division and lateras client services director.

Commenting on the Iceland work,Ninka Hulme, broadcast advertisingand PR co-ordinator for the retailer,said: “This is a highly successful pro-motion and brings heightened aware-ness in the crucial pre-Christmasseason.

“George and Co's understanding ofour brand and proposition and thecreative quality of their ideas anddesigns really impressed.”

Simon Pailin, creative director ofGeorge and Co, said "We weredelighted to win the opportunity towork on this high profile campaign andare very proud of the work that wedelivered.

“The beauty of online advertising isthat click-through rates give an accur-ate measure of response. The web ana-lytic reports from ITV.com show thatour design work is generating higherinteraction than previous campaignsso the client is very pleased.”

George Carter, managing partner ofGeorge and Co added "We founded theagency with the simple aim of provid-

ing local and national clients with thehighest possible levels of service, cre-ativity and accountability. This wincomes on the back of a number of

projects undertaken for major brandsduring the year and means that we lookforward to 2011 with confidence andoptimism.”

■ BRAND LEADER: George Carte,r of George & Co

HUDDERSFIELD is at theheart of efforts to ensureEurope leads the world inproviding machine tools cap-able of astonishing accuracy.

The University of Hudders-field’s Centre for PrecisionTechnologies has landed astring of grants through theEuropean Commission forwork aimed at making the con-tinent’s knowledge-based eco-nomy the most dynamic in theworld.

The CPT’s Engineering Con-trol and Machine PerformanceResearch Group has beenawarded more than 1m Eurosso far to contribute to researchthat will produce massive gainsin machine tool accuracy. Thelatest grant named, HARCO,is a three-year project worth338,000 Euros.

Senior research fellow andDr Andrew Longstaff takesday-to-day charge of the pro-ject, which will develop smartactuators that can be fitted tomachine tools and enable themto eliminate all but the mostminute errors when producing

components.The margin of accuracy

aimed at is up to half a micron– a micron is a millionth of ametre – which will constitute“incredible performance”.

The technology that emerges– the result of developments inboth hardware and software –will consist of modules that canbe incorporated into newmachines or retro-fitted toexisting ones.

The ECMPG at Hudders-field is one of a group of lead-ing European firms anduniversities working on differ-ent aspects of the project.A n o t h e r i s G e r m a ny ’sFraunhofer Institute, thelargest research organisation inEurope. All of the researchpartners contribute specialareas of expertise.

The latest project will see theHuddersfield team of up to sixresearchers concentrating onmethods of controlling variousmodules that will be fitted tomachine tools in pursuit ofgreater accuracy.

Said Dr Longstaff: “The

other two funded projects arewell underway. The first pro-ject, named ADAMOD, whichI am managing, is into its finalyear while the second project,SOMMACT, is being technic-

ally managed by my colleagueDr Simon Fletcher and this hasjust begun its second year.

“These projects are drawingon the extensive metrologyexpertise of the CPT.”

In addition to EuropeanCommission projects, theECMPG has forged partner-ships with many leading UKfirms and there are new collab-orations in the pipeline.

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

Stars of thesilver screenA SOCIAL housing provider hasbeaten tough competition to win atop award.

Edgerton-based Sadeh Lok landeda prestigious Northern Silver ScreenAward, which is run by the NorthernHousing Consortium.

Sadeh Lok was recognised for itsinnovative employment programme,UP & Working, which helps residentsovercome barriers, develop new skillsand get back in to employment.

The Northern Silver Screen awardsare des igned to demonstrateexamples of excellent housing andcommunity initiatives within thesocial housing sector.

The UP & Working project won theBig Society category, competingagainst a variety of housing associ-ations including North East Homesin Leeds, Stockport Homes andGuinness Northern Counties.

The award ceremony was held atYork Races as part of the NorthernHousing Consortium Annual Con-ference, where a five-minute videoabout the UP & Working project wasshowcased to all delegates.

A judging panel, made up ofindustry professionals and housingexperts selected the UP & Workingproject from a category that includedprojects surrounding key Big Societyissues such as anti-social behaviourand youth offending.

Sadeh Lok acting chief executivePaul Dolan said: “We are pleased toreceive such a prestigious award andappreciate that our hard work hasbeen recognised by our peers. #

“We offer our residents a holisticapproach to employment providingthem with support packages tailoredto their individual needs with theultimate goal of getting them back

into work.“With new housing benefit legisla-

tion coming into effect in 2012, it isnow more important than ever thathousing associations provide theirresidents with the necessary support,advice and guidance to ensure theyare fully prepared for the changesahead.”

The Sadeh Lok Group was estab-lished in 1988 to respond effectivelyto disadvantage, discrimination andexclusion by opening up opportunityfor all. The organisation providesseveral services focusing on improv-ing the lives of their residents and thecommunities within which they live.

■ ON FILM: Brenda Elson (left), Sadeh Lok employment support manager,and Zara Brook, employment adviser, with the award

Agency finds new tenantTHE industrial team, at CBRichard Ellis in WestYorkshire has let a 6,093sq ftunit at NewmillerdamIndustrial Estate in Wakefieldto HM &Sons Salvage TradingLtd.The agency was acting onbehalf of DCT DevelopmentsLtd.Following the letting. there isjust one 15,000sq ft unitremaining available forimmediate occupancy.Daniel Austin, senior surveyor

of industrial agency at CBRichard Ellis in Leeds, said:“Unit 5.3 at NewmillerdamIndustrial Estate ideally suitedHM & Sons’ requirement for awell-located industrial facilityclose to Leeds and Sheffieldwith incorporated officeaccommodation.“The unit has excellent linksto all major motorwaynetworks via the M1 inaddition to providing on-sitesecurity, private parking andfull facilities.”

Deadline nears forindustry awardsBUILDERS across Kirkleeshave just a few days to puttheir health and safety recordto the test by entering theHealth and Safety Awards2011.They have until Friday tosubmit entries.“Health and safety should betop of the agenda for everybuilder, particularly as historyhas shown that incident ratestypically rise as constructionactivity picks up after arecession,” said SimonMantle, health and safetymanager for the NationalHousebuilding Council.“NHBC wants to recogniseand reward the vast amountof excellent health and safetypractice that is beingimplemented throughout thecountry by small and largebuilders alike.“As well as promoting healthand safety awareness acrossthe industry, the NHBCAwards are a fantasticaccolade for winning

companies – drivingcommercial success andboosting employee morale.”All NHBC-registered housebuilders are invited tocompete in categoriesincluding best site and bestcompany. A number ofspecial awards will alsorecognise excellence inoccupational health, workerengagement and health andsafety leadership.The closing date for thosecategories is January 24,2011.Entrants will be subject to arigorous judging process,including site inspections forsite entries. Small, mediumand large companies will bejudged against their peers inseparate classes.A shortlist of finalists will beannounced on April 1, 2011,before the awards ceremonyis held at the ICC inBirmingham on May 20.

Tenants ‘left in the dark’LANDLORDS are failing to keep tenants up to date with“green” issues, it is claimed.

A survey by property consultant GVA Grimley showedthat 89% of occupiers were dissatisfied with theirlandlords’ interaction with them on sustainability issues.

More than 40% of occupiers said their landlords hadn’tcontacted them over the last year about the CRC EnergyEfficiency Scheme.

But John Anderson, of GVA Grimley’s buildingconsultancy team, said it would only take some simpleinitiatives from landlords to address the issue.

He said: “In 12 months, landlords’ interactions withoccupiers on environmental issues seem to haveremained unchanged.

“But concern among occupiers about such issues is upby nearly half – with particular concern coming from theoffice sector.

“In fact, an impressive three-quarters of all occupierssurveyed said that environmental and sustainabilityissues are important to their business.

“There could be many reasons for greater occupierconcern – from higher fuel costs to corporate socialresponsibility, greater media focus on sustainability and

tighter regulation.“What’s clear is that occupiers feel that landlords could

be doing more. The good news for landlords is that thereare easy ways for them to change existing perceptionsand be seen to be doing more.”

GVA Grimley said measures could include:implementing green leases, including a performanceagreement about how the building is to be improved,managed and occupied in a sustainable way; creating amemorandum of understanding where both parties agreeto work together to improve the building’s environmentalperformance; regularly reporting on energy use andsetting targets; and setting up building managementcommittees to discuss environmental performancemeasures.

Town continues partnershipHUDDERSFIELD Town fanscan now get into the transfermarket – when it comes toselling or renting out aproperty.The club has announced it iscontinuing its partnershipwith Marsh-based propertyagents Oxley Property.Mark Davies, businessdevelopment manager at theclub, said: “We’re delighted tocontinue the partnership.“They’ve been fantastic to usover the last year and withtheir reputation growingthroughout the region we arereally happy that they want tocontinue their involvement

with the club.“They’ve also gone that extramile and made a bespokeoffering for Town supporterswho are looking to sell or rentout a property.”The company will also give asigned away shirt away toevery person who uses themto sell their property.In an exclusive offer to Townfans, Oxley Property willcharge a fixed fee of £850 forhandling the sale of aproperty valued at about£125,000. If it is valued atmore than £125,000 the fee is0.75% of the sale price of theproperty.

Four new appointmentsPROPERTY agency CBRichard Ellis has announcedfour new appointments inYorkshire.The firm’s lease consultancyand rating division hasrecruited Chris Ward fromCarter Towler and NickMarsden from Cooke &Arkwright. Jamie Gellert,formerly of Colliers CRE, hasjoined the valuation team and

Michelle Lefton has joined theoffice agency.The move follows the recentappointment of RichardSunderland as managingdirector.Mr Sunderland said: ““Wealways strive to createopportunities for bright, newtalent to join our experiencedteams working on our localand national client base.”

For more information contact Alec Michaelon 07717 870 320 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk

www.michaelsteel.co.uk

Industrial Industrial

Industrial Commercial/leisure

PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT

Calder Bank, Dewsbury12,000 - 77,200 sq ft

Springwood Business Park,Holywell Green, Halifax972 m2 (10,466 sq ft)

Former Sin Nightclub,Huddersfield Road, Mirfield357 m2 (3,841 sq ft)

TO LET TO LET

TO LET TO LET

from early 2011 (whole complex could be available for sale)

immediately available immediately available

High quality modern industrial/warehouse units with excellenton site loading

Last remaining unit on popular estatewell located for J24 M62. High qualitywarehouse/industrial unit with offices& parking

Former nightclub/commercialpremises well located in town centresuitable for a variety of use(stp)

Albert Works, Albert Street,Lockwood, Huddersfield915 m2 (9,854 sq ft)Mainly single storey engineering workswith offices only short distance fromtown centre.Could be available with large yard

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Julian Garlick

WaxmanA COMPANY supplying ceramicshas announced a seniorappointment.

Julian Garlick (pictured) hasbeen promoted to the position ofoverall sales director forElland-based Waxman Ceramics.

Mr Garlick joined the companyabout 20 years ago andprogressed to become retailsales director in 2002 when he helped formulateWaxman’s retail expansion.

In his new post, Mr Garlick will also haveresponsibilities for the contract division of thecompany.

Waxman Ceramics is part of the WaxmanGroup, which is also involved in the distribution ofsynthetic fibres from Japan and solarphotovoltaic panels.

Missy Shutt-Vine

BlacksmithDesignA DESIGN consultancy inHuddersfield has added a newmember to its expanding team.

Lepton-based BlacksmithDesign Consultancy hasrecruited Missy Shutt-Vine asan account executive. MsShutt-Vine (pictured), whograduated in the summer, willbe responsible for managingclient accounts as well as thecompany’s online offering.

Neil Smith, managing director of BlacksmithDesign Consultancy, said: “Missy is a greataddition to the team at Blacksmith. With adegree in marketing, she will be concentratingon client management and strengthening ouronline presence.”

Ms Shutt-Vine graduated from NewcastleUniversity in July with a degree in marketing.During her study, she also spent one yearabroad at the EDHEC Business School in Nice,France.

One in ahundredAN insurance broker and riskmanagement specialist with clientsacross Kirklees is celebratingnational recognition.

Wilby Ltd is among the top 100independent brokers in the UK,according to a survey published byInsurance Age Magazine.

The company, founded in 1984 inHalifax, said the accolade wasrecognition for the efforts of its 54employees.

Managing director RichardBlackburn said: “It’s a greatachievement for the company to berecognised in the UK top 100independent insurance brokers.

“Our commitment to remaining anindependent insurance broker andensuring our clients receive a highlevel of customer service has beencrucial to our success.

“We are dedicated to upholdingour company values as we look togrow stronger and develop furtheras a business.”

Mr Blackburn said the accoladealso showed Wilby’s ability tocompete with the biggest in theindustry to provide businesses of allsizes across the region with a local,independent source of advice for allinsurance and risk managementneeds.

Louise Scott

Yorkshire BSYORKSHIRE Building Societyhas appointed Louise Scott asmedia relations manager.

Ms Scott (pictured), 29,previously worked for theNorthern Ireland Assembly assenior press officer for theUlster Unionist Party and as ajournalist for a number of localnewspapers.

In her role at the assembly,she worked closely with Members of theLegislative Assembly (MLAs) as well asGovernment Ministers providing key newsstories, briefings and policy updates to politicaland current affairs journalists.

She said: “The transition from politics to thefinancial sector is one which I am hugely excitedabout and one that is much related.

“The Yorkshire Building Society plays animportant role within our communities across theUK and this is not simply focused on thefinancial products we offer.

“The Yorkshire is fully committed to ensuringthat we give back to the communities werepresent through our various charitableprogrammes and volunteering initiatives.

In her now role, Ms Scott will be responsiblefor media matters across the Yorkshire BuildingSociety, Chelsea Building Society and BarnsleyBuilding Society brands.

A commercialbreak for Dean

■ OPENING DAY: Town chairman Dean Hoyle and HSBC area commercial directorJill Hague cut the ribbon to open the new centre at Chancery Lane

Snow? No problem!

■ MUSH: James and Emily Taylor with Leeds RoadToyota director Jared Griffin and the huskies

TOWN chairman Dean Hoyle was theguest of honour at the opening of newoffices for HSBC’s commercial bankingteam in Huddersfield.

The new premises at Chancery Lane inHuddersfield town centre will house ateam of 35 – providing services for com-mercial customers throughout the area –reflecting the steady growth of HSBC’scommercial business in Yorkshire and anongoing expansion of its commercialteam.

Mark Vines, HSBC regional commer-cial director for Yorkshire, said: “Thefacilities on offer to customers in the newpremises will enable us to further enhanceour support to commercial customers newand old.

“This move to larger offices demon-strates our commitment to the Yorkshirebusiness community and will enable us tobe better connected to clients and fellowprofessionals, both locally and globally.

“The improved video conferencingfacilities will enhance our communicationwith colleagues in the 85 countries inwhich HSBC operates to ensure that weconsistently deliver as the world’s localbank.”

About 120 customers attended the offi-cial opening, which included a businessquestion and answer session hosted by

Wayne Bowser, HSBC’s business develop-ment director for the North East, and Mr

Hoyle, who recently sold his successfulbusiness card company, Card Factory.

SNOW’S no problem forthis team of Siberianhuskies.

The dogs made a noisyappearance with their sledat West Riding Toyota inHuddersfield.

The visit – which camedespite the freezingtemperatures – was toentice customers to takeadvantage of thedealership’s VAT freeoffers.

The huskies, which canwork in temperatures aslow as -40°C, were broughtby their owner and amateursled racer, Darren Oxley.

Mr Oxley, 44, ofRotherham, is one of a fewhundred husky sled racersin the UK.

But Darren, who ownsseven racing huskies, saysthe sport is on the increasein the UK.

Mr Oxley, a former Cruftswinner, said: “They’re workdogs but you can havethem as pets. They’re greatwith everyone includingchildren.

“Everybody asks me if Ican give them a lift to workwith the dogs but you can’tuse them on a publichighway!”

Showroom marketingmanager Danny Holdenadded: “It was just an ideawe had. We thought we’ddo something different.”