Kirklees Business News, May 2009

239

Media messageTHE man at the helm of Hudders-field’s award-winning media centre isstanding down this summer to pursuehis own creative ventures.

Chief executive Teo Greenstreetsaid: “Over the last three years, myfocus has been entirely on securing thefuture of the Media Centre – not justbringing on stream the fourth mediacentre managed building, but also byrestating the company’s purpose, refo-cusing the brand, and strengtheningthe team, the finances and the creativeprogramme.

“With an excellent managementteam and growing demand for ourproducts and services, it’s a good timefor me to move on and focus on somenew creative ventures of my own.”

The Media Centre board recognisesthe enormous contribution Teo has

made to the company in the past threeyears.

Lee Corner, who chairs the board ofdirectors, said: “There is an energy, anenthusiasm and a can-do feel that hasrevitalised our company.

“Teo has managed a period of con-siderable behind-the-scenes changewith skill and care and developed adynamic team to ensure the MediaCentre maintains its high quality ser-vice for creative businesses in theregion.

“And he has firmly reconnected TheMedia Centre with its creative con-stituency through the Salon events,partnership with Huddersfield Con-temporary Music Festival andever-increasing connections with theuniversity.

“We are extremely sorry to see him

go, but equally proud of all he hasachieved.”

During Mr Greenstreet’s time at theMedia Centre, capacity has increasedby 70%. He also oversaw the openingof the landmark £5m Friendly Streetbuilding – the greenest business centrebuilding in the UK – which wasopened by the Queen in May, 2007.

During 2009, the Media Centre willbe developing its new Connect service,a by-the-hour hot desk facility com-plete with host and support pro-gramme.

The Media Centre is set to bringmany more businesses and jobs to thearea. More than 100 creative firms, inareas such as web design, games devel-opment, music and film production,are based in the complex across fourbuildings on Northumberland Street.

A CAMPAIGN alerting work-ers to their national minimumwage rights has reached thou-sands of people across York-shire, official figures show.

The Government’s It’s YourCall campaign reached 8,390people in Yorkshire following aseries of roadshows, includingones in Huddersfield, Leeds andSheffield.

The campaign was launchedby Business Secretary LordMandelson last November,reached 2,023 people in Hud-dersfield, 3,579 in Leeds and2,788 in Sheffield during cam-paign visits in December.UK-wide more than 50,000people were alerted by the cam-paign.

Rosie Winterton, Minister forYorkshire, said: "The nationalminimum wage has had a hugeand lasting impact on the lives ofmillions of UK workers over thelast 10 years. About 108,000people in Yorkshire and theHumber are better off after thelatest increase in the rate.

“This campaign gave some ofthe most vulnerable workers inthe region the face to face adviceand support they needed, help-ing them to take action wherenecessary.

“Anyone who may not bereceiving the national minimumwage or just wants advice aboutthe rules should call the helplineon 0845 6000678.”

n MOVING ON: Teo Greenstreet, who is leaving the Media Centre to pursue other interests

Commercial Bankinghsbc.com/commercial

Your business successis out there. Is your bank?Call Jill Hague on 08455 848702Email [email protected] in to Huddersfield andHalifax Commercial Centre

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

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byHenryk Zientek

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Recycled paper made up75.5% of the raw material

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FINANCIAL REPORT

PromptpaymentNORTHERN firms are among the bestfor getting paid on time, a survey hasrevealed.

Figures from Bacs Payment SchemeLtd, the company behind Direct Debitand Bacs Direct Credit, show that 54% offirms in the region have experienced latepayments at some time – compared with anational average of 57%.

Companies in the region are owed anaverage of £21,000 by tardy payers againsta national average of £38,000 and anaverage of £69,000 for firms in the Mid-lands.

Small and medium-sized firms in thenorth said they had to wauiit an average of26.9 days beyond agreed payment termsfor invoices to be settled. The nationalaverage is 41.6 days.

The survey showed that 21% of firms inthe north asked for payment on receipt ofinvoice while 9% speficied payment withinseven days and 15% within 14 days.

Some 46% requested payment no laterthan 30 days or the end of the month afterreceipt of invoice. Some 7% stated 60days.

A FINANCIAL services company hasexpanded its premises – despite thetough trading climate.

Shelley-based Robertson Baxter Ser-vices has created a specialised clientsuite and boardroom at its PenistoneRoad offices.

Director Greg Robertson said themove had been essential, adding: “Wework very closely with the professionalcommunity in the local area and neededthe additional space to conduct largemeetings and host business lunches inour own premises.

“The client suite works superbly wellfor more informal sessions and meet-ings with fewer people.”

Fellow director Stephen Baxter said:“The current economic and investmentclimate has resulted in an awful lot ofpeople questioning their existingarrangements and advisers.

“We focus on the individual, tailoringan approach and developing a long-termrelationship with each and every one ofour clients.

“Now we have a dedicated client suite,we are able to welcome both new andexisting clients into a home-from-homeenvironment, ensuring they feel com-fortable discussing their financial cir-cumstances, which allows us to developa keen understanding of their needs.”

Firms forecast falling pricesMORE than half of small firms in Yorkshirethink that the costs of running a business willremain flat or reduce over the course of thisyear, said a survey.

Some 56% of firms took that view in thepoll by Bank of Scotland. With operatingcosts staying relatively flat, 54% of smallbusiness bosses in Yorkshire expect to freezeprices for customers during 2009 – although12% expect to impose a 5%-plus increase.

Pricing stability among most small firms

reflects a belief among nearly 70% of ownersthat inflation will either flatten out ordecrease over the course of the year.

Some 29% of firms said such a period ofdeflation would provide a stimulus for theirbusinesses.

Some62% expect commercial propertyprices to continue falling while 65% expect tohold salaries at the same level or decreasethem over the year.

n COMFORT ZONE: Michael Woodhead (right), chairman of Robertson BaxterFinancial Services, qwith (from left) Stephen Baxter, Liz Townend, Lucy Woodhead andGreg Robertson

Start-up figures soardespite the downturnLOOMING recession has failed todeter people in Kirklees from start-ing their own business, a survey hasrevealed.

Figures from Barclays Bank showthat 3,200 people took the plunge toset up in business across the districtlast year – up from 2,800 in 2007.

That compares with 2,500start-ups logged in Kirklees during2003 – when the economic climatewas far more benign.

The bank said the increase waspartly due to more women becomingentrepreneurs and people usingredundancy pay to set up.

Barclays said the number of

start-ups across Yorkshire totalled34,600 in 2008 compared with32,200 the previous year.

Amanda Shepherd, Yorkshireregional drector for Barclays LocalBusiness, said: “These figures mayseem surprising given the currenteconomic climate.

“There could be a number ofreasons for the robust start-up mar-ket, including individuals beingmade redundant having opted forself-employment.

“We should also remember thatthere are always opportunities, evenin more challenging times."

The figures showed the number of

women-only start-ups in Yorkshirerose by almost 17% to exceed 6,900in 2008 compared to 5,900 in 2007.Male-only start-ups rose by 7%year-on-year.

Said Ms Shepherd: “It appearswomen more than men are buckingthe downturn by starting a busi-ness.

“We know from our Let’s TalkStarting in Business seminars thatalmost half of people attending arewomen – which is a notably highpercentage considering men stillmake up the majority of allstart-ups.”

n FIGURES: AmandaShepherd, of Barclays

IS there light at the end of the tunnel?A series of surveys suggest there may be a

glimmer of hope amid the gloom for Bri-tain’s hard-pressed businesses.

But we shouldn’t get too carried away – asthey also stress that the UK economy has along way to go before we can talk aboutrecession turning into recovery.

A survey among chief financial officersand group finance directors by businessadvisory firm Deloitte discovered that creditconditions remained tough – with an over-whelming majority still rating credit asexpensive and hard to obtain. but it alsoreported an improvement in sentiment fromthe extreme lows registered in the secondhalf of 2008.

Deloitte concluded: “This quarter’s sur-vey is certainly downbeat, but it does pointto a marginally improved situation com-pared to the second half of 2008.”

The CBI’s Access to Finance Survey saidfirms were less negative in March than theywere in February about the availability ofnew and existing credit.

It found: “Fewer firms said in March thatthe availability of credit had got worse forthem in the past three months than did so inFebruary or January. The view that the paceof deterioration is easing correlates withwhat businesses are starting to tell us on theground.”

And the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Com-merce detected grounds for “very cautious”optimism in its latest survey of memberfirms.

Whether you are looking at buying a new business or sellingyour existing one, there are plenty of things to think aboutincluding:• Valuation range and structuring options• Financing arrangements• Tax-planning ideasFor truly independent adviceand guidance, backed by yearsof experience, please contactAm Hayer orDavid ButterworthTel: 01484 423691email: [email protected]

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KIRKLEES

LAW firm Chadwick Lawrence is supportingYorkshire cricketer Joe Sayers by sponsoring his batfor the pre-season UAE tour and the forthcoming2009 domestic season.Chadwick Lawrence, which has offices inHuddersfield and Dewsbury, has had a relationshipwith the Leeds-based player for some time – havingworked with him on setting upwww.twentytwogroup.com, a network to channelopportunities for professional cricketers.Joe, a left-handed batsman playing in the top order,recorded several priceless innings in trickyconditions last season.His string of impressive scores including acareer-best 187 against Kent.

Said Joe: “I’m delighted to be associated withChadwick Lawrence. Not only does it promoteYorkshire as a region, which is passionate aboutcricket, but also spreads the word about the pridethat Yorkshire people have in the area.“I’ve found that Chadwick Lawrence’s comprehensiveservice offering is perfect for someone with a busylife. It's a firm I trust to offer sound advice and meetany legal requirements I may have now or in thefuture.”Senior partner Jeremy Garside said: “YorkshireCounty Cricket is an excellent example of sport andbusiness working together to benefit the area.“Chadwick Lawrence is pleased to be playing a partand we’re rooting for Joe in the forthcoming season!”

n COUNTY CATCH: Yorkshire batsman Joe Sayers (right) with (from left) Neil Wilson, Michael Crook and JeremyGarside, of Chadwick Lawrence

Office interiorsfirm celebratesA COMPANY supplying office interiors isset to celebrate its 10th anniversary bystaging an exhibition in Huddersfield.

Transform Office Interiors, based at FourHorseshoes Yard, Market Street, Milns-bridge, will hold the event on Thursday,May 14, at the Laund Hill ConferenceCentre, Salendine Nook.

Bob Lynch, managing director, said: “Weare taking this opportunity to thank ourloyal customers for their continued supportover the past 10 years.

“We are also showing how the companyhas grown and expanded into the refurbish-ment side as well as furniture.

“The exhibition will give businessesacross Yorkshire the opportunity to come

along – under no obligation – to seeexamples and speak to the experts fromsome of the country’s leading interior man-ufacturers.”

Products covered will include office fur-niture, seating, partitioning, electrical,flooring, design, finance, wall coverings,fabrics and blinds.”

Mr Lynch said: “All the staff at Trans-form Office Interiors look forward to meet-ing existing customers – and having anopportunity to form new business relation-ships to continue to take the company fromstrength to strength.”

For more information on the exhibition,email [email protected]

TO ORDER CALL US ON

0845 026 7407OR VISIT WWW.HUDDERSFIELD-PRINTING.COM

HUDDERSFIELD

OFFICE INTERIORS EXHIBITION

LAUND HILL CONFERENCE CENTRE,SALENDINE NOOK,

HUDDERSFIELD, HD3 3XFon Thursday 14th May, 2009 between

9am and 4pmFree admission and on-site parking - everyone welcome

Host: Transform Office Interiors. Tel: 01484 652000

• Furniture• Seating• Demountable

Partitioning• Suspended

Ceilings• Electrical

• Fullrefurbishment/Plans andDesign

• Floor Coverings• Wall Coverings• Blinds

Financial MOT

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an MOT for our cars – a quick

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS

Roger Pearson is a project managerat P2 Technologies Ltd, Lockwood

Roger Pearson

TECHTALK

HUDDER S FIELD MPBarry Sheerman has calledfor a “marked improvement”in the quality of careersadvice about apprentice-ships.The Labour MP was speak-ing as co-chairman of theSkills Commission, which hasconcluded a six-monthinquiry into how the Govern-ment’s apprenticeship isworking.Its report , Progress ionThrough Apprentceships,found that too few people ofall academic abilities weretaking up apprenticeshipsdue to “inadequate” careersadvice.I t s a i d a m a j o r i s s u euncovered by the inquiry was

that careers guidance profes-sionals did not understandlocal skills shortages oremployer demand for appren-tices.It recommended that careersadvisers regularly vis i temployers to improve theirknowledge about local labourmarkets.The inquiry also reported alack of knowledge aboutapprent icesh ips amongteachers.It is now calling for theNational Apprenticeship Ser-vice and the Training andDevelopment Agency toSchools to work together toimprove teachers’ under-standing of the opportunitiesoffered by apprenticeships.

Mr Sheerman said: “Thereneeds to be a markedimprovement in the quality ofcareers advice and guidanceabout apprenticeships.“This would encourage moreyoung people of all academicabilities to consider anapprenticeship and help toachieve the Government’sgoal of one in five youngpeople enrolled on an appren-ticeship in the next decade.“We want to ensure thelong-term prosperity andcontinued success of appren-ticeships.“And during this time of eco-nomic downturn, securingvocational reoutes for youngpople in ever more import-ant.”

Liversedge firmlands AXA dealA LIVERSEDGE company is cel-ebrating a double success afterwinning a national contract andappointing more staff.

Working Media Print, formedin December, 2007, has won acontract with AXA as well asappointing a new director and aclient services manager.

Lee Evans joins the business asdirector having previously workedon print accounts, including Wil-liam Hill, BUPA, HM Revenue &Customs and Tesco.

Kate Chapman is WMP’s newclient services manager, havingworked on brands such as VeraWang and Amanda Wakeley.

The appointments signalWMP’s intention to capture morenational contracts in the forth-coming months.

Managing director Ian Bryansaid: “Despite the current eco-nomic climate, we are continuingto grow due to us having anexperienced team in place that canmeet client demands and deliverour customers a level of unrivalledquality and service.

“We have improved our teamfurther with the appointment ofLee and Kate as we look to movethe business forward even furtherin 2009.”

Said Mr Bryan: “It’s the for-

mula for success to work along-side like-minded individuals thatare passionate about what we aretrying to achieve and are commit-ted to the company.

“Printing represents one ofbusiness’ top 10 expenses and wehelp our clients to manage this byproviding results above theirexpectations while remainingwithin their budgets.”

Among its other successes,WMP won the contract to printthe region’s fastest-growingmagazine On: Lifestyle last year,which is also based in Liv-ersedge.

n RECRUITS: Working Media Print managing director Ian Bryan (centre) is joined with new recruits KateChapman and Lee Evans

n CONCERN: HuddersfieldMP Barry Sheerman, who isalso co-chairman of the SkillsCommission

FOR legal, professional and otherfirms seeking new business in a tur-

bulent economy – and also facingincreased competition – ensuring yourentire team is pulling in the same direc-tion could be the key to fighting yourway out of the recession.

But are your staff really workingtogether?

According to a recent BT Business /YouGov survey of more than 3,700 employ-ees, only 19% prefer to work with colleaguesand more than 10% admitting becomingmore insular.

This is, BT say, the consequence of anatural instinct for workers to protect theirown positions when times are tough.

But, perversely for those individuals, thiscould have the opposite effect as in manyorganisations their efficiency and productiv-ity rely on teamwork to lubricate and drivethe business process forwards.

Sounds like a human resources problem,but the personnel condition can be a symp-tom of a business process issue.

Solving that process issue may not only bean essential part of surviving the downturn,but will also put you in pole position forgrowth as the green shoots of recovery breakground.

Technology is a key enabler of team collab-oration and of efficient, scalable businessprocesses (perhaps “doing more with less”)particularly under the present economic pres-sure.

The need to share data and resources is atthe heart of every computer network.

We know from many development projectsthat bringing employees closer to the flow ofbusiness and eliminating “islands” of inform-ation from the process can have a massiveimpact on efficiency and performance.

Extracting the key data items that employ-ees need and employing workflow techniquesto automate important and repetitive pro-cesses makes it easier and more intuitive forstaff to work as part of a team.

At the same time, it becomes almostimpossible for the protectionism reported inthe survey to occur as all resources becomepart of a tightly focused organisation.

Another pressure facing professional ser-vices, particularly legal firms in the not toodistant future (if it is not already) is the“commoditisation” of services.

If this is on your doorstep, then looking ata new delivery model such as eCommerceenabled by an an efficient, automated busi-ness process such as above may not be achoice but a necessity.

This close coupling of business process,management reporting and staff productivityimproves agility and enables swift, informedbusiness decision for all but particularly infast moving volume work types.

NORTHERN Foodshas strengthened itsbalance sheet bycompleting a £250mdebt refinancing deal.The Leeds-basedgroup, which hasdeferred a decisionon the future of itsFox’s Biscuits factoryat Batley, hasnegotiated the financefacility from a bankingsyndicate led byRoyal Bank ofScotland.The packagerefinances Northern’sexisting debt andprovides the groupwith continuedsupport until 2012.Northern Foodsemploys more than10,000 staff andoperates at 21 sitesaround the UK. Itsupplies biscuits,frozen pizzas, soups,puddings, salads andsandwiches tocustomers includingMarks & Spencer,Morrisons and Asda.Northern Foods saidit was undertaking a“rigorous” evaluationof previouslyannounced plans tomerge its Fox’sBiscuits factories atBatley and Uttoxeter,Staffordshire – andbuild a new £40mfactory at one orother of the sites.The 1,200 employeesat Batley site will nowhave to wait anotheryear before findingout whether or nottheir plant is to close.

KIRKLEES

Mark Dalton

Mark Dalton is an associate directorat Wilby Ltd, based in Halifax

RISKYBUSINESSRISKYBUSINESS

A COMPANY helping to keep track ofpeople and goods is expanding opera-tions following a six-figure funding deal.

Active Tagging Ltd, based at Elland,has secured £150,000 from the RoyalBank of Scotland under the EnterpriseFinance Guarantee Scheme.

The company, formed in 2007, pro-duces electronic tagging equipmentunder the XTAG name and the associatedsoftware to use it.

XTAG combines electronic radio-emit-ting tags and a series of digital radioreceivers to keep track of personnel,assets and stock. It also allows for controlof electronically-locked doors and barri-ers.

Active Tagging employs 10 people andhas annual turnover of £500,000. Over thenext three years, it has plans to increasesales further and create another 10 jobs.

The £150,000 funding package wasprovided as part of the Government’sEnterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.

BRANDING and design agency 10Associates has appointed anotherYorkshire firm to raise its profile acrossthe region’s business community.Ilkley-based Jeni Cropper & Associateshas been appointed by Bradley-based10 Associates to the agency’sdedication to its own clients’ brandsand its focus on quality.Said Jeni: “There are not many designcompanies that will go to such lengths

to ensure they turn out suchspectacular work for clients – or thatactually employ a public relationsconsultant to tell the world. It will be areal pleasure to work with the brandspecialists.”JCA, now in its seventh year, is workingto ensure its clients achieve a highprofile and more importantly a positiveimpact on their business.

Prudent waysare paying offYORKSHIRE’S top firms are reapingthe rewards for being careful withmoney, a survey has revealed.

A report by business advisers BDOStoy Hayward showed that the region’sleading 150 companies had benefitedduring the downturn from typical Tykeprudence, low debt ratios – or gearing –and aversion to risky ventures.

The report said the companies –including 10 based in Kirklees andCalderdale – lifted profits after tax by20% and revenues by 3% in 2008.

And it added: “While Yorkshire is farfrom immune to the effects of recession,companies will be relatively well placedfor the current troubles and the turmoilahead.”

Ian Beaumont, Huddersfield-bornmanaging partner at BDO in Leeds,said: “Yorkshire is a region renownedfor it’s financial prudence and last yearwe revealed that a tight focus on operat-ing efficiency had put the top 150 in aleaner and meaner position to face therigours ahead.

“The latest Yorkshire Report rein-forces this as strict cost control andrelatively low gearing has blunted therecession’s early impact on the Group’slatest results.”

He added: “The conditions we arecurrently experiencing are proving to befar more challenging than we could haveimagined, particularly for the region’sfinancial sector.

“But Yorkshire’s businesses are still inrelatively good shape as a result of theirproven discipline, shown in tight costcontrol, prudent gearing and focus oncash generation – all of which have never

been more important for business sur-vival.”

The report said Yorkshire firms hadtaken a “distinctly conservative stance”on debt – allowing the top 150 to enter aperiod of deep uncertainty with a muchstronger capital base.

The companies had also maximisedcsh reserves by cutting costs and increas-ing operational efficiency.

Said Mr Beaumont: “Access to cashand low gearing put a number of theregion’s companies in a strong positionto make selective acquisitions andinvestments that could provide a com-petitive advantage.”

The report said it was difficult topredict when the “first global recessionof the information age” would end.

It said current estimates suggestedthat more than 32,000 UK firms couldgo to the wall this year – with the failurerate not peaking until 2010.

Said Mr Beaumont said: “Our fore-casts confirm that it will be a long hauland Yorkshire will not be immune fromthe effects.

“Identifying key products, customersand channels – and focusing on them –should be part of any survival strategyfor a business, regardless of size.

“Being clear about what areas stillneed investment and which can bedeferred is important, as is developing arange of scenarios that reflect the impactof the downturn on your business andalternative strategies.

“Above all, the winners will be flexibleand able to adapt quickly to changingcircumstances.”

n REGIONAL REPORT: Ian Beaumont (centre), managing partner at BDO StoyHayward, with chairman David Jackson (left) and finance director Richard Twigg

MY company has taken a cour-ageous business decision to ban

the use of mobile phones when driv-ing.

This ban goes beyond the legal require-ments prohibiting the use of hand heldmobile phones. My company rule is thatemployees must not make or receive callswhen driving, even when hands free equip-ment is available. The instruction is to divertcalls and then to collect message and makecalls when the driver is parked in a safeplace.

The decision was made after taking intoaccount the balance between the adverseaffects on business resulting from driversnot being in touch at all times against therisks associated with distraction caused bymaking and receiving calls whilst driving.

This decision was given more justifica-tion following the recent prosecution of acompany director for careless driving. Shecrashed into another vehicle causing afatality while using a hands-free mobilephone. She was found not guilty of the moreserious charge of causing death by danger-ous driving, but was fined £2,000 and givena 12-month driving ban for the lesseroffence.

If your company feels unable to take asimilar decision to mine, it is important thatessential steps are taken to protect drivers:

Remind drivers of the legal penalties(three penalty points and £60 fine) and thedangers associated with using handheldphones when driving

Provide good quality hands free equip-ment to reduce the risk of employees usinghand held equipment

Give drivers training in the increasedrisks associated with the distraction causedby using the telephone when driving. Whohasn’t driven on “auto pilot” and can’tremember long stretches of a journey?

Implement ways of working that reducethe need to contact company drivers andinstruct drivers to take regular breaks onlong journeys when they can also makeurgent calls.

Phone calls are not the only source ofdistraction to drivers. A survey frommoneysupermarket.com found that chan-ging stations on the radio, eating anddrinking while driving and children, pas-sengers and pets are all regular causes ofdriver distraction. The Highway Code alsolists loud music, reading maps and smokingas sources of distraction.

It is predicted that fatalities involvingat-work drivers will lead to corporate man-slaughter prosecutions for companies andprosecutions of individual managers underother health and safety legislation.

Work-related road deaths account forabout 1,000 deaths each year, making it thelargest cause of occupational fatalities inthe country.

Now may be the time for directors andsenior managers with responsibility forcompany drivers, or health and safety ingeneral, to review their company’s policies.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS

Water firm hails for innovationYORKSHIRE Water has been hailed as oneof the region’s most innovative firms.

The Bradford-based company and itspartner, Brinker Water, were among thewinners of Yorkshire Forward’s Innovator09 Awards.

They were presented with the product,process and service innovation award for thedevelopment of pioneering technology tech-nique which ienables burst pipes to berepaired from the inside without the need todig up the road.

The category, sponsored by the CBI,attracted 250 entries.

The Innovator 09 Awards recognise com-panies and individuals in Yorkshire emra-cing new technology to help develop newproducts, serfvices and ways of working.

Mark Penny, acting director of the waterbusiness unit at Yorkshire Water’, said: “Thisis a fantastic accolade for the team and forYorkshire Water and Brinker in the develop-ment of industry leading innovation.”

Dr Alan Lowdon, managing director of

Brinker Water, said: “The award is a superbendorsement of the joint efforts of Brinkerand Yorkshire Water in bringing innovativetechnology to the UK water industry.

“It also highlights the vision that York-shire Water has shown in seeking to improveoperational performance and customer ser-vice through the transfer of technology fromother sectors. Our partnership is movingahead very positively. We look forward tocontinued success.”

A NEW initiative tohelp more than 80,000business clients battlerecession has beenlaunched by BarclaysCommercial Bank.

The bank’s Turningthe Corner programmecombines practicalguidance, workshops,industry discussionsand networking eventsto offer business own-ers and managers theskills needed to meetc h a l l e n g e s a n di d e n t i f y p o t e n t i a lopportunities.

D a v i d M a r k s ,Barclays CommercialBank managing dir-ector, said: “Turningthe Corner is a naturalstep towards improv-ing the way the banksupports businesses,par t icu la r ly whenc o m b i n e d w i t hincreased businesslending and support ofGovernment initiativessuch as the EnterpriseFinance Guarantee.

“We are acute lyaware of our respons-ibilities in the currentenvironment and weremain committed tocreating and maintain-ing a platform for ourclients to succeed.

“Of course, thismeans continuing tolend, which we are wellplaced to do as weremain well capitalisedwith a strong balancesheet. We are alsoworking closely withthe Government tosuppor t init iativessuch as the EFG.

“But it also meansa d d i n g v a l u e b yproviding practicalguidance and informa-tion – and connectingb u s i n e s s e s w i t hlike-minded peers sothey can share learn-ing on how to adapttheir businesses to thespecific challenges ofoperating in a reces-sion.”

Go to www.barclayscommercial.com

Concorde flies infor new takeoverA CONSORTIUM of businessmen have followed uptheir takeover of a Brighouse firm with another acquis-ition.

Bosses at software systems supplier ConcordeInformatics Ltd have bought Morley-based IT businessPhase CRS Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

Phase CRS, which was formed in 1985, is awell-established IT service and solutions company withmore than 100 contract clients across the UK. Itemploys 24 people and has a turnover of almost £2m.

Both acquisitions have been made by Concorde ExcelHoldings Ltd, a new company set up by the consor-tium.

As part of the latest deal Phase CRS owner andmanaging director Chris Walker becomes a shareholderin Concorde Excel Holdings and takes on the role oftechnical operations director at Concorde Informat-ics.

Colin Meakin, who set up the consortium and is nowConcorde Informatics managing director, said the twobusinesses fitted together well.

He said: “Phase has an excellent client base anddifferent geographic strengths from Concorde Inform-atics, which will stretch our service coverage to allcorners of the UK. Also, it will give us better buyingpower and better prices for our clients.”

Said Mr Meakin: “I’ve known Chris for more than 30years, since we worked together at Systime, and I’mdelighted we have been able to complete the deal.”

Said Mr Walker: “Having started Phase CRS nearly25 years ago I’m proud of the company’s success and

now we can benefit from becoming part of a biggerentity. I’m very excited at the prospect of helping Colinto develop the Concorde Informatics business.”

Marcus Armstrong, of Leeds commercial law firmLupton Fawcett, and James White, of accountantsBrown Butler, were Concorde Excel Holdings’ adviserson the acquisition.

The deal comes less than a month after Mr Meakinand a group of local businessmen including BarryRoberts, the founder and former chief executive of ICMComputer Group plc, acquired Concorde Informaticsin a buy in management buy-out deal.

Said Mr Meakin: “Discussions between ConcordeInformatics and Phase began several months ago, butthe new ownership consortium was the key to complet-ing the deal.

“We are committed to growing the business and willbe looking for more acquisition opportunities in thefuture.”

Concorde Informatics Ltd was established in 1985.Long-term clients include Yorkshire Water, YorkshireCounty Cricket Club, Jewsons Ltd, Birkby-based Mar-shalls plc, Rugby league club Bradford Bulls andseveral police authorities around the UK.

The company also has two specialist divisions offer-ing software systems specifically for the moor vehicleand public safety sectors.

Concorde Excel Holdings now employs more than 70people and expects turnover to grow to £9m over thecourse of this year.

A COMMERCIAL law firm haslaunched a specialist propertylitigation team to help landlords anddevelopers as the recession bites.The team at Leeds-based LuptonFawcett is headed by director IanCoupland and includes seniorassociate James Naylor and seniorsolicitor Hayden Glynn.Said Mr Coupland: “There is no doubtthat in the current economic climatemany landlords face going to courtmore often to protect their interests.For example, more tenants aredefaulting and there are moredisputes over issues such asdilapidations.”Mr Coupland has worked with manyprominent property clients. Hepreviously worked in the City ofLondon and for major Leeds citycentre firms.

n ACQUISITIVE: Colin Meakin (right) and Barry Roberts (second left), of Concorde Informatics, with MarcusArmstrong (left), of commercial law firm Lupton Fawcett, and Barry Roberts, of accountancy firm Brown Butler

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KIRKLEES

A TRAINEE at a Mirfield firm hasbeen recognised for his achieve-ments.

Jack Bottomley, who works forGB Air Control Ltd, was winner ofthe refrigeration and air condition-ing engineer award level 2 at theYorkshire regional heats of the

annual competition run by theHeating and Ventilating Contract-ors’ Association.

He was among 12 trainees toreceived trophies at an award cere-mony staged at the Cedar CourtHotel, Bradford.

The awards were presented by

HVCA president Gareth Vaughanand David Brown, commercial dir-ector of Pegler Yorkshire, whichsponsored the prizes.

Other trainees receiving awardscome from firms in Bradford,Leeds, Keighley and York.

MARKETING agencyNourish has landedthree new clients in thespace of just weeks.Nourish, created inpartnership withElland-based directmail business The LickGroup, has secureddeals with RAMTracking, TomChambers and Cheque& Prawn.RAM Tracking is one ofthe leading vehicletracking solutionproviders in the UK –employing 34 people atits headquarters inLeeds and servicing aclient base of 2000.Nourish has beenretained to undertakePR activity for them togenerate exposure andpromote RAM’sproducts.Tom Chambers – aleading manufacturersand suppliers of birdfeed, bird care andgarden products in theUK – has come onboard as a full serviceclient. Nourishmanaging director PaulHarker said serviceswould include design,e-commerce, PR andadvertising, brandidentity andbusiness-to-businesspublications.Making up the trio isthe UK’s largestpawnbroker Cheque &Pawn, a brand ofAlbemarle & Bond.Nourish created amailer givingcustomers the chanceto win £1,000 in a freeprize draw or receiveup to 50% discount ontheir next chequecashing transaction.

Sales take offafter brandingA DESIGN and branding agencyin Huddersfield is celebrating –after helping one of its clientsdouble their turnover.

The Engine Room, based at theMedia Centre, NorthumberlandStreet, was handed a brief to helpInterior Surfaces broaden itspotential market by appealing tolarger commercial customers.

Interior Surfaces designs, manu-factures and install work surfacesand specialist surfaces for clientsincluding Pizza Hut, Center Parcs,York University and SheffieldChildren's Hospital, as well as anumber of smaller clients.

Following a re-brand by TheEngine Room, Sheffield-basedInterior Surfaces doubled itsturnover from £1.2m to £2.4m injust two years – three years aheadof target judged by the company’sown five-year plan.

Interior Surfaces, formed morethan 20 years ago, was finding itdifficult to win key contracts withthe larger building firms – despitebeing highly skilled within its sec-tor.

The firm took part in a DesignWorks event run by the DesignCouncil, which highlighted theneed for them to chane their image– and reposition themselves in the

market.The Engine Room were one of

the three design agencies invited topitch for the work and went on towin the contract.

The agency based brandingaround Interior Surfaces’ corevales – experience, knowledge, reli-ability and ability to take onlarge-scale jobs. The message wasrolled out across the firm’s website,stationery and literature.

The Engine Room also designedtactical marketing campaignsaimed at raising awareness in theindustry.

Since the re-brand, Interior Sur-faces’ turnover doubled within twoyears to £2.4m – with the companywinning new contracts with largerclients, entering new amrkets andbroadening its customer base toachieve several high profile jobs.

Interior Surfaces are now work-ing directly with designers, archi-tects and interior specialists. Beforethe re-brand, the company neverhad chance to work this close withend-users.

Zoe Dickinson, Interior Sur-faces sales manager, said: “TheEngine Room have exceeded ourexpectation of working with adesign agency. They have managedthis by taking an interest in our

business and always listening toour concerns.

“They have a genuinely bespokeapproach and have come up withsolutions to fit our needs precisely.The figures speak for themselves.The Engine Room have brought asense of what we are able to achieveto Interior Surfaces, backed up bysolid design ideas which have trans-formed our image, not just extern-ally, but within the business too.”

The Engine Room is continuingto work with Interior Surfaces onfurther raising brand awareness inthe interior design market, includ-ing the possibility of launchingInterior Surfaces’ first product. Anew website aimed at domesticcustomers is planned.

Darren Evans, creative directorof The Engine Room, said: “Wehave thoroughly enjoyed workingwith the guys at Interior Surfacesover the last couple of years.

“They have embraced the designprocess so much that they havespotted other opportunities, result-ing in an almost complete changeof market direction. We aredelighted with the results that havebeen achieved and are looking for-ward to working together infuture.”

n BRANDED: Darren Evans (left), creative director of The Engine Room, with (from left) Zoe Dickinson andJim Mackenzie, of Interior Surfaces, and Mark Edwards, of The Engine Room

A BUILDING group withoperations in Ellandhas landed a £20mcontract – its biggestever deal.Southdale Group,which comprisesHalifax-based socialhousing businessSouthdale Homes andElland-based privatedeveloper Circa, haswon the contract toprovide 196 houses forTees Valley HousingAssociation at threesites in York.The work will involvedemolishing 100council-owned “prefab”bungalows andreplacing them withnew bungalows, flatsand mews houses aswell as a range ofcommunal facilities.

Moneysavingways toprotectthe UKclimateFREE advice is being made available tohelp Kirklees firms improve their environ-mental performance – and save money.

An environmental business adviser hasbeen drafted in to help companies cutpollution, meet environmental legislationand reduce their costs.

The new post has been created by theGreen Business Network with fundingfrom Kirklees Council.

In addition, the GBN can provide a freeenvironmental audit that gives firms sug-gestions for saving money by reducingenergy, transport and water use.

It has also developed a series of envir-onmental “toolkits” for firms in manufac-turing, retailing, hospitality, offices andcare homes.

The toolkits include ideas for pollutionprevention, waste management, energyand water use, transport, “green” pur-chasing and training as well as details ofthe major environmental legislationfacing business, where to get further helpand funding and a list of local recyclers.

GBN also runs Pennine Pack, a pack-aging compliance scheme to help firmsbased along the M62 corridor find waysto reduce the amount of packaging.

Membership fees go towards establish-ing local recycling schemes in preferenceto exporting packaging waste to develop-ing countries.

Jim Porter, environmental businessadviser at the GBN, said: “We work witha range of businesses across Kirklees tosupport them to improve energy efficiency– which often also saves them money.

“We also offer businesses free help tocalculate their carbon footprint andimplement an Environmental Manage-ment System through a new businessnetwork.”

Contact [email protected] orcall 01422 316661.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS

TOWN striker Andy Booth helped boostbusiness for Batleys cash-and-carry.

The popular player joined guestsattending a major event for theDeighton-based company’s customersand suppliers.

All 19 Batleys cash-and-carry depotsare staging the event, called Make aDifference, over the next few weeks tohighlight its range of products and spe-

cial offers.The event at the Leeds Road depot

included tastings, free samples andraffles for prizes including a signed Townshirt.

Members of the 60-strong staff alsowore Town shirts to highlight the com-pany’s commercial links to the club.Town mascot Terry the Terrier was also inattendance.

Confidencebooster forIT companyTHE boss of an IT company hopes its recentsuccess will bring hope to other firms strug-gling in the economic downturn.

Dean Spencer, managing director of Eitex,which is based at Bradford Road, Batley, saidthe firm has just won a substantial newcontract – to upgrade the systems of Leedssolicitors Howard Cohen and Co and CramerRichards Solicitors following their recentmerger.

Mr Spencer said: “For such a big firm tochoose us is very reassuring and it forms agood foundation for our business which helpsus to move forward.

“We are constantly reminded of the reces-sion and for us to get a contract like this at thistime puts our minds at rest and shows us thatpeople are still trading and carrying on asnormal.

“I think it also offers some encouragementto other businesses who may be struggling.”

The firm has also won contracts withWinteringham Haulage and kitchen manufac-turer Martin Moore.

Eitex, formerly Expert Systems, has come along way since Mr Spencer built it from asmall back bedroom 11 years ago.

He started by helping people with computerproblems, but when the workload piled up hedecided to focus on IT support. Eitex is now athriving company, providing support andmaintaining systems for firms UK-wide.

n POSITIVE: Dean Spencer, managingdirector of Batley-based IT firm Eitex

n TOWN TEAM: Footballer Andy Booth with daughter Hermoine and staff andcustomers of Batleys

TWO innovation experts from Silicon Valleywill address delegates from 12 European citiesat an event in Yorkshire.

Herman Gyr and Lazlo Gyorffy, two of thefigures behind a host of developments such asthe computer mouse, high definition TV androbotics for surgery, will be in Yorkshire totrain a team of innovation coaches to workwith businesses across the continent.

Their visit to Doncaster will take place onJune 15 to 19.

The European Union-funded project bringstogether delegates from Huddersfield andDoncaster with Nantes, Aachen, Stuttgart,Eindhoven, Dublin, Cardiff and Birmingham.

Huddersfield and Doncaster will be repres-ented by the Creative Industries DevelopmentAgency, based at the Media Centre, Northum-berland Street.

Their training will complement the work ofBusiness Link and regional developmentagency Yorkshire Forward in promoting innov-ative thinking among firms.

CIDA works with partners in public andprivate sectors to develop creative organisa-tions. For details about the Doncaster event gotto www.cida.org

WITH the global credit crunchtaking a stranglehold on

national trade, many purchasersand suppliers of goods will beeager to incorporate protectiveclauses in the contracts they enterinto.

Suppliers in particular should ensurethat they have a valid Retention of Title(RoT) clause. If not, suppliers will beunable to recover the goods they havedelivered if payment is not made.

What does it do? Usually ownership togoods passes on delivery. With an RoTclause, however, the supplier retains own-ership to goods until certain obligations,such as payment, are fulfilled.

In practical application, the supplierhas the benefit of protection againstinsolvency: if the purchaser goes intoliquidation or administration before thegoods are paid for, then the supplier canclaim the goods back.

Following the judgment in the recentcase of P4 Litd v Unite Integrated Solu-tions plc, an effective RoT clause should:be incorporated into the contract;provide that title to the goods is retainedby the seller until it has received fullpayment for the goods; specify whichevents will trigger the seller’s right todemand immediate payment for thegoods and repossess them; give the sellerthe right to enter the buyer's premises inorder to repossess the goods. The sellercould commit a trespass if no such provi-sion is included.

Even if a supplier is able to establishthat their terms and conditions containedan RoT clause, there still might be cir-cumstances where it might not be effect-ive. For example:

Unidentifiable goods – it is good prac-tice to ensure supplied goods are identifi-able through the use of bar codes andserial numbers, so removal proceedswithout undue disruption and thereforelikely that a supplier’s RoT claim willsucceed

Timing – where heavy goods ie plantand machinery are to become annexed tothe premises; despite repossession rights,timing will be crucial to whether or notthis is successful

Ongoing supply - creates difficulty inallocating goods to a specific invoice. Thecontract should contain an “all monies”clause (which provides that title passesonly when the account between theparties is paid off), the RoT clause mightstill be effective.

In the current climate there will bescenarios where a purchaser becomesinsolvent and unless the requisite legaland practical elements outlined above arepresent, it will prove difficult for thesupplier to successfully establish that heowns the goods and therefore be above torecover them instead of payment.

Peter Matthews is a member of thecommercial law team at Austin

Kemp Solicitors

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KIRKLEES

Chemicalsgroup addsto its remitA GROUP promoting theinterests of Yorkshire’schemical companies hastapped into a new contract –to provide support for theregion’s water industry.

Yo rk s h i re C h e m i c a lFocus, based in Hudders-field, will also be responsiblefor the Water IndustryForum until March, 2011,under the terms of the con-tract agreed with regionaldevelopment agency York-shire Forward.

The water forum, whichhas been running for nearlytwo years, will continue tosupport the water and wastewater treatment sector inYorkshire with informationand advice as well as helpingmembers to identify busi-ness opportunities.

The form, which is led bya representative body ofsuppliers, manufacturers,technica l exper t s andregional universities, hasmore than 115 memberorganisations.

Jim Farmery, assistant

director of innovation atYorkshire Forward, said:“We are certain that withYCF at the helm, the forumwill continue to grow fromstrength to strength.

“It will help our region’sbusinesses expand by offer-ing support and advice bothfor UK expansion and toexploit overseas opportunit-ies.”

He said: “We encouragefirms within the sector tojoin and benefit from theadvice, support and net-working opportunities itoffers.

“In these times of eco-nomic difficulty, it is moreimportant than ever that ini-tiatives such as these arethere to support and bringindustries together, toweather the storm and comeout stronger when theupturn comes.”

Yo rk s h i re C h e m i c a lFocus is a not-for-profitmembership organisationthat supports Yorkshire’s£2.2bn chemical sector.

Clare Quartermaine is founder andmanaging director of QT Creative

MARKETINGMATTERSClare Quartermaine

I CAN’T believe Easter has come andgone already. The year is speeding by

and have I suddenly realised that myquarterly marketing review is upon me.

I make sure our reviews are timed tocoincide with the “marketing” calendar. Itwas an editor of a well-known nationalnewspaper who reminded me of the definitedips in readership during the year.

It is to this that marketing activities shouldbe planned around – although this couldn’tapply to all business models of course. Thedips being the best time to consolidate, restand review. I’m always lecturing my clientsabout this and we look at altering ouractivities dependant on what’s going onaround us. Is it time for a product promotion,a bit of regional advertising, or shall we investin some networking activities and e-flyers forthe time being?

There is always a dip in decision-makingaround this time. It’s not just because ofholidays, its also due, of course, to financialyear endings. March is a busy month forspending what remains of the budget, sosome experience a boost in sales then. Butmany businesses are waiting with great hopeand anticipation for what will happen aroundnow when budgets are reviewed and set forthe coming year. This of course affects con-sumers as well. Will we start to see somerecovery and renewed confidence in the mar-ket place?

One thing’s for sure, it will be no detrimentfor you to get to the front of that bread queueanyway! Adjusting your marketing activitiesthroughout the year is the best way to get themost from the calendar and, of course, we allneed to keep our eye on what’s happening inthe economy.

Summer – from the end of June to Augustis when most people are thinking of holi-days.They tend to prefer to start new plans,any buying and new projects in Septemberand October. It’s a state of mind that fewmanage to escape, so September is a keymonth to aim for from a marketing perspect-ive because people are starting to get enthusi-astic again.

With budget and bad news being theconversation points of the moment, the smallbusiness can really hold its own in these timesand setting up marketing actions around thedips is essential. Small to medium-sized busi-ness are flexible enough to change marketingstrategy quickly and implement changes andany new activities more easily. You reallydon’t have to spend a lot to market effectively.It’s all about looking at what is happening ingeneral and reflecting the mood of themoment.

Right now, people are pulling together inways we haven’t seen recently. This is theperfect time to forge new business relation-ships, collaborations and networks. Turnyour customers into your advocates! It’s alsoa great time for PR – people want good newsand promotion through the story is a fant-astic way to raise profile.

So get your pen (or your keyboard) out andstart shouting about your business! (ThinkWellworths…it’s working for them..).

BUSINESS bosses don’t like being preachedto – but that hasn’t stopped Brighouseentrepreneur Carl Hopkins from delivering asermon or two!

Now the award-winning marketing spe-cialist has produced a book, The GospelAccording to Uncle Carl – a collection ofhard-hitting question-and-answer pieces,which he first penned for marketing industrymagazine The Drum.

The articles provide straight-talking prac-tical advice for businesses – combiningreal-life anecdotes, commonsense sugges-tions and humorous observations to get themessage across. The answers are deliveredwith tongue firmly in cheek.

In his introduction, Carl comments: “Theletters are from agency owners and agencystaff. Therefore, this collection has been puttogether to adorn every agency toilet in theland – so that in those dark quiet cubiclesand moments of contemplation, you mayrealise that we are not alone. There are otherswho are as confused, bemused and ******up as you are.”

The questions posed to “Uncle Carl”cover such wide-ranging topics as officeromances, office politics, unpopular bosses,mis-use of the internet during office hours,dealing with difficult clients and the advant-ages of opening “satellite” offices “downsouth”.

Carl’s marketing and business experiencespans 25 years and includes a starring role inChannel 4’s Secret Millionairem where hespent 10 days in the north-east colliery townof Easington – and ended up giving £42,000of his own money to worthwhile causes.

He began his career in 1984 when hejoined Judith Donovan Associates. He rosethrough the ranks and took over the businessin 2000 as managing director following asuccessful management buy-out.

From 2000 to 2005, Carl expanded theagency from 48 to 75 staff, taking turnoverfrom £9.6m to £19.4m and tripling itsprofits.

In 2003, he co-ordinated the takeover ofWarrington-based advertising and PRagency Blueprint and became chairman in2005 until the sale of the busniness two years

later.He now runs kloog, a business “angel”

service where he shares some of the experi-ences garnered during his career with otherbusinesses and offers services including busi-ness audits, business investment, mentoringand workshops in areas such as sales, mar-keting and creativity.

Carl has also launched a number ofw e b - b a s e d b u s i n e s s e s , i n c l u d i n gJumbleAid.com and agencybods.co.uk

He is also the only male director ofForward Ladies, a not-for-profit networkingorganisation supporting more than 3,500female entrepreneurs.

Carl is also an ambassador for Make YourMark, a national campaign to foster enter-prise among young people.

n READING MATTER: Carl Hopkins pictured with his new book 'The Gospel Accordingto Uncle Carl'

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ON THE MOVE

WAXMAN Ceramics hasappointed Joe Pape asdeputy managing dir-ector.

Mr Pape, who waspreviously operationsdirector, joined theElland-based firm morethan 25 years ago as itsfirst full-time employee.

From its origins as aspecialist distributor ofmosaics, Waxman hasgrown to become anational distributor oftiles, operating in con-tract and retail markets.

The firm has 70 staffand distributes from asite in Bristol as well asits Elland head office.

Chairman and man-aging director RichardWaxman said: “Joe hasbeen the bedrock of ourtile operations and wehave all come to rely onhis skills and calmapproach.”

Landmark forlegal practiceA WEST Yorkshirelaw firm has becomeone of the first in theUK to appo in t anon-solicitor partner.

Switalskis SolicitorsLLP, which has officesin Huddersfield, Dews-bury, Wakefield, Brad-ford and Leeds, tookadvantage of new legis-lation to appoint prac-t ice director JohnDurkan as managingpartner.

M r D u r k a n ’ sa p p o i n t m e n t w a sapproved by the Soli-c i t o r s Re g u l at i o nAuthority under theLegal Services Act. Italso makes him eligibleto become a member ofSwitalskis Solicitors

LLP – the equivalent ina limited liability part-nership of a partner.

A q u a l i f i e dchartered accountantwith years of experi-ence advis ing lawfirms, Mr Durkanjoined the specialistlegal aid firm in 2001.

Since joining Swital-skis, Mr Durkan hasplayed a key role indr iv ing the f ir m’sexpansion. In 2001, thefirm had just one officein Wakefield and about20 staff. It now hasmore than 150 staffand has offices at NewStreet in Huddersfield,Bond Street in Dews-bury and at Bradford,Leeds and Halifax.

YORKSHIRE Tourist Boardhas appointed Gary Verity as itspermanent chief executive.

Mr Verity (right), 44, who hasbeen working with the board onan interim basis since October,has a business background inmarketing, customer service andthe financial sector.

He was previously managingdirector of Johnsons Cleanersand group managing director ofProntaprint and Kall Kwik.

Mr Verity, who grew up in

Leeds and now has a sheep farmin North Yorkshire, said: “I amdelighted to accept the challengeof raising the region's profile toachieve our ambition of makingYorkshire a top must visit inter-national destination.

“For a Yorkshire businessmanpassionate about the region, thisis a dream job. What better thanto be in charge of marketing theplace you love, especially whenthat place has such a lot tooffer?”

Directorfor PwCACCOUNTANCY firmPricewaterhouseCoopersLLP has promoted Chris-topher Rooney to dir-e c t o r i n t h e f i r m ’sbusiness recovery servicesteam.

Mr Rooney (above) hasbeen a key member of thefirm's advisory practicesince joining the firmalmost three years agoand is a specialist in busi-ness recovery services.

He began his careerwith Andersen 11 yearsago, since when he hasworked with financiallystressed and distressedbusinesses and their fun-ders and shareholdersacross a wide range ofsectors.

He has most recentlybeen involved with theadministration of TheOfficers Club which res-ulted in a significant pro-portion of the businessand assets of the com-pany being sold to TimeC1215 Ltd, securing thecontinued employment ofmore than 1,000 mem-bers of staff across theUK.

Marketing role for SinéadLAW firm Ramsdens Solicitors hasappointed Sinéad Sopala as marketingmanager.

Ms Sopala (left), who has previouslyheld similar posts at Leeds law firm LeviSolicitors and accountancy companyKPMG.

In her new role, she will be respons-ible for all aspects of Ramsdens’ mar-keting activity, including branding,internal and external communications,public relations and developing its mar-keting strategy.

She said: “Ramsdens has alreadyachieved a lot in marketing terms.

However, it is keen to grow and I believeI can help to step up its marketingefforts and achieve its objectives.”

Managing partner Paul Joyce said:“We have been looking for some timefor the right person to lead our market-ing efforts and to help us to continue toraise awareness of the legal services weprovide. I am delighted that we haveappointed such an experienced anddedicated professional.”

Ramsdens has its principal office inEdgerton and five branch offices inHuddersfield, Halifax, Holmfirth,Slaithwaite and Elland.

National post forregion chairman

A YORKSHIRE small businessleader has been voted into a topnational role.

Tony Cherry, Yorkshire and Hum-ber policy chairman for the Federa-tion of Small Businesses, has beenappointed vice-chairman of theorganisation which has 215,000members and is Britain’s biggest busi-ness membership body.

Mr Cherry (right) remains chair-man the FSB Yorkshire and Humberpolicy committee, which representsthe interests of 16,000 member busi-nesses throughout the region, includ-ing Kirklees.

He will also continue to lobby onlocal issues.

Sheffield businessman TonyCherry, who has run bakery, graphic

design and retail ventures, also chairsthe FSB South Yorkshire branch.

He helped to create five years agoafter leading a merger the Sheffieldbranch, Rotherham, Barnsley andDoncaster branches.

“Being national vice-chairmanthrough the current recession willpose many challenges, but I have beenastounded by the support FSB mem-bers have given our recent cam-paigns,” said Mr Cherry.

“Whatever difficulties the eco-nomic downturn might present, weshall continue banging the drum forsmall enterprises and providingeffective and innovative ways to over-come the barriers facing small enter-prises.”

RICHARD Marshallhas been appointedmanaging director ofcommercial law firmLupton Fawcett.

M r M a r s h a l lsuceeds Kevin Ems-ley, who is steppingdown after 16 yearsin the role. The twomen have workedclosely together overthe last 17 years toh e l p e s t a b l i s hLeeds-based LuptonFawcett in the top tierof commercial lawfirms in Yorkshire.

An insolvency law-yer and charteredmarketer, Mr Marshalljoined Lupton Faw-cett in 1992 as a part-ner and head ofinsolvency and cor-porate recovery.

W i t h i n t h r e em o n t h s , h e w a sappointed to themanagement boardwith responsibilityfor developing andimplementing a mar-keting strategy forthe firm.

Led by Mr Emsley,L u p t o n F a w c e t tbecame firmly estab-lished as one of thetop 20 law firms inYorkshire. It was oneof the first law firmsin the region to gainInvestor in Peoplestatus and the LexcelQuality Mark.

Mr Emsley, wil lcontinue as chair-man and financialdirector of LuptonFawcett.

n PICKED: TonyCherry, vice-chairman ofthe Federation ot SmallBusinesses

n DESK WORK: Kevin Emsley (left) andRichard Marshall, of Lupton Fawcett

CHARTERED accountancy firm Wat-son Buckle has appointed Mark Wil-cock as a partner.

Mr Wilcock (pictured) began hisaccountancy career as a 17-year-oldtrainee with the Bradford-based firm,where he later qualified.

He gained further experience atanother local independent account-ancy practice, working his way up tomanager and then at top 10 account-ancy firm Grant Thornton, where he

was an audit manager in the Leedsoffice for four years.

His return to Watson Buckle in 2005gave him increased opportunities towork with small and medium-sizedenterprises. He was appointed anassociate at the practice in 2007.

A Fellow of the Institute ofChartered Accountants in Englandand Wales, he has experience in auditand advising owner-managers.

KIRKLEES

Colin Barratt is tax partner atWheawill and Sudworth, chartered

accountants, Huddersfield

TAXTALK

Colin Barratt

A BANK with a branch in Huddersfield hastopped a popularity poll.

Swedish bank Handelsbanken, which hasoffices at Pennine Business Park, Bradley, wasranked first for customer satisfaction in theEPSI Rating. The survey is the first of its kind inthe UK and is based on surveys already used tobenchmark banks in 11 other Euroepan coun-tries.

Survey co-ordinator Prof Jan Eklof said:“This survey shows that customer satisfactionwith Handelsbanken is significantly higher thanthe industry average and that the bank’s custom-ers are also very loyal.

“This separates Handelsbanken from otherspecially analysed banks in the study and depictsresults which are consistent with surveys under-taken in other countries.”

Handelsbanken, which employs four staff atBradley, was ranked top by both its business and

personal customers in terms of satisfaction andfor customer loyalty.

The survey follows a strong set of results fromthe bank last month when it reported recordprofits on the back of strong demand for itsservices.

The Huddersfield branch was the 54th UKbranch to open in November, 2008, and is nowone of 62 across England, Wales and Scotland.

Tony Jones, branch manager at Huddersfield,said the survey demonstrates the success ofHandelsbanken’s “old fashioned” approach tobanking.

“We believe in growing our business in a safeand considered way with the emphasis on a verypersonal relationship with individuals and busi-nesses,” he said. “The fact that we’re a largeSwedish bank with stable finances and a goodcredit rating by international rating agenciesalso gives comfort to our customers.”

Happy returnsfor haulage firmA HAULAGE company in Huddersfield hasrenewed a three-year contract with one of the UK’sleading greeting card retailers.

Netherton-based The Pink Link has sealed thedeal with Wakefield-based company Card Factory,which is headed by Huddersfield Town chair-man-elect Dean Hoyle.

The new deal will see four new trailers on theroad in Card Factory’s navy blue and yellow liverytogether with The Pink Link Ltd’s trademarkbranding on the pink tractor units.

The move comes shortly after Card Factoryexpanded its business with the takeover of 76 CardWarehouse outlets. Card Factory has 480 storesnationwide, including a Card Factory shop at thePack Horse Centre and a Card Warehouse site atthe Piazza in Huddersfield..

Mr Hoyle said the takeover had safeguarded 500jobs with the potential to create a further 400 posts– making Card Factory the fastest-growing cardretailerhas 480 stores nationwide.

The Spen Valley-based businessman said:“When we first joined forces with The Pink Link

Ltd back in 2004, we had 80 stores. This figure hasnow risen to 480 nationwide.

“The Pink Link Ltd continues to manage theincrease in demand from us in a very professionalmanner and provides exemplary customer servicewhich far exceeds the norm. 2009 is going to be avery exciting year for us and we are delighted to beworking with a local, like-minded business.”

Richard Allen, managing director of The PinkLink Ltd, said: “This move publicises our partner-ship with Card Factory on a national scale.”

He said renewal of the contract demonstrated thebenefits of the The Pink Link’s membership of thePalletways (UK) Ltd national distribution networkof hauliers.

The Pink Link Ltd, formed in 1981 and employ-ing about 50 people, is widely recognised by itsbrightly coloured fleet of vehicles.

The company was among the winners of theHuddersfield Examiner Business Awards lastNovember, when it was recognised for its commit-ment to fundraising for charity.

YORKSHIRE Water hasbeen appointed byTesco to lead a waterefficiency project asmany of its stores.The £388,000 projectwill see waterconservation expertsfrom Bradford-basedYorkshire Watercarrying out deatiledwater audits athundreds of stores toidentify areas wherepotential savings couldbe made.A spokeswoman forYorkshire Water said:“With energy costsrising year on year,water conservation isbecoming a keyconcern for many largebusinesses as theyspot opportunitieswhere they can makeefficiencies.“Yorkshire Watertechnicians havealready visited 71Tesco stores acrossthe country and earlyestimates suggest thework has the potentialto save the retailer155m litres of watereach year – theequivalent of more than64 Olympic swimmingpools.The project involvesthe water conservationengineers carrying outa detailed inspection ofthe stores to identifyany faulty fittings oritems using waterinefficiently such astoilets, passiveinfra-red urinals orstorage tanks. Anyinefficiencies arerectified by theengineer – resulting inimmediate watersavings for Tesco.The engineer thencarries out a basicleakage test at the siteby shutting off the stoptap in store andmonitoring the flowlevels to identify anyleakage in the system.If a flow is detected atthis stage, a leakagedetection team will usestate-of-the-art leakagedetection equipment topinpoint its location. Ifa leak is detected, arepair crew fix theaffected section ofpipe.Yorkshire Water projectmanager SimonRedfern said: “Workingwith a multi-sitecustomer like Tesco ona project of this scaleallows us to use someof the leading-edgetechnology we haveavailable to help ourbusiness customersbecome more waterefficient.”

n COLOUR CARD: Richard Allen (left), managing director of The Pink Link Ltd and Dean Hoyle,chairman of Card Factory and chairman-elect of Huddersfield Town, celebrate their three-year contractdeal next to the brand new livery

MUCH has been written about the con-troversial expenses claims made by

some MPs for the use of their homes onstate affairs.

I thought this would be an ideal opportunityto look at what their self-employed constitu-ents may be able to claim for tax purposes forusing their home for business.

An expense will be allowable where it isincurred wholly and exclusively for the purposeof the business and in the context of the homethis will mean that when part of the home isbeing used for the business then that is the soleuse for that part at that time.

It does not mean that part of the home mustbe permanently used for business purposes andnot used for any other purpose at any othertime nor must the business expenditure beseparately billed.

Expenses that can be claimed fall into twocategories, fixed costs and running costs.

Fixed costs include council tax, mortgageinterest payments (not capital repayments),insurance, water rates, general repairs andrent.

Running costs include cleaning, heat, lightand power, telephone (line rental & callcharges) and broadband costs.

The amount of tax allowable expenses thatcan be claimed by both sole traders andpartners will depend on the extent and natureof the business activities carried on at homeand it will be necessary to apportion these costson the basis of the area occupied for business,how long the area is used in the business and, inthe case of running costs, the amounts used forbusiness.

As an example, an individual works fromhome and uses their living room from 9am to1pm for business and from 6pm until 10pm it isused by the family.

The house has four rooms, excluding hall-ways and bathrooms. Fixed costs total £8,000and total running costs are £2,000 per year.

The allowable fixed cost will be £333 – £8,000x 1/4 (number of rooms used) x 4/24 (businessuse of room).

The allowable running costs will be £250 –£2,000 x 1/4 x 4/8 (business use against privateuse of the room).

Where there is only minor use of the home,for example writing up the business records athome, the Revenue has confirmed that they willaccept a reasonable estimate without detailedenquiry.

Otherwise, extensive records will need to bekept when making such a claim, particularly asthe new penalty regime for inaccuracies incontained in tax returns is now in force.

It is also important not to overlook thecapital gains tax implications of using thehome for business.

If a room is set aside exclusively for businesspurposes, then the principal private residenceexemption will not apply to the gain arising onthis part of the house once the house is sold.

Where there is both business and private useof the room, the exemption will not be jeopard-ised.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

IF you’re a parent looking for topquality education, then take alook at what two of the localindependent schools have tooffer.

The last term has been verybusy for pupils at Huddersfield

Grammar School. Fundraisingevents took place for Red Nose Day,Lepra and Sing for Life, raising inexcess of £1,800.

The Pre-Preparatory School stagedtheir spring drama production, thePreparatory School enjoyed swim-

ming galas, success in the Yorkshire Cross Coun-try races and Senior School Year 11 pupils havebeen working hard for the final preparations forGCSE examinations.

Scholarship results were announced followingthe entrance examinations and individual suc-cesses across the school were celebrated at end ofterm assemblies, bringing to a close a veryproductive and successful term’s work at Hud-dersfield Grammar.

Rehearsals have also been at full tempo for theforthcoming Festival of Music, Speech andDrama to be held at the School from May 14 to21 which welcomes external entries from allperformers. Photo (left) shows music students.

Our Open Day is on Thursday May 21 2009, an

opportunity for visitors to the schoolto experience a typical school day,meet pupils, staff and gain an insightinto a local school for children agedthree to 16 years which provides highquality education, whilst encour-aging children to achieve their max-imum potential.

Rastrick Independent Schooloffers opportunities to the widercommunity by offering scholarships,awards and bursaries.

Welcome to Rastrick IndependentSchool. This is your invitation toapply for our scholarship scheme.

Rastrick is a co-educational dayschool from birth to 16-years offer-ing extended facilities all the yearround from 7.30 am. until 6.30 pm.,especially considering the needs ofworking parents.

Caring and educating the indi-vidual, Rastrick is a family schooland boasts excellent relationshipswith parents.

Rastrick is a centre of excellencefor children of all abilities; 100% pass

rate five or more GCSE A*-C gradesincluding Mathematics and English.Voted one of the Top PreparatorySchools in the Country two previousyears running, this year, ‘The Times’placed us 68th nationally. We offer afull National Curriculum with excel-lent SATs results.

We have a 14 year 100% pass rateto grammar schools and excellentOfsted and ISA Inspection reports.

Annually our children excel incompetitions and challenges: Speechand Drama, Dance, Singing, Music,Sports, The Mathematical Challengeand The World Class Tests are toname but a few. Examinations aretaken in most extra-curricular activ-ities, and the school does recogniseand rejoice in those activities whichchildren enjoy at home.

Applications for scholarships forfive to 14 year olds are welcomed.

Visit www.rastrickschool.co.ukPlease contact the headmistress

for a personal visit. Telephone 01484400344.

Doug digs in with onlinebusiness directory serviceA NEW online business directory has beenlaunched – and users across Kirklees are alreadydigging it!

LocalMole.co.uk allows businesses to markettheir services to thousands of HuddersfieldExaminer users – and millions more people acrossparent company Trinity Mirror’s north-westregion.

The new service enables businesses to benefitfrom the group’s online and in-print promotionalpower – via brands they know and trust.

The site is accessible under the Loc-alMole.co.uk brand – which features cartooncharacter Doug – and through Trinity Mirror’sregional network of 200 local and hyperlocalwebsites, enabling businesses listed to reach 5mregional users.

The new service, which was launched at the end

of March, offers additional benefits to currentdirectories such as Yell and Thomson at a morecompetitive rate.

At launch, LocalMole.co.uk contains a data-base of more than 1.8m business listings featuringbusiness names, addresses, contact informationand maps.

Diane Briggs, ...., said: “Even prior to launch,we had one client who had cancelled their listingwith a competitor because they preferred a brandthey knew and trusted.”

Users of the directory can search for businessesbased on a range of criteria – who, what and where– and can also rate and review their experiences.

Businesses can enhance their LocalMole.co.uklisting with a fully-featured microsite, offeringcustomers more information including up to sixphotographs, two special offers and company

information. They can include a 1,250-worddescription and be listed in five different categor-ies for no extra charge. Advertisers can also seetheir listings appear as text links across contextu-ally relevant Trinity Mirror websites – offeringadded-value promotion to local audiences.

Chris Bunyan, digital director of Trinity MirrorRegionals said: “Increasingly, consumers turn tothe internet as the place to find information onlocal businesses and services.

“By combining detailed business informationwith user ratings and reviews – supported bypowerful online and in-paper promotion – we aimto develop LocalMole.co.uk into an indispensableservice for local audiences and advertisers.”

The site was developed with business dataprovider Central Index and web design agencyStormID.

n DIG THIS: Doug, the cartooncharacter helping businesses find theirway to the LocalMole.co.uk directory

Huddersfield Grammar

Welcome to our

School

Open Day

For more information please contact 01484 424549or visit www.huddersfield-grammarschool.co.uk

We would like to invite you to our Open Day on Thursday 21st May 2009 from9.30am to 11.30am and 2.00pm to 3.30pm. This is an opportunity to meet pupilsand staff and to tour the School. Huddersfield Grammar is an independent schoolfor boys and girls aged 3-16 years.

Huddersfield Grammar SchoolRoyds Mount, Luck Lane, MarshHuddersfield HD1 4QXT 01484 424549 F 01484 531835E [email protected]

Worriedaboutthe 11+Examinations?Concerned you cannot afford IndependentEducation or find an alternative suitable school?Rastrick Independent School is here to help...• Recent three quarter million pound investment has created additional

places, enabling us to reach out the the wider community• Assistance, Bursaries & Scholarships

Why choose us?• 100% Pass Rate for 14 consecutive years• 100% Pass Rate at least 5 GCSE A*-C grades

including Mathematics and English• Whatever your child’s age 5-14 years you can apply for help• Preparation for life

‘One of Britain’s top schools’.Ranked 68th Nationally – The Times

Contact the Headmistress for an informal chat, We are here to listen.

Rastrick Independent SchoolOgden Lane, Rastrick, Brighouse, HD6 3HF

Tel. 01484 [email protected] www.rastrickschool.co.uk

KIRKLEES

n LORRY PARK: Bedfords Transport is doing its bit to help the environment and save money

TWELVE railway sta-tions on the East CoastMain Line have beenawarded a national secur-ity rating.

The stations, all ofwhich are managed byNational Express EastCoast, have won SecureStations status from theBritish Transport Policeand the Department forTransport.

The scheme is a Gov-ernment-backed initiat-ive aimed at improvingpersonal security at rail-w a y s t a t i o n s . T h enational scheme coversall rail and undergroundnetworks policed by theBTP.

It sets out good prac-tice standards and recog-nises stations which workwith the transport policeand other local partnersto implement securitymeasures.

The 12 stations whichnow have Secure Stationsstatus include Newcastle,Durham, York, Wake-field Westgate, Don-caster, Grantham andPeterborough.

A BIRSTALL-based logisticscompany is taking steps tosafeguard the environment andreduce its carbon footprint.Bedfords Transport sets itsdrivers a monthlymiles-per-gallon target toencourage economical driving –reducing fuel consumption andcutting emissions.The company then publishes adrivers’ league table each monthto show who is consistentlyhitting their targets.Bedfords is also dropping theheight of headboards on itstriple deck fleet – making themmore aerodynamic and – it ishoped – giving an additional onemile per gallon to each of thevehicles towing them.Bedfords is also makingchanges in the office bylaunching a “Switch it Off”scheme across the business.The company is asking allemployees to make a consciouseffort to turn off all electricalappliances at the end of eachworking day.The company will then monitorenergy and money saved by thisexercise.Philip Lockwood, commercialdirector of Bedfords, said:“We’re keen to do our bit for theenvironment and educate ouremployees about the little thingswe can all do which add up tomake positives.“We’ll continue looking forways, however small, that willmake a difference.”Bedfords is a major shareholderand founder member of thePalletFORCE network and offersnationwide distribution forsingle pallets through todouble-deck articulated vehicleloads. The firm has about 130employees and a fleet of morethan 70 vehicles.

Neil Wilson is an Employment Lawyerat Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

Neil Wilson

EMPLOYERS'BRIEFING

THE Employment Appeals Tribunal hasconfirmed that a dismissal may be fair

where an employee inappropriately pro-motes his religious beliefs.

In the instant case, a social worker was spe-cifically prohibited by his local council employerfrom promoting any religious beliefs whileundertaking duties. The employee, who is acommitted Christian, was trying to promoteChristianity to a number of service users. Hesupposedly handed out bibles to some clients andthere were significant concerns that he did notrecognise the need for professional boundaries.

It was made clear in this case that the reasonfor the dismissal was not the religious beliefs butthe inappropriate promotion of the beliefs. Thetribunal gave significant weight to the type of jobthe employee was doing and the fact that his jobbrought him into contact with vulnerablepeople.

Care should be taken whenever religiousbeliefs are at issue because of the protection theyare afforded by anti-discrimination legislation.

Meanwhile, a survey carried out by the Institu-tion of Occupational Safety and Health hasconcluded that 44% of employees admit tofeeling more pressure because of the recession.

Nearly two-thirds of these workers cite jobinsecurity as the reason for the pressure andmany state that increased responsibilities andreduced resources are also contributing factors.

A spokesman from IOSH stated: “The worryfrom these findings is that more people aregetting trapped by the pressures of living to workrather than working to live. Too much prolongedpressure is not good. Being overly pressured canaffect an individual’s efficiency, frustrate team-work and on a personal level it can impact onfamily life.”

Importantly, IOSH has said: “Keeping work-ers happy, healthy and in work is very important– it can help stop your company from going tothe wall.”

So whatever difficulties employers are facing itis important not to overlook the impact which isbeing felt by staff as though suffering from stressand excessive pressure may develop work relatedillnesses, in turn often causing prolonged absenceproblems for companies.

In a another study, an insurance companydiscovered that more than 150,000 UK-basedemployees filed 4.98m expenses clamis in 2008 –with the total bill estimated at £8.3bn.

Worryingly, about £2bn was wrongly claimedas expenses and approved by managers last year.The figures are apparently made up from£1.08bn in fraudulent claims with the rest spenton items not covered by companies expensepolicies – including massages, passport renewalsand bribes.

Most of the fraudulent amounts claimed resul-ted from overstating the real expense involved. Inmany cases, mileage claims did not have anaccompanying receipt and about a third of staffin the study stated that they thought it wasacceptable to exaggerate the size of theirexpenses.

The suggested advice must be to monitorexpenses claims closely and demand that accom-panying receipts are provided before any claim ispaid out. Employers may wish to put a policy inplace stating what is acceptable to claim and anyfinancial limits that are imposed on such items asovernight accommodation or meal allowances.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

BANKER'SBLOG

Jill Hague

Jill Hague is Head of CommercialBanking for HSBC in Huddersfield

CONFRONTED with the present reces-sion, many companies are looking

overseas to replace falling sales in theirtraditional markets.

However, exporters can face significant riskswhen they undertake international trade, notleast the fear of delay or non-payment and aforeign exchange market which has movedfaster in the last 12 months than most canremember

Delays in payment can create major problemsfor businesses but can be avoided by selectingthe correct payment mechanism and financeoption.

Invoice finance: With the increasing demandfor open account sales around Europe and theUSA, the modern method of reliable cash flowmanagement is factoring.

Invoice finance helps you to trade from aposition of financial strength and offers export-ers a comprehensive financial package thatincludes receivables financing, credit protec-tion, sales ledger management and collection.

l Documentary credits: The recent economicclimate has also seen a return to favour of one ofthe more traditional payment mechanisms, thedocumentary credit.

A documentary credit is an undertaking by abank, on behalf of an importer, that the pay-ment will be made for goods and servicessupplied by an exporter.

The exporter, however, must ensure that allthe terms and conditions in the credit are met tosecure payment. Documentary credits can alsobe used by the exporter as a means of gainingfinance before the payment date agreed in theconditions.

The added security of documentary creditsmeans that banks are often prepared to advancefunds before the due date in the knowledge thatan agreement to pay from the importers bankexists.

l Foreign exchange risks: Recent movementsin the foreign exchange markets have been largeenough to turn an international transactionwith a comfortable profit into a scramble tobreakeven for companies who have not man-aged their exchange risks.

Businesses are recommended to identify theirexposure and implement a hedging strategy.Banks offer several methods of fixed and flex-ible hedging products which can be tailored tosuit all situations.

Although exporting may seem fraught withrisks, there is help available and companies areencouraged to speak about these issues to theirbank and the local UKTI office.

A FUNERAL home in Huddersfieldhas taken delivery of a brand newfleet of vehicles.

Highfield Funeral Service hasintroduced a new Mercedes-Benzhearse and two limousines to thebusiness at Trinity Street.

C o m m u n i t y m a n a g e r L e eFagan-D’Oris said: “We have alwaysprided ourselves on our distinctivefleet of Rolls-Royces, but we neededto move forward with the times.”

He said the new vehicles offeredmore space while each of the blacklimousines could seat seven pas-sengers rather than four as in thefirm’s grey-coloured Rolls-RoyceSilver Shadows.

Said Lee: “A more modern fleetwas necessary to maintain our highstandards without compromising onthe quality of sevrice offered tobereaved families at their time ofneed.

“This enables them to travel instyle with the added benefit of cli-mate control/air conditioning, fullleather upholstery and extra legroom for passengers.”

Highfield is part of Dignity CaringFuneral Services.

LONG-STANDING customer EricCooper was asked to perform the open-ing ceremony for a new-look store inMarsden.

War veteran Mr Cooper, 92, who worehis medals for the occasion, cut theribbon to open the Your Local BootsPharmacy at the former Alliance Phar-macy, at Peel Street.

Those attending the event includedMr Cooper’s granddaughter, MarieCooper, who works as a pharmacyassistant at the store.

The revamp follows the merger ofBoots and Alliance Pharmacy to createone of the UK’s biggest retailers in thehealthcare sector.

The Marsden store is one of morethan 700 to be renamed across thecountry.

Improvements include a wide rangeof beauty products, a bright new layoutand private consultation areas.

Customers can also join BootsHealth Club and receive personalisedadvice and information on a range ofhealth topics.

Store manager Bongi Moyo said:“Marsden will see the very best of

community pharmacy in its new store.“We are delighted to be able to offer

even better healthcare services and afantastic new range of products.”

n CEREMONY: Boots Pharmacy Marsden is opened by Eric Cooper centre withmanager Bongi Moyo (centre right) and staff

Agency lights up for ASHA HUDDERSFIELD firm specialising inIT systems has appointed a Holmfirthdesign and marketing agency to help raiseits profile over the next 12 months.

ASH Projects has signed up Worthing-ton Brown to provide strategic marketingsupport and advice.

Alison Ashurst, managing director ofASH Projects, said: “We were looking foran agency that we knew we could workclosely with, as we need them to get toknow the company inside out and feel thatthey are part of the team.

“Throughout the pitch process, Wor-thington Brown showed that they wouldwork alongside us by completing variousworkshops and departmental meetings inorder to understand our processes andcreate a marketing strategy personalisedto our needs and requirements.”

Worthington Brown has been appoin-ted to determine the marketing strategy ofASH Projects for 2009/2010, setting out afull marketing plan and showing how itwill then be implemented across all func-tions of the business.

Neil Worthington, managing director ofWorthington Brown, said: “We areextremely pleased to announce this con-tract win and we are looking forward toworking with all the team at ASH Pro-jects.

“At Worthington Brown, our aim is toensure that the work we provide is specific-ally tailored to a client’s needs and require-ments. This means that we alwaysfamiliarise ourselves with a client beforepresuming to understand them – and to dothis requires going back to the shopfloorto educate ourselves about their business

and its aims and objectives.”Worthington Brown will work with

ASH Projects to develop a strategy forsales growth over the coming 12 monthsand beyond by finding ways to attract newclients in addition to re-invigorating exist-ing customers.

The strategy will include a series of “360discovery” workshops to evaluate allaspects of the business and identify keyobjectives for the coming year.

These will then provide the basis of themarketing strategy and plan, which willresult in brand updates and an overhaul ofthe company’s website.

Said Mr Worthington: “Many of ourSME clients are now taking advantage ofthis new service in order to fine tune theirmarketing and business strategies in lightof the current economic climate.”

n MOTOR POWER: Highfield Funeral Service personnel (from left) Jason Allan, Skye Knightand Lee Fagan-D'oris with the new vehicles

Company news to report?Contact Henryk Zientekon 01484 437766 oremail henryk.zientek@examiner .co.uk

KIRKLEES

HUNDREDS ofYorkshire firms havebeen helped by aground-breaking £10mtraining and skillsinitiative, a report hasrevealed.The study into theLearning and SkillsCouncil’s Skills Fundby economicdevelopment expertsEKOS has found thatthe investment intalent has resulted in aboost of up to £34.5mto the regionaleconomy.This has resulted morethan 120 jobs beingcreated in WestYorkshire, with 4,200people engaged ontraining programmesand 680 businessesoffered support.The Skills Fund was apilot project launchedby the LSC in 2007 toprovide £10m insupport and access totraining for employersin West and NorthYorkshire and theHumber. The trainingis delivered through anetwork of providers,colleges andgovernment agencies.During the ninemonths the SkillsFund was in place,about £4.5m wasinvested in the WestYorkshire region.The EKOS studyshowed that more than450 people werehelped intoemployment, resultingin a boost to theregional economy ofup to £34.5m. About1,200 businesses –many of which hadnever accessedsupport before – tookadvantage of thescheme.About 5,000employees enrolled onshort courses and3,000 benefited frominformation, adviceand guidance offeredby providers.Businesses reportedimprovements in areasincluding IT and healthand safety, as well asmanagement andleadership areas.Ebrahim Dockrat,skills developmentdirector for the LSC inYorkshire and theHumber, said: “Thisresearch shows clearlythat skills are crucialto business successand it is veryencouraging to see thepositive results of theLSC’s investmentthrough the SkillsFund.”

A PRINTING company withan eye for detail is the latestwinner of a monthly businessaward.

Huddersfield-based Brook &Learoyd Ltd impressed thejudges in the Business of theMonth Award run by law firmEaton Smith and the Mid York-shire Chamber of Commerce.

B r o o k & L e a r o y d i srenowned for a huge range ofprinted products – from a singlebusiness card to a full colourbrochure, an annual report to amailshot.

Using the latest technologythey can fold that leaflet to anysize and shape – even down to

the smallest, scientifically pos-sible size.

The company also offers the“Peel4More Leaflet Label Sys-tem” – used on many topbrands of products, from bat-teries to motor oil and shampooto cheese.

Brook & Learoyd was presen-ted with the award in recogni-tion of its long history inprinting, its track record fordeveloping products and apply-ing “know how” for today’sbusiness needs.

Managing director Tim Par-kin said: “As an employer in thetown for over 160 years, we aredelighted to have joined the

previous winners of the Busi-ness of the Month Awards.

“The Peel4More LeafletL ab e l S y s t e m h a s b e e ndeveloped over the past eightyears with a lot of hard workand dedication by not justmyself and my brother Dan buta lot of behind-the-scenesemployees who truly deserve toshare a part of this award.”

The Eaton Smith Business ofthe Month Award is open to allcompanies in Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. Go towww.eatonsmith.co.uk or con-tact Ian Greenwood, of EatonSmith, on 01484 821389.

n PRINT RUN: John Royle (third right), partner at Eaton Smith, presents the award to Tim Parkin(second right) and Dan Parkin (right), of Brook & Learoyd Ltd, with (from left) Steven Leigh, of theMid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Paul Greetham, of Huddersfield University; and JasonMetcalfe, of Hanson Chartered Surveyors

John knows allthe right steps!BROADCASTER John Sargentrecounted stories from his days as apolitical correspondent – and hisexploits on TV’s Strictly Come Dan-cing – when he was guest speaker at adinner in Huddersfield.

And the former BBC reporterrevealed how his performances on theshow – which teams professional dan-cers with celebrities – entertained thehighest in the land.

John and dance partner KristinaRihanoff became favourites with theviewers – polling 1.7m votes at onestage to stay in the contest. However,John decided to quit the competitionto end the controversy.

John told guests at the annualdinner of the Huddersfield Society ofChartered Accountants that he wastempted to add “by Royal Appoint-ment” to his name after hearing thatthe Queen was a firm fan of the show,telling one courtier: “We all enjoybeing entertained by John Sargent.”

The broadcaster also recalledhumorous incidents during his career

covering political leaders such asGeorge Bush, Margaret Thatcher,John Major and Tony Blair.

He told how during a trip to Japanwith Tony Blair he decided to greetthe Prime Minister in Oriental stylewith a slight bow – only for the PM’s“minder” Alistair Campbell to growl:“Lower, Sargent, lower!”

More than 250 business peopleattended the chartered accountants’dinner at the Galpharm Stadium,when president Andrew McConnellintroduced top-table guests includingthe Mayor of Kirklees, Clr KaramHussain; Mayoress Nasreen Akhtar;Merryck Lowe, president of the WestYorkshire Society of CharteredAccountants; and Town and Giantschairman Ken Davy.

Mr Davy, who heads financialadviser support group SimplyBiz,urged business leaders in the town towork together to tackle the of therecession.

“As ‘doers’ in the town, we need towork together to build a new tomor-

row for the town,” he said. “What wedo now will determine the future ofHuddersfield for the next genera-tion.

“We are surrounded by problemsand we have an economy in chaos, butthe reality is that we can sit back and

be victims or we can use our energyand creative skills to take things bythe scruff of the neck and make thefuture what we want.”

“Every recession creates opportun-ities and this recession is no differentin that respect.”

n TOP GUESTS: Cllr Karam Hussain (left) Mayor of Kirklees; with (fromleft) Andrew McConnell, president of the Huddersfield Society of CharteredAccount; John Sargent; Ken Davy, chairman of SimplyBiz plc

A HUDDERSFIELDwoman has spearheadedthe revival of aprofessional body inYorkshire.Alison France (right),managing director ofGrange Moor-basedSanderson Associates,has led efforts to revivethe Yorkshire branch ofthe Institute of HighwayIncorporated Engineers.Sanderson Associates,one of the UK’s leadingindependent consultingengineers, has providedkey committee membersfor the IHIE and createda new programme ofevents for 2009.Alison said: “The IHIE isa very importantprofessionalorganisation, whichhelps all of its membersimprove theirqualifications and reachtheir full potential.Recently, it had beensuffering in Yorkshirewith branch meetingsceasing.“So SandersonAssociates haveprovided the IHIE withtwo joint secretaries,Karen Smith and LouiseMilner, who have alreadytaken up their posts.They have formulated aninteresting programmeof events for all of the235 IHIE members inYorkshire.”Events, which will takeplace at SandersonAssociates’headquarters, includingtalks on the Trinity Walkdevelopment in

Wakefield by PeterMaurice of SandersonAssociates, togetherwith lectures on highwaylegislation and groundstabilisation.The aim of the IHIE is tohelp members deliversafe, sustainabletransport systems.It provides professionalleadership bydeveloping and sharingknowledge andstandards. IHIEbranches cover the UKand run site visits,seminars, technicalmeetings andpresentations and socialevents.Said Alison: “Thesemeetings and seminarsare so worthwhile.“You can keep up todate, widen yourprofessional contactsand meet many of yourprofessionaldevelopment needs atbranch meetings.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS

WEST Yorkshire has hosted a majormarketing conference.

The Chartered Institute of Market-ing staged Marketing Live in associ-ation with Microsoft Advertising atthe Royal Armouries in Leeds.

The event used the unusual themeof recreating a live TV broadcast –turning the 400-plus attendees into avirtual studio audience.

The event included interviews,panel discussions, debates andpre-recorded interviews with leadingmarketing figures, who explored theimportance and value of marketing ina changing economy.

They included Christopher Dankl,of Sony DADC; Thomas Brown of theCIM and Chris Brooks, managing dir-ector of Integrated Results.

Gordon getshelping handGORDON Brown needs all the help hecan get at present.

So a Huddersfield company has cometo the rescue – by devising a website wherevisitors can help our hard-pressed PrimeMinister rescue Britain’s embattledbanks.

An online game, called Grabbing Gor-don, invites players to use their keyboardspacebar to help the premier “save” fourbanks before they go bust – while Big Benticks down the time and the interest rateruns down to zero.

Once they have completed thelight-hearted game, visitors can move tothe website proper – which providesinformation on selling your old mobilephones.

The interactive site was developed byCommon Agency, a web design companybased at the Huddersfild Media Centre,for London-based fonebank.com, anonline company specialising in buyingsecond-hand mobiles.

Ben Childs, 34, managing director ofCommon Agency, said: “Our client waslooking for a quirky way to promote itsbusiness.

“The idea of the game was to providefive minutes of fun before people clickonto the site proper to get their oldmobiles valued. The client was happy toadopt this tongue-in-cheek tactic.”

The game was designed by seniordesigner Tom Morgan, 32, who joinedCommon Agency six months ago.

Ben, who studied product design atHuddersfield University, launched Com-mon Agency three years ago at the MediaCentre after running the design team formobiles giant Orange in Leeds, where he

worked alongside Tom.Now Common Agency has four

full-time employees as well as a number ofcontract workers – and numbers Orangeand mobile phone designer and manufac-turer HTC among its clients.

Common Agency also works withother firms in the Media Centre and inLeeds and Manchester.

The firm has worked on projectsincluding interactive websites, multilin-gual websites and e-commerce websites.

Previous projects include devising anonline game for children’s TV channelCBBC.

Despite its northern roots, at least halfits customers are based in London andthe south-east.

Said Ben: “It is not often big companiesgo looking for resources outside London,but in some ways the rcession hasprovided us with an advantage becausewe can offer cheaper prices than agenciesin the capital.

“There is also the fact that some Lon-don-based businesses, perhaps, don’t havesuch high expectations of suppliers in thenorth – so they are pleasantly surprisedwhen they find what we can do.”

Ben said Common Agency was weath-ering the current climate – after a seasonalslowdown in business towards the end oflast year..

He said: “Since February, we have beenas busy as we have ever been – and therehas been a lot more interactive workalong the lines of ‘Grabbing Gordon’.”

Projects under way include interactsites for a housing scheme in Rochdaleand a community radio in Leeds.

n SCREEN GRAB: Tom Morgan (left) and Ben Childs try out the Grabbing Gordongame, which they devised for a firm buying secondhand mobiles

WHAT should you expect whenbuying property from an

administrator?With many property businesses failing

in the current market, it is likely at somepoint you may have to consider whetherto acquire a property from an adminis-trator. The expression “buyer beware”,has never been more relevant.

An administrator selling property gen-erally has not had the benefit of occupy-ing, managing, or owning a property on adaily basis. Consequently, there is often alack of information, available to thebuyer. Even if the administrator hasoccupied the property, there will be anunwillingness to make representationson which the buyer can rely on. So whatcan a buyer realistically expect?

Often administrators are not awarewhether items left at the property areowned by the company or third parties orthe terms and conditions of any hiring orleasing agreements. Administrators willavoid “selling” these items and will onlytransfer such right title and interest as theseller has. Making sure the property ishanded over in the condition expected bythe buyer requires appropriate physicalhandover arrangements.

The buyer should not expect any titleguarantees or warranties with regard tothe property, which means the buyer willneed to satisfy itself through its own duediligence (if the documents are available),or take a view on the lack of informa-tion. This becomes all the more signific-ant for a part-developed site.

The administrators shall expresslyexclude personal liability and provideconfirmation that the administrator isacting for and on behalf of the company(in administration) and only as its agent.It is worth exploring the possibility of theadministrator agreeing to take on certainlimited obligations in the contract, suchas the collection of rent arrears, a breachof which could be pursued and damagesclaimed for as an ‘expense of the admin-istration’. This would allow the buyersome ability to obtain redress wherenecessary.

Generally there will be no guaranteethat the property is sold with vacantpossession. A buyer should thereforeconduct careful due diligence and invest-igate whether any third party is in occu-pation and if so, on what basis. Vacantpossession also means free of goods andfurniture etc. The cost of clearanceshould be factored into the acquisitionprice.

When acquiring property from anadministrator, there are many uncertain-ties which means a buyer should under-take as much direct and indirect duediligence as time and information allow.The good news is that the acquisitionprice should reflect these risks and uncer-tainties.

Amandeep Koomer is a real estatepartner at Austin Kemp Solicitors

NETBENEFITREALESTATEAmandeep Koomer

Simon Kaye is Divisional Director atRensburg Sheppards Investment

Management

Simon Kaye

CITY TALK

Simon Kaye is Divisional Director atRensburg Sheppards Investment

Management

Simon Kaye

CITY TALK

THE 20 leading industrialised countriesof the world have met in London to try

to agree policies that will mitigate theeffects of the global recession.

The initial response is that more wasachieved than was expected, or usual, for theseevents. In addition, substantial measures havealready been enacted to boost economicgrowth, many of which take a year or more totake effect.

In the meantime, the global economy issuffering from a general collapse in confidence,feeding a discouraging stream of news intofinancial markets.

However, although the immediate outlookremains particularly uncertain, equity marketsstaged a major rally during March, recoupingaround half of their 2009 losses. It is notpossible to know yet if this is a sunny periodbetween thunderstorms or the advent of springbut at least those who believe equity assets havebecome cheap are getting a hearing.

If 1999 is looked back on as the peak of the“Cult of the Equity”, we appear to be at theopposite end of the spectrum now, after adecade in which equity markets have twicehalved and current lie towards the bottom ofthe second fall.

Data for the US market going back to beforethe reign of Queen Victoria indicates that onthe rare occasions (such as now) that 10-yearreturns have been close to or below zero, thesubsequent period has seen above averagereturns. This fits with the intuitive idea thatwhen something has done exceptionally well orbadly it is appropriate to question whether therecent trend is sustainable, not to extrapolate itinto the future.

Unless the global economy fails to rediscoverhow to grow, equities and other risk assets arecheaply rated relative to assets that haverecently done well, such as cash and govern-ment bonds. This does not mean that theycannot become cheaper – that will depend uponwhen investors can see through the bottom ofthis unusually nasty economic cycle.

Leaving aside the imponderable of when thiseconomic downturn will end, there is anotherreason to ensure a proper representation of“real” assets in portfolios. That is the risk thatinflation will be higher, possibly significantlyhigher, than expected.

Real assets, such as property and equity (as aclaim on producing assets) tend over time tomaintain their value after inflation, whereas thevalue of cash and most bonds is eroded by it. Ifofficial inflation targets of 2% are met, there islittle or no margin in cash rates or gilt yields tocompensate for the risk of something worseoccurring.

History should serve as a warning. Between1945 (following the Depression and World WarTwo) and the end of 1974, gilts lost 73% of theirvalue in real terms (including reinvestedincome). Over the same period (even thoughthe end of 1974 was the trough of the worst bearmarket in post-war history) UK equities gained71% in real terms.

The immediate economic outlook is uncer-tain, which argues for caution in increasingportfolio exposure to risky assets. However,betting against real assets at current ratings,when the offered reward for holding “safe”assets such as cash and gilts is so low does notlook the right call for long term investors.

KIRKLEES

PROPERTY FOCUS

MP in driveto reviveDewsburyA PROGRAMME to revitalise Dewsburytown centre is being drawn up following amajor meeting in the town.

The meeting was organised by DewsburyLabour MP Shahid Malik and attended bymore than 50 local business people.

Also taking part were Rosie WInterton,regional minister for Yorkshire; KirkleesCouncil leader Clr Mehboob Khan andofficials from regional development agencyYorkshire Forward.

The meeting was told that Kirklees Coun-cil’s new cabinet had made regeneration ofthe town centre a priority for millions ofpounds of development cash.

Mr Malik has campaigned for moreoffice-based council jobs to be transferredfrom Huddersfield to Dewsbury as part ofefforts to support local retailers.

He said: “The future prosperity of thetown is something that every single person atthe meeting had at heart.

“The desire to regenerate and succeeed isthere and to achieve those objectives I will beworking closely with Kirklees and localbusinesses to drive forward the economicexpectations and prosperity of Dewsbury.”

Mr Malik said: “Of major concern is thestate of the town centre – an issue I have beencampaigning on for the past three years andan area where I know there will be swiftaction from the new council administra-tion.”

Clr Khan said those attending the meetingwere “genuine in their concern for Dews-bury” and determined to work with thecouncil to improve the quality of life forlocal people.

Property crown for DTZPROPERTY agent DTZ has been named thecommercial property industry’s top agent in theNorth and West Midlands in the 2008 EGiDeals Competition Awards.

Global property adviser DTZ secured topplace in five categories by beating off competi-tion from Lambert Smith Hampton, CBRichard Ellis, Savills, GVA Lamb and Edge,Sanderson Weatherall, Cushman and Wake-field and King Sturge.

Three of these wins were for DTZ’s office

agency team, who were named Top OfficeAgents in the West Midlands, Wales and Lon-don. Across the UK, DTZ’s office agency teamtransacted more than 9.7m sq ft in 2008,completing more than 800 deals.

DTZ took the northern region crown withtop rankings for the office and industrialteams.

In 2008, the Manchester offices team wereresponsible for 10 of the top 17 largest deals inManchester.

BRAND image consultancy Schwak hastaken space at a major development inLeeds.The company has taken a five-year leaseon 4,400sq ft of office accommodation atThe Pavilion Building, City West.Phillip Dawson, associate director at DTZ ,which acted on behalf of the firm, said:“Schawk has been seeking modern highprofile office premises for some time.Securing space at City West has enabled

them to significantly improve their workingenvironment.“A further letting of office space in the outof town market is good news for Leeds,which has seen encouraging increasedtake up in recent times.”Rob Moore, managing director at Schawk,added: “The Pavillion Building at City Westprovides an excellent location with thenecessary functionality and imagerequired of our business.”

n TOWN TALK: Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik (left) met Government Minister RosieWinterton and Kirklees leader Clr Mehboob Khan to discuss plans for the town

FORSALE/TOLETModernTradeIndustrialUnitsVictoriaPark,LightowlerRd,Halifax• 1,530–4740sqft• Secureyardwithparking• Rentfrom£1persqftyearone• Priceonapplication

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Modern Industrial/WarehouseUnitUnitG14,LockView,LowfieldsBusinessPark,Elland• 1027.6m2(11,062sqft)• Fullyfitted• ExcellentlocationwithintheM62corridor• Secureyard• Rental:£57,500pax

TOLETBritanniaBuildings,Briggate,Elland• GroundFloorOfficeSuite750Sqft• HighSpecinternalfinish• PrivateMeetingRoom• W/C&Kitchenettefacilities• Intercomdoorentrysystem• Cat5ENetworkPoints.• Rentaluponapplication

FORSALELicensedHaulageDepot,HoldsworthRoad,Halifax• ModernSingleStoreydetachedworkshop2,321sqftplusmezzaninestorage278sqft• VehicleInspectionPit• 3xfullheightrollershutters• Worksoffice• OperatorsLicense• Securesiteextendingtoapprox0.44Acresofferingexpansionforfurtherdevelopment.• Priceonapplication

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TOLETTheEstateOfficeWellingtonMills, QuebecStreet, Elland• 98m2 (1,050ft)• Firstflooroffices• Allocatedcarparkingprovision• Finishedtoagoodstandardthroughout• Rent:£6,300pax

TOLETWellingtonBusinessParkQuebecStreet, Elland• 520m2 (5,600sqft)• Excellentmodernsinglestoreyfactory• Largesharedyardandcarparkingprovision• Officesplusmezzaninestorage• Rent:£28,000pax

FORSALECaldervaleWorksRiverStreet,Brighouse• SubstantialWorkshopProperty• 2,530m2 (27,233sqft)• With0.6Acrehardsurfaced&secureyard• PriceonApplication

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TOLETUnitG10LowfieldsBusinessPark,Elland• 1026.2m2 (11,046sqft)• Moderndetachedindustrialunit• Highofficecontent• Privateyard• Excellentlocationwithmotorwayaccess• Rentalonapplication

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS

PROPERTY FOCUS

A FOUR-STAR hotel in West York-shire is leading the way when itcomes to going green.

Waterton Park Hotel and WaltonHall, near Wakefield, has installedthe country’s first 60kw groundand water source heat pump.

The system which uses thelatest technology, will save198tonnes of carbon emissions –providing heating for the hall’snewly-refurbished pool and leis-ure facilities.

Four miles of pipes were laidbeneath the 26-acre lake that sur-rounds the historic Walton Hall.

These pipes are connected to apump that drives the natural heatthrough to warm the hotel andleisure complex.

G e n e ra l m a n a g e r S i m o nMurphy said: “We all need to belooking at ways to reduce carbonemissions as part of the conser-vation of our planet for futuregenerations and installationssuch as this go a long way todoing just that.

“This project is particularlyappropriate at the historic WaltonHall as Charles Waterton – whosefamily once owned the hall – was

himself a pioneer building theworld’s first wildfowl water parkhere in the early 19th century.

“He was also at the forefront inthe fight against industrial pollu-tion and I am sure he would havebeen very pleased to see the useof modern pollution free techno-logy being used in this way.”

One advantage of the innovativeinstallation is that the system ofpipes also helps keep the lakewater at an even temperature –reducing the algae that can buildup in summer and benefiting thefish and wildfowl.

Chancellorunder fireYORKSHIRE property expertshave hit out at the timing of a“welcome” decision to reduce uni-form business rates next year.

Chancellor Alistair Darling saidthe UBR would rise by 2% nextyear rather than 5% as firstannounced.

However, the Chancel lorintends to recover the tax lost byincreasing the level of UBR in thefollowing two years – meaning theincrease has in effect been post-poned.

Richard Wackett (pictured),national rating director for Lam-bert Smith Hampton in Leeds,said: “This change, while welcome,should have been announced bythe New Year.

“All billing authorities will haveprepared and in many cases sentout accounts for the 2009/10 yearand these will now have tore-issued.

“This is a recipe for confusion.Sadly it will add another level to

the complexity of rate demands.”He added: Business must hope

that the Chancellor realises overthe next 12 months that it isimpractical to recover the incomeforgone and writes off the addi-tional charges for 2011 and2012.”

Jennifer Brooke, executive dir-ector of the Business CentresAssociation, said the Chancellor’sdecision was a “small step in theright direction” but added that adecrease would have been morehelp in current difficult tradingconditions.

She said: “On behalf of ourmembers, we have lobbied theGovernment to freeze the businessrate increase to reflect the RetailPrice Index, which is at zero percent.

“This Chancellor's decision stillmeans that businesses are facedwith increased bills at a time ofrestricted cashflow.

"In addition, it is set to causeconfusion for local authorities thathave already issued rate bills andthose small businesses who willhave received bills with thousandsof pounds in increased taxes.

“It is nonsensical that thedeferral will not be granted

automatically; we are now in aposition where 1.6m ratepayerswill need to apply to their localauthority for new paymentplans.”

She added: “I can only hope thatthe Chancellor now realises that itis impractical to recover this losttax, especially in current economicconditions.”

n PIPE DREAMS: Workers prepare to lay the pipe for the new heat pump installed under the lake at WaltonHall, near Wakefield

Demand for rentalsis outpacing supplyDEMAND for rented property is far out-stripping supply, an estate agency in Hud-dersfield has revealed.

Staff at Bairstow Eves Countrywide arescouring the town and surrounding areas forvacant properties to meet high levels ofdemand from potential tenants.

Lettings manager Emma Pickford said thebranch at John William Street had set up itslettings department last November, sincewhen it had been very successful.

But she said: “More people are walkingthrough the door – demand is massive. But wecannot get properties quickly enough to meetthat demand. I am registering 10 people a daywho are looking for somewhere to rent. Someof them come back week after week.

“We are leafleting widely and looking righracross the district at areas such as DenbyDale, Scissett and Clayton West to Outlaneand Brighouse in search of properties.”

E m m a s a i d d e m a n d fo r r e n t e daccommmodation was being fed by peoplesuch as young couples unable to get a mort-

gage to buy a house;ex-pats returning to theUK because the cost of living abroad is moreexpensive; and people moving due to achange of job.

As a result, there was demand for all typesof houses. “Normally, a typical rental prop-erty is a two or three bedroom terracedhouse,” she said. “But we have been lettingmodern executive-type properties and largerhouses.”

But she said people struggling to sell emptyhouses on the market were unaware of thebenefits of renting them out. In some cases,they were uncertain about how to go aboutbeing a landlord.

“People who want to sell – but can’t – couldbe renting them out. As long as a house isempty, it will depreciate in value. While it islived in, it is being looked after – and it canprovide a valuable source of income.”

Emma said the lettings department couldorganise tenancies for as little as six months –and offered three levels of support dependingon the experience of the landlord con-

cerned.She said: “We offer ‘let only’ for more

experienced landlords who just want us tofind a tenant, leaving them to manage thetenancy and collect the rent.

“We also offer ‘partial management’ wherewe arrange to collect the rent every month. Or

we can offer ‘full management’ where we dealwith everything.”

Said Emma: “The lettings department ishere to stay. It is not just something we havedone to fill a gap. But we need a variety ofproperties to meet what is a growing mar-ket.”

n PROPERTYVALUES: Stafffrom theBairstow EvesCountrywideestate agencyon John WilliamSt, Huddersfield,have reportedstrong demandfollowing theopening of theirlettingsdepartment,Pictured are(from left) KatyMarshall, HelenMcManus, DaleChallis,manager, RachelFoster andlettings managerEmma Pickford

KIRKLEES

PROPERTY FOCUS

PROPERTY consultancy DTZhas appointed Andrew Jones asUK chief operating officer.

Mr Jones will report to BobRickert, global chief operatingofficer and will sit on the UK

Leadership team.Mr Jones joins DTZ from

Barclays Plc, where he wasoperations director and chiefprocurement officer. He hasalso worked for Prudential .

COMMERCIAL and industrialagents Michael Steel & Cohave completed the sale of aformer MoT garage atBlakeridge Mill, Batley.The premises (above), whichextend to 2,600sq ft ofsingle-storey former garage

repair accommodation and asmall forecourt, have beensold to a Batley-basedowner-occupier who plans toupgrade the site and occupy itthemselves. Offers exceeding£350,000 were initially soughtfor the premises.

Milestone reachedat Birstall schemeA DEVELOPMENT in Birstall hasreached a major milestone.

The Springwell 27 scheme hascompleted 40,000sq ft of industrialwarehousing – of which 60% hasalready sold.

The development completed todate on the eight-acre site includes aterrace of 29,000sq ft comprising 11units – ranging in size from 2,196sq ftto 3,918sq ft.

Five of the speculative units havealready been sold and a further unit isnow under offer on the business parkclose to junction 27 of the M62.

Occupiers include local andnational firms such as Turbo Engin-eering, Aceda Developments, NorthFire, Floorbrite and Banana Moon.

Turbo Engineering, a light engin-eering firm servicing the motor trade,was the first company to commit tothe terrace by taking about 2,500sqft.

Managing director Allen Terrysaid: “We had been operating fromthe nearby Carr Mills Business Parkfor a number of years and were

desperately in need of modern facilit-ies which would give us the flexibilityto expand, while maintaining ourpresence in the local area.

“We have been particularlyimpressed with the build quality andceiling height, which will give us thecapacity to expand in the futurewithout having to relocate.”

Richard Tovey, development dir-ector of Gregory Property Develop-ments, said: “There is a real shortageof quality industrial accommodationin this strategic location and we havebeen very encouraged by the sales todate.

“Despite the current climate, weare still attracting good occupierinterest and conducting frequentviewings.

“The fact that several units havesold in such a short time frame isevidence of the quality of thescheme.”

The success of the terrace followsthe commitment by a major inwardinvestor to another element of thescheme.

Ocado, the independent onlinegrocery retailer, which distributesWaitrose own-label products, nowoccupies a unit of 10,500sq ft on threeacres at the development, where itoperates a regional distribution hub.

The company expects to createmore than 300 jobs over the next fewyears and the developer estimatesthat a further 100 jobs are likely to becreated elsewhere within the scheme.

Said Mr Tovey: “We have workedin partnership with Kirklees Councilto attract and facilitate the require-ments of this major inward investor,which is a real coup for the region.”

Eshton Gregory, the joint venturegroup behind the ascheme, has alsosecured detailed planning permissionfor a further 30,000sq ft on two acresoffering design and build opportunit-ies – with units ranging from10,000sq ft to 30,000sq ft.

The joint agents appointed to mar-ket the scheme are Carter Jonas andDove Haigh Phillips. Gordons Soli-citors acted for Eshton Gregory onlettings and sales.

industrialoffice

TO LET1,272 m² (13,689 sq ft)Modern warehouse/trade counter unitGenerous secure yard/car parking facilitiesExcellent access to J25/M62

Old Fieldhouse Lane, HuddersfieldFOR SALE/MAY LET1,460 m² (15,720 sq ft)Modern warehouse/trade counter unitProminent frontage to busy main roadPlanning consent for500 m² (5,400 sq ft) extension

St. Thomas' Road, Huddersfield

industrial

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Holme Bank MillsStation Road, Mirfield

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Walkley WorksWalkley Lane, Heckmondwike

eddisons.com Eddisons

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS

PROPERTY FOCUS

Rok hit byprofits fallA BUILDING and mainten-ance firm involved in projectsacross Kirklees has announceda 25% fall in profits – but said ashirt to more lucrative work wasalmost complete.

Exeter-based Rok, which hascarried out work on localschools and public buldings,said adjusted pre-tax profits for2008 totalled £20.4m against£27.2m in 2007.

Operating profits from newbuild work plunged by 78% tojust £2.2m in 2008.

In contrast, earnings fromplanned repairs such as plumb-ing and electrical services wereup by 12% to £16.8m whileprofits from call-out mainten-ance grew by 30% to £7.4m.

The company said it hadquickened the pace in shiftingfrom low-margin contractingwork to more profitable repairsand maintenance services,adding the transition was “vir-tually complete”.

Rok has also closed its prop-erty development arm as itbelieves returns are likely to beinadequate for the foreseeable

future.The group said it had axed

700 jobs as part of the shake-upat a cost of £8.3m and reducedthe number of its premises tohelp cut costs by £30m a year.Including one-off costs andother charges, pre-tax profitsp l u n g e d t o £ 5 . 9 m f ro m£24.5m.

Chief executive GarvisSnook said: “There is no doubtthat we experienced a sharpsetback last year but actedpromptly and decisively to planfor the reduced revenue expect-ations.”

He said maintenance-relatedservices would account formore than two thirds of grossprofits in future, adding thatRok’s pipeline of work is“strong”.

The company is involved inthe selection process for 172new long-term contracts worth£2.1bn.

Since the year-end, Rok hadalready won framework agree-ments amounting to £250m.

A HUDDERSFIELD business hastaken its first steps to setting up astring of franchises.

Lockwood-based SpectacularDriveways (UK) Ltd operates a train-ing centre to instruct franchisees inlaying driveways using concretecoloured and patterned to resemblestone or other materials and apply asealing coat to enhance the colourand combat dirt and oil stains.

T h e c o m p a n y, w h i c h h a spremises in Albert Street, is headedby businessman John Quinn, whohas lectured on construction andhas many years experience in the

building industry.Now it has signed up its its first

franchisee – York-based Steve Dun-ning – who has completed his train-ing and is now operating under theSpectacular Driveways banner asfranchisee for the York area.

Mr Quinn said Mr Dunning wasthe first of a number of people keento go into business for themselvesas franchisees, including potentialpartners in the Midlands and east-ern England.

Spectacular Driveways (UK) Ltdprovides franchisees with sales lit-erature, DVDs and photos; sales

leads; colour samples; help withbusiness plans and sales trainingas well as technical support.

The driveways work is offered tohomeowners wanting to improvethe look of their drives and paths,conservatory floors and patios.

The decorated concrete can alsobe used for other applications,including industrial floors, swim-ming pool surrounds and kitchenworktops.

Mr Quinn also aims to set upformal NVQs in pattern imprintedconcrete, giving trainees a recog-nised qualification.

Output set to risedespite recessionBUILDING firms expect toincrease output next year – despitethe recession.

A survey by business advisoryfirm Deloitte said construction out-put in the UK was forecast to growby 2% to about £79bn in 2010.

This is despite predictions fromindustry commentators that con-struction output in the UK will be7% to 10% lower at about £77bn thisyear.

“It is clear that this year will be ayear for ‘battening down thehatches’ for what could be a pro-longed period of stagnation,” saidSimon Manning, audit and advisorypartner in the Leeds office ofDeloitte.

“Industry commentators are gen-erally agreed that the raft of newpublic sector projects, supported byincreased Government expenditure,

will be insufficient to prevent con-struction output falling steeply in2009.”

Mr Manning said: “Recent opin-ions within the industry indicatethat public projects in the education,health and transport sectors areessential for the short-term pro-spects of the industry.

“However, in the medium term itmust not be forgotten that there willbe high levels of Government debtthat need repaying and this couldlead to a cut in public spending.

“Therefore, we must hope that by2010 the private sector has regainedat least a modicum of momentumbefore the inevitable Governmentcuts are felt.”

Mr Manning said constructioncompanies must show “an unwaver-ing concentration on cash and work-ing capital” as well as strong

corporate governance if they were tosurvive in the current climate.

Firms should establish clear andunambiguous rules with regard tothe management of variations, andclaims; ensure that the “natural ten-sion” in terms of cash flow betweenthe design, construction and facilit-ies management phases are under-stood and taken into account; andunderstand the limits of partner-ships and so called ‘special’ relation-ships.

Said Mr Manning: “While in therecent past the constructionindustry has focused on growth andprofit, cash and working capital willbe at the heart of every constructionfirm’s survival during 2009 and2010.

“Some companies are adapting tothis faster and more effectively thanothers.”

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PROPERTY FOCUS

NATIONAL commercial prop-erty consultancy LambertSmith Hampton has com-pleted the project manage-ment of a major refurbishmentproject at a prestigious river-side office building in Leedscity centre.

Following the expiry of anumber of leases, LSH’sLeeds office was instructedby landlord KeyLand Develop-ments, the property develop-ment business of Kelda

Group, to refurbish severalsuites at No 2 The Embank-ment, Sovereign Street, readyfor re-letting.

James Smithies, of Key-Land Developments, said: “Asa wholly owned subsidiary ofthe Kelda Group, KeyLand'sresponsibility is to managethe head lease on No 2 TheEmbankment following therelocation of the group's headoffice functions to Bradford in2001.”

BUILDING products firm Mar-shalls has won an award for apioneering “green” initiative.

The Birkby-based company,which also has operations atElland, was presented with theAchievement in SustainabilityAward at the PLC Awards held atLondon’s Grosvenor HouseHotel.

The company was recognsiedfor its work on “carbon labelling”

and its overall approach to carbonreduction.

Last autumn, the supplier ofstone and concrete for landscap-ing became the first firm to labelits entire range with informationabout the amount of carbon diox-ide equivalent created by extract-ing and processing raw materials,manufacturing and supplying itsproducts.

Marshallshas carbon labelled

more than 500 products in itsdomestic range – the largestamount of products anywhere inthe world.

Marketing director Chris Harropsaid: “Winning this award means agreat deal to Marshalls.

“We take our commitment tosustainability very seriously andstrongly that every businessshould make an active contribu-tion to society.”

Firm completes itsmove to Folly HallA TRAINING company in Hudders-field has completed its move to ahistoric mill building.

Award-winning firm ESTLhasinstalled its staff in the refurbishedFolly Hall Mills on the banks of theriver Colne at Folly Hall. The com-pany has outgrown its previousheadquarters at Kirkburton.

Folly Hall Mills, a Grade II listedbuilding, is being converted into60,000sq ft high-quality offices byDewsbury-based Jay Tee Group.

ESTL has taken space in both millbuildings on the site, as well theextended boiler house, to accommod-ate its 100 staff.

The company has taken 6,900sq ftin the small mill, which means that it isnow full. It has also taken 3,300sq ft inthe boiler house and 3,400sq ft in themain mill.

Staff have already moved into thesmall mill and will be transferring intothe boiler house, newly-built atriumand main mill later this year.

ESTL managing director RachelStirling said: “We have moved to Folly

Hall because we have experiencedconsiderable growth in the last 12months, which is forecast to con-tinue.

“This means that our staff base,physical and training resources are inthe process of being trebled and toenable us to facilitate this, we requiredsubstantially bigger premises.

“We chose Folly Hall for our reloca-tion for a number of reasons, includ-ing its central location – which enablesus to retain existing staff – its carparking facilities and the chance ofhaving purpose-built premises withspecifically designed spaces.

“It is wonderful to be part of anexciting regeneration scheme for Hud-dersfield and to create new employ-ment opportunities for the localcommunity,” she said.

ESTL specialises in training andassessment, operating teams from itsWest Yorkshire and north-east offices.It also has a nationwide network oftrainers and assessors covering theUK.

Paul Bailey, project director at the

Jay Tee Group, said: “We aredelighted to welcome ESTL to FollyHall Mills, which is a tremendousdevelopment for Huddersfield.

“It will involve significant regenera-tion of the riverside area, creating newemployment opportunities and rais-ing the profile of Huddersfield as amajor office destination in the region.ESTL’s move is a superb endorsementof the development.

“Altogether there is 40,000sq ft ofprime office space left in the main millover five floors, which can be leased orbought. This space can be divided intooffice units from 2,000sq ft upwards.We feel they will prove very attractiveto professional services firms of allsizes, as well as to the public sector.”

The joint agents for the scheme areEddisons and Michael Steel and Co.

Huddersfield-based architectsAbove & Beyond have already takentwo floors in the smaller of the twomills, having relocated from thenearby Huddersfield Media Centre.

Folly Hall, which was originallybuilt in 1844 and operated as a textilemill until 1982.

n NEW HOME: Louise Broadley (left) and Nancy Finnigan of recruitment company, ESTL which has moved in to newpremises in the newly renovated Folly Hall Mills

CONFIDENCE in property isreturning, an estate agency hasclaimed.

Eddisons, which has officesin Huddersfield, reported“renewed buyconfidence” at itslatest property auction held inLeeds.

Out of 90 lots offered, 69attracted buyers – generatingtotal revenue exceeding £3.6m.

Auctioneer Tony Webbersaid the response was good,given the success of Eddisons’February auction.

Said Mr Webber: “It wasalways going to be difficult torepeat the success of the Febru-ary auction where the numberof lots sold achieved unpreced-ented levels.

“I think what we saw was aslight calming down of the mar-ket, although the busy roomand keen bidding on a numberof lots continues to indicateinvestor confidence in the prop-erty market as opposed to fin-ancial institutions.”

Highl ights of the saleincluded a parcel of land meas-uring more than two acres atRed Deer Park, Grange Moor,which sold for £40,000 off aguide price of just £5,000 plus.

A group of eight apargtmentsnear Lister Park, Bradford,producing gross annual incomeof £44,100 sold for £325,000.

And twe tenanted shops with

upper floors producing a cur-rent passing rent of £13,500 ayear at Gillygate, York, raised£170,000 off a guide price of£150,000 plus.

Said Mr Webber: “The suc-cess of any auction depends ona number of factors, not leastthe type of the lots on offer.

“Even with no stand-out lots,buyers clearly felt that therewere plenty which representedgood value and were preparedto pay accordingly.”

Tony Webber, of Eddisons

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KIRKLEES

Sean Jarvis is director of businessdevelopment at Huddersfield Town

TOWNTALKSean Jarvis

EASTER is always a busy period for us,so for this week I wanted to catch up

on what’s being going on at the Club.I am sure by now you will have noticed the

new name on the front of our shirts next season-– The Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

This represents a major departure form thenorm for us. Usually, we would have a commer-cial partner on the front of the shirts however atthe end of last year we decided that it would besomething different and new for the Club, tofollow suit with the likes of Aston Villa andBarcelona and have a charity on the front of theshirts.

To provide a bit of clarity to our partnership,in simple for every £1 raised through ourcombined “Keep It Up” campaign – it costs£7,200 a day to keep the two helicopters in theair! – 50p will go to the Yorkshire Air Ambu-lance and 50p will go towards our Academy andcontinue to build grass roots football.

There are a number of ways supporters cancontribute and over the coming 12 months therewill be some additional ones that in some wayshape of form our supporters can get involved.For example, one that we will officially launchon the last game of the season will be ourrecycling campaign.

In agreement with Yorkshire Air Ambulanceand Bag It Up (the company that runs therecycling) at every recycling point in Hudders-field the Keep It Up campaign will receiveincome based on the garments recycled.

To keep in touch with what is going on withthe Keep It Up Campaign, log on to the officialw e b s i t e a t w w w . h t a f c . c o m o rwww.keepitup.org.uk.

I would also like to use my column towelcome Thornton and Ross (owners of RadianB) to the Huddersfield Town family. It is great tohave such a fantastic local company involvedand of course have a national brand on the frontof our away shirts. Thornton and Ross are agreat family company with some terrific people(including some passionate Town fans).

I also want to thank all of the comments fromour supporters that we have received over the2009/2010 season ticket brochure. The teamhere are very proud of the literature and rightlyso. Again I think this demonstrates how we are“upping our game”.

One of the interesting responses we have hadso far has been the take up to the new WhiteRose Club. Already in the space of a few days wehave had a 10% increase in new people wishingto go into the new White Rose Club – whichprovides access to the lounge and one of the bestseats in the house. So it you are considering anupgrade for the season it may pay to take acloser look at the White Rose!

As many of you will know we will be runningthe Awards ceremony this year. This has been adifficult decision, but we all feel now is the timeto take it to the next level. For the record theClub and HTSA did a lot of investigation to finda large enough venue to cater for 500 to 1,000people. After six months of searching we keptcoming to a blind alley as costs were tooprohibitive. Consequently we needed to make adecision and hold the ceremony at the stadiumas that proved to be the best option. I would alsolike to take the opportunity in my notes to thankthe Hargreaves and Kaminski families for theirsupport of the awards too.

TWO directors of aHuddersfield designand branding agencyhave been listed in atop reference book.

Jill Peel and DavidWorthington, of Brad-ley-based 10 Associ-ates, feature in theWho’s Who of Bri-tain’s Business Elite2009, which will bepublished in May. Thebook identifies the dir-ectors of Britain'sfastest -growing com-panies.

T h e i r s u c c e s scomes as 10 Associ-ates celebrates fiveyears in business.

T h e c o m p a n yprovides branding,consultancy, digitaland online design ser-vices, advertising,packaging, literature,direct mail and exhibi-tions for clients ran-g i n g f r o m l o c a lcompanies such asStandard Fireworksand Rowan Yarns toBhS, Bulmers andwallpaper brand Gra-ham & Brown.

T h e b o o k , p u b-lished by Who’s WhoPublications, ranksthe UK’s top 1% ofcompanies in terms ofgrowth of sharehold-ers’ funds. The meas-urement takes intoaccount directors’salaries and dividendto shareholders aswell as how the direct-ors are investing intheir business.

Said David: “We arevery fortunate to be inthis position duringthese testing times.We would like to thankeveryone that hastrusted us to delivertheir creative require-ments over the lastfive exciting years.There is no substitutefor sheer hard workand determination.”

Town backingdiscount cardHUDDERSFIELD Town hasteamed up with Kirklees Neigh-bourhood Housing – to providecouncil tenants and leaseholderswith exclusive offers from thefootball club.

Town is the latest organisationto join KNH’s Excel discount cardscheme, which enables qualifyingcouncil tenants and leaseholdersto save money on goods and ser-vices available from businessesacross Kirklees.

The discount card – the first ofits kind in the country – wasdeveloped by KNH staff and ten-a n t s ’ r e p re s e n t at ive s a n dlaunched in 2007.

Since then, more than 260 localbusinesses have joined thescheme.

People qualifying for the cardreceives a brochure listing all thebusinesses and discounts – whichnow includes “Buy One Get OneFree” offers on selected match daytickets and free printing on

newly-bought shirts from Hud-dersfield Town.

The club is also sponsoringother elements of KNH Excel,including its schools citizenshipproject, KNH Kids.

Sean Jarvis, Town director ofbusiness development, said: “Thisis a fantastic relationship that is aslight departure from our usualcommercial deals.

“Essentially, it is HuddersfieldTown giving something of valueback to the community – particu-larly the ticket deal which we hopewill give people that have not beendown to see us yet an opportunityto do so.

“We are also confident from acommercial perspective that wewill be able to attract some of thebusinesses already involved in thescheme to become involved at theclub.”

KNH chief executive SimonRogers said: “I’m very pleasedthat Huddersfield Town have

teamed up with KNH Excel.“The club is making a very

generous contribution to our dis-count card scheme, but they’realso supporting us in our widermission, which is to help createsuccess fu l communit ies inKirklees.

“It’s a fantastic partnership forall involved, but especially for ourtenants and leaseholders who willbenefit from the new offers.”

Town supporter and Hudders-field MP Barry Sheerman is also akeen backer of the card and theideas behind it.

The Labour MP said: “Now,more than ever, it’s vital that thepublic and private sectors worktogether to support local econom-ies.

“The KNH discount card is aterrific example of this kind ofpartnership working and it’s ascheme that could well benefitother regions.”

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to helpmanufacturers across Kirklees combatrecession.

The three-month campaign, calledManufacturing: Your Future, has beenlaunched by employers’ body the EEF toprovide Yorkshire firms with advice on keytopics during the downturn.

Companies will be given advice onredundancy and its alternatives – includ-ing changing working hours and practicesto help retain staff. if job losses are inevit-

able, there is advice to firms on protectingskills and bouncing back when the recov-ery comes along.

The campaign also offers advice onenergy efficiency and how to negotiatebetter deals from energy suppliers.

And it aims to help firms become morecompetitive with advice on cuttingcosts,innovation and diversification.

EEF Yorkshire director Alan Hall said:“Manufacturing output is forecast to fallby 8.6% this year.

“But despite this gloomy outlook, webelieve Yorkshire’s manufacturers –toughened by adversity – will rise to thechallenge, finding new ways to diversify,innovate and add value.

“Yorkshire manufacturing will ride outthis recession, as it has others. And we’ll bethere to help.”

The first phase of the campaign is aspecial seminar on April 29 in Sheffield.

Guidance sheets are also available atwww.manufacturingyourfuture. co.uk

n CLUBBING TOGETHER: Sean Jarvis (second left), of Huddersfield town with (from left) HelenO'Sullivan, Simon Rogers and Alex Elliott, of KNH

WE BRING BUSINESS FACE TO FACE WITH BUSINESS

Published by Trinity Mirror Huddersfield Ltd, PO Box A26, Queen Street South, Huddersfield HD1 2TD. Printed by TrinityMirror Printing Oldham Ltd, Hollinwood Avenue, Oldham. OL9 8EP. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office.

A COLNE Valley company has struck achord with one of Huddersfield’s lead-ing musical organisations.

Broad Oak Solutions, a headhuntingagency helping firms recruit top levelpersonnel, has sealed an unusual dealto sponsor Venezuelan-born NataliaLuis-Bassa, principal conductor ofHuddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra.

Natalia, who was one of the conduct-ors helping celebrities take up thebaton in the BBC television pro-gramme Maestro, began her musical

studies at the age of 15 when shestudied oboe at the world famousOrquesta Juvenil de Venezuela.

Winner of the Elgar Society Prize,she has also worked in the UK andabroad with orchestras based inBolivia, Scotland, India and Oman.

Executive search expert Paul Mul-cock, who heads Broak Oak Solutionsand is vice-president of the Hudders-field Philharmonic Society, said he hadsdecided to sponsor Natalia to showother companies in the town how they

could benefit from supporting localorganisations.

He said: “The orchestra has onlysurvived for 162 years by gettingpeople to support it.

“I know markets are tough, but localcompanies can get something back bysupporting their communities. I onlyhope my business lasts as long as thePhil!”

Mr Mulcocka graduate of Hudders-field University, has more than 20 yearsexperience in the sector.

Workers scaredof being off sickONE in three Yorkshire work-ers are so worried about losingtheir jobs that they won’t taketime off sick, it is claimed.

A poll for company healthplan provider LHF saidpeople in the region were put-ting their health at risk byreporting for work whengenuinely poorly.

More than half of workersin manufacturing, transportand utilities said they fearedthat taking just one day off

would make them more of atarget in the event of theirbosses seeking redundancies.

In comparison, fewer than20% of workers in Scotlandand the south-west worriedthat being off work ill wouldincrease the chances of themlosing their jobs.

Raman Sanakaran, a dir-ector of Leeds-based healthplan provider LHF, said:“Today’s competitive andpressured working environ-

ment has made it difficult foranyone to speak up about anillness or take time off.

“But employees should notbe made to feel that they haveto put their health at risk tosave their job.”

He said: “Schemes such asflexible working hours shouldbe introduced in the work-place to allow people who aresick to return to work whenthey feel fit, ensuring theyrecover more quickly.”

n UPBEAT: Conductor, Natalia Luis-Bassa hands her baton to Linthwaite businessman Paul Mulcock, who is sponsoring herfor the Huddersfield Philharmonic season

Burden getsheavier forbusinessesRED tape and regulation iscosting Yorkshire firmsmore money than ever, aKirklees-based businessgroup said.

The Mid Yorkshire Cham-ber of Commerce, said thetotal cost of more than 100regulations introduced since1998 was costing firms inYorkshire was £5.7bn.

Nationally, the totalstands at £76.8bn, accordingto the latest British Cham-bers of Commerce BurdensBarometer.

The report said the totalcumulate cost of £76.8bncompared with £65.9bn lastyear and £55.6bn in 2007.The total for 2001 was just£10bn.

However, it also said that18 specific regulations intro-duced s ince 1998 hadbrought total savings of£1.4bn.

The report said: “The factremains that despite threeActs of Parliament designedto reduce the regulatoryimpact, the increase in thecost of regulation continuesrelentlessly.

“In 2007/08, companieswere hit with 19 new regula-

tions costing them £2.1bn.”Steven Leigh, policy

spokesman for the Lock-wood-based Mid Yorkshirechamber, said it was “disap-pointing” that almost 70%of those regulations origin-ated in the EuropeanUnion.

“There is no doubt aboutthe good intentions of allpolitical parties in trying toreduce the costly burden ofred tape,” he said. “However,despite this, costs continueto rise.

“Many of the regulationsmust remain in place – andprevious efforts to rational-ise and simplify legislationhave actually caused muchmore cost and complicationthan anticipated.”

Said Mr Leigh: “It isironic that amid all thiscostly bureaucracy, therecent regulations affectingthe banking sector proved tobe so ineffectual. No doubtthe Government is hard atwork framing new regula-tions which will ensure thatthere can never again be suchan economic debacle arisingfrom inadequate regulationof the banking system.

RedundancyAdvice Services.

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

Call Neil Wilson on 01484 519 999

Kirklees Business News, May 2009

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Transcript of Kirklees Business News, May 2009