KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees16, November, 2010

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Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

DAVID WORTHINGTON MARK DALTONMaking business brands count

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3HSE sounds fi re a larm

Co lumn - Page 5

FTSE 100+23.54

5820.41An EXAMINER publication

Back tothe futureTHE chief executive ofoccupational healthcompany PROHMS hasreturned to her careerroots.Her firm has opened itsnew headquarters anda health academy in theformer premises ofmotor manufacturerBrook Crompton atLongroyd Bridge.Sandra Babbingsworked there 20 yearsago looking after thehealth of the workforce.And her time theremade such animpression on Sandrathat she decided tomake occupationhealth her career.

ExpressdeliveryLOGISTICS companyThe Pink Link hastaken delivery of anindustry award.The Netherton firm hasbeen recognised forhigh standards ofcustomer service byPalletways, Europe’smarket leader in theexpress distribution ofsmall consignments ofpalletised freight.

Paxman keeps its cool on the export trailA COMPANY providing equipment tohelp reduce hair loss in cancer patients ishitting the export trail.

Paxman Ltd, based at Fenay Bridge,will be exhibiting at MEDICA, the largestmedical technologies trade show in theworld.

The move will promote Paxman’s scalpcooling systems to a worldwide audience.

The four-day event, which gets underway tomorrow in Dusseldorf, Germany, isexpected to attract more than 137,000visitors.

Paxman Ltd will feature at the York-sh ire Pavi l ion, which is run byLeeds-based Medilink Yorkshire & Hum-

ber – an organisation dedicated toexpanding the region’s healthcare techno-logies sector on behalf of regional devel-opment agency Yorkshire Forward andthe government’s export support armUKTI.

Paxman Ltd produces scalp coolingequipment to reduce the risk of hair lossfor patients undergoing chemotherapy –helping to improve their self-confidenceand enabling them to retain their dignity.

The company will feature its new gener-ation of hair loss prevention systems,Orbis I and II.

Orbis I provides cooling for a singlepatient and is suitable for a small chemo-

therapy suite or private bed, while Orbis IIprovides cooling for one or two patientssimultaneously with each cap workingindependently.

Paxman will use MEDICA to speak tocurrent and potential distributors acrossthe globe.

Operations director Richard Paxmansaid: “Preserving self-esteem duringchemotherapy leads to a more positiveattitude to treatment and gives patients arare light in a dark time of their lives.

“We’re passionate about providing helpto patients around the world and hopeMedica will allow us to offer the solutionto thousands more patient’s worldwide.”

■ EXPORTS: RichardPaxman is all set for thenext major trade show

Company cuttingit with the jet set

■ AIR CREW: Brunswick Tooling managing director PaulBriggs (left) with machine programme operator Andy Bell(centre) and design engineer Roy Gledhill showing some ofthe tools made for BAE Systems and the F-35 (far left)

A COMPANY supplying cut-ting tools is helping the latestfighter jet take to the skies.

Now Brighouse-basedBrunswick Tool ing hasachieved success in the BAESystems Chairman’s Awardsfor its work providing preci-sion reamers for the F-35Lightning II.

The company was one of 28firms to win one of the topawards, which were presentedby explorer Sir RanulphFiennes at a ceremony atHeathrow Airport.

The annual competitionattracted more than 3,500entr ies across the UK,Europe, the Middle East andAustralia.

Brunswick won silver inconjunction with BAE Sys-tems and the integrated manu-facturing services team atSalmesbury, where compon-ents for the F-35 are made.

Roy Gledhill, design engin-eer at Brunswick, said thecompany was approached byBAE Systems more than ayear ago with the challenge of

producing specialist reamersfor use in the production oflarge bores of up to threeinches in diameter on the F-35

machined Titanium frames.Said Mr Gledhill: “BAE

Systems had been to a fewother major companies, but

no one else came up toscratch. Now they came tous.

“We did a lot of researchand development and weundertook a lot of trials tofind a way to ensure the partscould be made more quicklyand 100% right first time,every time.”

The team’s efforts reducedthe time for producing eachbore from three days bymanual conventional effort tofive minutes of reaming byintegrating it in to the com-puter-controlled manufac-turer of the parts. Theinnovation has eliminated allmanual operations and isnow fully automated – help-

ing BAE Systems to its targetof being able to manufactureone F-35 a day.

“We have saved them a lotof money and time,” said MrGledhill.

“Potentially, this contractcould lead to business withBAE Systems around theworld. We have already sup-plied reamers for the com-p a ny t o m a ke - 3 5 s i nAustralia.”

Brunswick, based at BirdsRoyd Lane, supplies cuttingtools to the general engineer-ing, automotive, aerospaceand defence industries and tooverseas markets includingEurope and the USA.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5820.41Up 23.54

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.55 dollarsBangladesh................. 106.66 takaBrazil.............................. 2.47 realsCanada....................... 1.55 dollarsChina ............................. 9.55 yuanCzech Republic ...... 26.64 korunasDenmark....................... 8.35 kroneEuro............................... 1.12 euroHong Kong................ 11.83 dollarsHungary ................... 291.82 forintsIndia.......................... 63.96 rupeesJapan........................... 126.80 yenMexico ....................... 17.68 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.94 dollarsNorway ......................... 9.18 kronePakistan.................. 129.48 rupeesPhilippines ................. 60.24 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.50 randSouth Korea.............. 1586.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 169.43 rupeesSweden....................... 10.58 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.51 francsTaiwan ...................... 42.51 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.18 new liraUSA ............................ 1.54 dollars

Carclo 203 -41/2Chapelthorpe 231/2Marshalls 107National Grid 590 +21/2Weir Gp 1706 +61

Sportingbet gets talkingONLINE bookmaker Sportingbetconfirmed talks with “differentparties” following reports the group isconsidering merging with Swedishrival Unibet.

The companies are understood tohave held preliminary discussionsabout combining to create a £600mgroup, with further talks expected incoming weeks.

Responding to media speculation,Sportingbet said that it “has had andwill continue to have discussions withdifferent parties in relation to a vari-ety of potential opportunities”.Thestatement did not rrefer to Unibetspecifically.

And it added: “There can be nocertainty as to whether or not suchdiscussions will result in any form oftransaction.”

Shares in Sportingbet climbed 5%following the statement yesterday.

But any announcement on the mer-ger is reportedly not expected untilnext year, with more talks said to beneeded before a deal can be sealed.

In September, Sportingbet agreed a£22.8m settlement with the USDepartment of Justice over an invest-igation into alleged illegal internetgambling, which analysts claimedcleared the way for potential mergersor takeovers.

Pricing policy paysoff for wine retailerMAJESTIC Wine said half-yearprofits surged by a fifth as it continuesto reap the rewards of a decision toslash its minimum order.

The group reported a 20% rise inpre-tax profits to £7.3m in the sixmonths to September 27 after a movelast September’s to cut the minimumorder from 12 bottles to six.

Majestic, which has a store atQueensgate in Huddersfield, alsorevealed a robust performance in itsFrench business after major super-markets pulled out of Calais due tofewer Britons going on “boozecruises”.

French arm Wine and Beer World,which has two stores in Calais andone in Cherbourg, increased sales by22.9% on a constant currency basis.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco both shut

stores in Calais over the past year.The weakness of the pound and an

increase in alcohol promotions in UKsupermarkets led to a reduction in thenumber of people taking boozecruises to Calais to stock up on beerand wine.

Majestic’s overall group sales roseby 10.2% to £117.6m in thehalf-year.

Despite reducing the minimumorder in September, the average trans-action only fell by 7.2% to £122.Like-for-like sales rose by 7.6%.

Sales through Wine and BeerWorld were boosted by the launch ofa guarantee that its wine prices wereat least £2 per bottle cheaper than inits UK stores.

The French stores recorded under-lying earnings of £574,000 for the

half-year – more than three times the£187,000 profits it clocked up in thesame period the previous year.

The number of customers visitingMajestic in the UK and France in thelast half-year increased by 14% to496,000.

The chain said sales of still finewine, priced at £20 per bottle orabove, increased by 20.2% and nowrepresent 5% of its sales through itsstores.

The company has introduced finewine display areas into 96 of its storesand is rolling these out to the rest ofits 160 UK stores.

Majestic said it also aims toincrease the number of its stores to250 after opening eight outlets in thepast eight months.

BHP abandons £24bn bid offerMINING giant BHP Billiton is facing a£218m hit on its failed bid for Potash-Corp after the deal was blocked bythe Canadian government.

The London-listed group with-drew its £24bn offer for the world’sbiggest fertiliser company, saying itcould not meet Canada’s stringentdemands.

BHP said the government’srequirements would have “conflic-ted with BHP Billiton’s businessstrategy and been counter to creat-ing shareholder value”.

It said the costs incurred in its bidwould be taken as an exceptionalitem in next month’s interimaccounts.

BHP, which employs 41,000people and has operations in 25countries, launched a hostile bid forCanada’s Potash in August after dir-ectors of the company refused toback its offer.

BHP wanted to snap up the groupas it believes demand for agricul-tural fertiliser ingredients will rise asthe developing world needs moremeat and plants.

The decision to abandon its bid forPotash marks the third major dealsetback for chief executive MariusKloppers – after a failure to buy RioTinto in 2008 and the decision toabandon plans for a joint venturewith the same firm last month.

Milk pricetakes tollDAIRY business RobertWiseman reported a35% fall in profits to£20.2m for the sixmonths to October 2.

The Glasgow-basedgroup said higher saleswere offset by risingcosts and moves toslash prices to competewith rivals.

MortgagedroughtHOUSEBUILDERPersimmon has failed tosee the traditionalautumn pick-up inbusiness as a shortageof mortgages hitsBritain’s property market.

The group said it hadnot experienced thenormal increase in visitorlevels and reservations inrecent months– althoughweekly sales did increasegradually in September.

Persimmon – the UK’ssecond biggesthousebuilder – joinedrivals in warning that adearth of mortgages,particularly to first timebuyers, was a “majorobstacle” for customers.

Persimmon’s tradingupdate comes on thesame day that propertywebsite Rightmove saidsellers had droppedasking prices by 3.2% inNovember – the biggestmonthly drop in askingprices in nearly threeyears.

Persimmon said itremained on course toincrease sales by 10%this year and expects tocomplete sales of all ofthe 9,400 homes it willfinish building in 2010.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £26.69 +0.11Gannett 791.68 +3.11Hess Corp £43.46 -0.14Microsoft 1639.39 +4.36Motors Liquidation 46.68Wal-Mart Stores £33.73 +0.04

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 170 -1/2BAE Systems 3521/2 +2Rolls-Royce Gp 597 -14

AIMBrady Plc 61Dawson Intl 13/4 -1/8Man Brnze 601/2

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 180 +41/8

BANKSBarclays 2821/2 +2HSBC 6813/4 +2Lloyds Banking Gp 697/8 +1/4Ryl Scotland 423/8 +3/8Stan Chart 19011/2 +71/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1168 +15SABMiller £201/4 +1/8

CHEMICALSCroda 1412 -11Elementis 98 1141/2 -11/2Johnsn Mat 1908 +6

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2843/4 -25/8Costain 223 +3

ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 3681/2 +27/8Intl Power 4201/2 -4Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1164 +3

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1353/4 -1/2

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 361 +23/8

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1691/4 +1Cable & WirelessComm

491/2 +3/8

Cable & WirelessWwide

691/8 +1/2

Colt Group 1191/2KCOM 51 +2Talktalk Telecom 1441/8 +33/8

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2781/2 +11/4Sainsbury 379 +4Tesco 4225/8 +4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1094 +7Nth Foods 451/2Tate Lyle 520 -41/2Unilever 1853 +8Uniq 73/8

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3373/4 -21/2National Grid 590 +21/2Pennon Grp 6361/2 +5Severn 1459 +15United Utils 627 -11/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 3193/8 -11/8

ICAP 4771/4 +73/4London StockExch 7401/2 +51/2Man Group 2933/4 +4Provident Financial 7431/2 +15Schroders 1619 +2Schroders NV 1277 +4

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 5391/2 -51/2REXAM 311 +21/2Smiths Grp 1195 +12

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 163/4 -1/4Carphone Whse 352 +5Dixons Retail 261/4Home Retail 2141/4 +17/8Inchcape 3371/4 +91/8Kingfisher 2425/8 +37/8M & S 4037/8 +103/4Mothercare 528 +31/2Next £215/8 +1/8WH Smith 466 +61/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 5891/2 -41/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 803/4 -41/4Barrat Dev 767/8 -23/8Persimmon 3571/4 -27/8Reckitt Benckiser £351/4Taylor Wimpey 25 -1

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 7151/2 +3I M I 841 +15

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 3923/4 +135/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION

BBA Aviation 1991/4Forth Ports 1295 -12

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 4033/4 +21/8Lgl & Gen 993/8 -3/4Old Mutual 1311/8 +3/8Prudential 623 -11/2Resolution 2495/8 +27/8Standard Life 2257/8 +1/8

MEDIABSkyB 729 +1Chrysalis 1601/4 +11/4D Mail Tst 565 +9ITV 71 +11/4Johnston Press 103/4 -1/4Pearson 949 +1Reed Elsevier 5361/2STV Group 943/4 +3/4Trinity Mirror 851/4 -11/2Utd Business 6661/2 +4UTV 1403/4 +1/4WPP 7341/2 -1Yell Group 111/8 +3/8

MININGAnglo American £303/8 +1/4Antofagasta 1438 +6BHP Billiton £24 +3/8Eurasian NaturalRes

9641/2 -11/2

Fresnillo 1453 +3Kazakhmys 1514 +16Lonmin 1838 +71Rio Tinto £431/4 +1/8VEDANTARESOURCES

£223/4 +1/8

Xstrata 1382 +11/2

MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 672 -4Vodafone Group 174 +1/8

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1582 +20RSA Insurance Gp 1267/8 -1/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 12561/2 +21/2BP 4483/4 +23/4Cairn Energy 379 +21/8Royal Dutch Shell A £201/2 +1/8Royal Dutch Shell B £201/8Total £333/4 +1/4Tullow Oil 1253 +17

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1112 +18

Petrofac 1529 +36Wood Group 4783/4 +161/8

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1020 +16PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £301/8 -1/4Axis-Shield 258 +3GlaxoSmithK XD 1Shire 1520 +4

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 507 +4Captl Shop Cent 3841/2 +15/8DTZ Hldgs 42 -2Hamrsn 419 +27/8Land Secs 6961/2 +51/2SEGRO 3021/4 +51/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1409 +20Dimension Data 1201/4 +1/4Invensys 3477/8 +291/8Logica 1261/4 -1/8Misys 2941/2 +43/8Sage Group 2651/4 +11/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBunzl 724 +8Capita 7311/2 +6Davis ServiceGroup

4043/4 -21/8

De La Rue 6281/2 -2Electrocomp 265 +51/4Experian 7191/2 +2G4S 2511/4 +31/4Hays 1097/8Homeserve 4133/4 +53/4Menzies J 508 -2Rentokil 951/2 +1Smiths News 1081/2 +1/4

Wolseley 1761 +10

IT HARDWARE

ARM Hldgs 3515/8 -21/4Psion 931/2 -1/2Spirent Comms 1501/4 +1/8

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £24Imperial Tobacco 1999 -1

LEISURE & HOTELS

Brit Airways 2703/8 +5Carnival £263/4 -1/8Compass Grp 5401/2 -11/2easyJet 4721/8 +61/8Enterprise Inns 1095/8 -11/4FirstGroup 3881/2 +21/8Go-Ahead Gp 1261 -10Greene King 4463/4 +35/8Intercontl Htls 1103 +4Ladbrokes 1343/8 +3/4Mitchells & Butlers 3431/2 +61/4Natl Express 2401/8 -11/4PartyGaming 225 +117/8Rank Org 1273/4 +3/4Stagecoach Group 206 -31/4TUI Travel 2023/4 -1Whitbread 1734 -11

INDEXFTSE 100 5820.41 +23.54

INDEXFTSE 250 10923.20 +56.71

■ CHEERS: Majestic Wine has reported a14% increase in customer numbers

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

DavidWorthington

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Managing dir-ectorAge: 45Holidays: Goa – it’s afantastic placeCar: Jaguar XKFirst job: Juniordesigner on £60 a weekBest thing aboutjob: Being in charge! Ifthere’s something I don’tlike, I can change itWorst thing aboutjob: Having to getinvolved in everything –the good things and thebad thingsBusiness tip:Remember when youwere 10 and howeverything seemed pos-sible? You have to getback into that zone

Work: Brand anddesignSite: BradleyEmployees: EightPhone: 01484 543905Email: hello@10associates.co.ukWebsite: www.10associates.co.uk

10Associates

Davidfiguresin thetop 10

THERE’S one number thatis especially significant forDavid Worthington.

At the age of 10, growingup in Liverpool, young Davidwon a prize for his paintingof a lifeboat in a competitionrun with the RNLI.

The prize was presentedby Huddersfield’s HaroldWilson, who was MP forHuyton and spent two termsas Prime Minister at 10Downing Street.

“When I was 10 I used topaint pictures and draw allthe time,” says David.

“Art provided the entrypoint into my career and myjob now as managingdirector of 10 Associates.

“After leaving school, Iwent to St Helen’s ArtCollege, which wasfabulous. I remember beingimpressed because PaulRutherford, of Frankie Goesto Hollywood, had gonethere.

“I did fine art, pottery andceramics and graphicdesign, which was greatbecause you covered all thedisciplines and found outwhich you were best at.”

David completed hisstudies and walked straightinto his first job.

He recalls: “I was beingpresented with my HND indesign on the Friday andstarted work at £60 a weekfor Whittaker WrightAssociates the followingMonday.

“I remember working onprojects such as designing abrochure for abattoirequipment – so it was hardlyglamorous!”

However, David soon felthe had been chosen forgreater things.

He says: “One day, theboss took me to one sideand said ‘I cannot reallyafford to pay you more, but Icannot afford to lose you, soI’m increasing your pay to£90 a week.’

“It was only later I foundout he’d said the same toeveryone on the staff andeveryone was on £90 aweek.”

David’s next big breakcame with a move toYorkshire and thefast-growing Judith DonovanAssociates in Bradford.

“I applied for a job asdesigner and they gave mea job as senior designer,” hesays. “It was a very bigorganisation, which hadcreated a big industry indirect mail and it was verysuccessful.”

Now living inHuddersfield, David went onto join Pillings CreativeCommunications in Elland,working on accountsincluding Yorkshire Bank,before being maderedundant – just as he andhis wife were raising afamily. Suddenly, money wastight.

He says: “We wentshopping at Iceland andbought ‘Thrifty Mince’. I wasdefinitely at a low point!”

Fortunes changed whenDavid landed a job at ADM,based at Dogley Mills,Fenay Bridge, and met twopeople destined to play a bigpart in his future – Jill Peeland Linda Bottomley.Together, they would go onto launch 10 Associates.

Says David: “I was seniordesigner and accountexecutive at ADM while Jill,who regularly won designawards, was creative directorand Linda was studiomanager. We made a goodteam combining sales,design and artwork.”

All three moved to anothercompany, Bluedoor, based inHeckmondwike, but afterthree years decided theirdestiny lay in working forthemselves.

“We decided we wanted toset up our own businessbefore we reached 35,” saysDavid. Thus, 10 Associateswas born.

The new company beganin start-up accommodation atthe Media Centre. SaysDavid: “It meant we couldjust ‘plug and play’.

“It was a great opportunityfor us to be in the towncentre and close to thestation to get to Leeds andManchester.”

In 2007, the companymoved to its present addressat Bradley Business Park,where it now has a staff ofeight.

“We needed to move and

‘grow up’ as a businesswithout having the MediaCentre hold our hands,” saysDavid.

“We were in a start-up unitsurrounded by people in theirlate teens and we were in ourmid-30s.”

Just how much they havegrown up was brought hometo the team when David andJill were listed in the 2009Who’s Who of Britain’sBusiness Elite.

The company also set upBrandschool to offerbusinesses half-day orfull-day courses explaining tothem the principles of buildinga brand identity – and turningtheir products or services intohousehold names.

Brandschool uses a10-point master plan as thecurriculum to explain the keyprinciples of branding – allwithout the buzzwords, jargonand hype that often get in theway of understanding andapplication.

Delegates on theBrandschool course are set“homework” and Davidextends the classroommetaphor further by wearinga prefect badge. Although, inthis case, the badge says“Perfect”.

Says David: “Brandschoolis for people who do notunderstand what brandingmeans, who think it is just alogo.

“But branding correctly willshow a return on investmentand adds to the bottom line.

“It is about turning thebusiness into the brand andmaking sure the brand runsthrough the business.

“Brandschool aims to turnall of a company’s employeesinto brand advocates andempower them.

“Once people buy into it,branding makes the businessmore successful.”

He adds: “It is all aboutshowing that everything ispossible.

“When you are 10 yearsold, anything is possible.

“As you get older – inbusiness as in life – you start

saying there are thingsyou cannot do. You needto get back to being 10.”

Bradschool and 10Associate’s way of workinghas helped re-energisecompanies including BlackCat Fireworks at CroslandMoor, Halifax-based onlinelearning company Frog,interiors business Graham& Brown and online luxurygiftware business IsabellaStafford – as well asorganisations ranging fromlaw firms and clothesshops to photographystudios and funeraldirectors.

The latest deal to takeoff involves 10 Associatesworking on the brandingfor Leeds-BradfordInternational Airport.

Despite being as busyas ever, David still findstime for other interests.

A keen supporter ofLiverpool FC, he alsoenjoys holidays off the

beaten track, visitingBarbados, Goa andGambia to sample thelocal culture.

David also retains hisfondness for the arts –visiting museums, going tothe Lawrence BatleyTheatre and collecting artwork. His recentacquisitions include workby local artist DarrenBaker.

One recent purchasehas been given pride ofplace in the companyboardroom. Binary Man isthe title of a life-size metalfigure made up of thenumbers 1 and 0.Together, of course, theycan read as “10”.

And that’s definitelybeen David’s luckynumber.

■ FIGURED OUT: DavidWorthington, 10 Associates,with his Binary Man sculpture

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Website offersa new InsightA BUSINESS transformationspecialist has got a new look foritself.IBarkisland-based Insight withPassion has unveiled a website,which is already proving to be awinner.It has also set up a blog, calledThe Insight with Passion Effect,which is aimed at leadershipsteams across a wide range ofindustries.The blog offers a unique insightinto the boutique service offeredby IwP along with level-headedadvice on businesstransformation across a broadselection of aspects includinghuman resources, businesscommunications and businessstrategy.The new website includes amonthly newsletter providing aregular update of activities atInsight with Passion, events, newappointments and articles andtips.

Time to addresspensions problemEMPLOYERS across Kirklees have been urgedto take action following a ruling that firms mustcontribute to their employees’ pension funds.

For the first time ever, employers will berequired to automatically enrol eligible employeesinto a pension scheme and pay contributions forthem. The ruling will apply to all employers andthere will be no exemption based on the size of theemployer.

Karen Wynard, head of corporate services atEastwood & Partners (Financial Services) Ltd inElland, said: “Employer duties will be phased inover a four year period, starting with the largeremployers, from, October, 2012, to 2016.

“The Pensions Regulator will be responsible forcompliance with the new regime and will write toeach employer 12 months and three months inadvance of their staging date to advise them oftheir duties.

“By October 2017, employers will be requiredto contribute 3% of an employee’s ‘qualifyingearnings’ and the employee will be required tocontribute 4%. Tax relief of 1% will then be addedto make a total minimum contribution of 8% ofqualifying earnings.”

Karen said contributions would be phased inover a five-year period starting with 1% employerand 1% employee from October, 2012, to Septem-ber 2016; then increasing to 2% employer and 3%employee (October, 2016, to September, 2017);before finally reaching the full 3% employer and5% employee in October, 2017. The employeecontribution figures quoted include tax relief.

Qualifying earnings in 2010/11 terms are allemployee earnings between the National Insur-ance primary threshold – £5,715 in 2010/11 – andan upper limit of £38,185 in 2010/11.

Employees eligible for auto enrolment will bethose who are aged between 22 and state pensionage with earnings equal to or greater than thepersonal allowance (£7,475 from 2011/12). Alleligible employees, whether they are full time, parttime, temporary or fixed term contract workerswill need to be auto enrolled within 3 months ofbecoming eligible.

Karen said agency workers will be treated asemployees of whoever pays or is responsible forpaying them for their work.

“Employers will need to auto enrol eligibleemployees into a Qualifying Workplace PensionScheme,” she said. “This can be their own privatescheme or the government built scheme, theNational Employment Savings Trust.

“Alternatively, a combination of the two can beused. There are various differences betweenprivate provision and the government scheme andbefore making a decision, employers would bewell advised to consult an independent financialadviser in order to weigh up the advantages anddisadvantages of the two options.”

Said Karen: “These reforms are less than twoyears away and will have a big impact on futurebusiness planning. The reforms are going tohappen and employers need to start consideringtheir options sooner rather than later.”

Nick Brook, of small business tax and account-

ancy firm TaxAssist Accountants in Hudders-field, said that although the new law would bephased in, it was vital to get schemes in place.

He said: “Yorkshire small businesses shouldput their own pension scheme in place for employ-ees, rather than rely on Government schemes,which may not be the best solution for theircompany.

“Even if businesses already have a workplacepension scheme, it may have to change to complywith the new law. Owner managers across York-shire will want to keep control of their employeebenefits packages.”

Agency hitsnew heightsA DESIGN consultancy inHuddersfield has joined forceswith a Barnsley-based architect topromote a new boutique ski chaletin Switzerland.Lepton-based Blacksmith DesignConsultancy, which has a growingreputation for slick website design,took up the challenge of working ina new market sector aftermanaging director Neil Smithreceived a request for help fromlongstanding client Chris Carr.Chris, who runs an architectspractice, sought help in marketinghis beautiful Alpine home to adiscerning clientele – and calledon the design expertise of Neil andhis team at Blacksmith.Said Chris: “I have worked withNeil on various projects over thelast 20 years and knew that hisexpertise and enthusiasm wouldhelp steer the project in the rightdirection.“Neil and his team have created avery special website and providedinvaluable advice with regards toobtaining press coverage, that wehope will help us to attract thediscerning customers that weseek.”Neil said: “The brief to promote anoutstanding luxury chalet for Chriscame totally out of the blue but hasbeen an absolute joy to work on.“The results speak for themselvesand we are genuinely very proud ofthe website we have created.”Chalet Charr is a contemporarymountain retreat in the little knownregion of Val d’Anniviers. FromJanuary, 2011, it will be available torent, on an exclusive, fully cateredbasis for about eight weeks a year.

■ GROWTH FUND: New rules have put a dutyon bosses in relation to employee pensions

Bank emerges on topSTAFF at the Huddersfieldbranch of Handelsbanken arecelebrating after the banktopped a national opinion pollfor customer satisfaction for thesecond year running.

The survey of the UK bank-ing sector by EPSI Ratingshowed the Swedish-basedbank rated “significantly higherthan the national average” forcustomer satisfaction, thankspartly to its decentralisedapproach which allows branchmanagers to make decisions.

H a n d e l s b a n ke n , wh i c hemploys five staff at its offices atPennine Business Park, Brad-ley, was ranked top by both itsbusiness and personal custom-ers in terms of satisfaction andfor customer loyalty.

The survey follows recordgrowth in the UK for the bank,

which has opened 21 branchesin 2010 along with its thirdregional head office in Birming-ham.

Tony Jones, branch managerof Handelsbanken Hudders-field, said: “To be ranked topfor the second year running inan independent customer satis-faction survey is very importantfor a relationship bank likeours.

“We have been running thebank according to the sameprinciples for the last 40 yearsand it appears that our decent-ralised and customer-orientatedmodel is more appreciated nowthan ever.”

The Huddersfield branch wasthe 54th UK branch to open in2008 and is now one of morethan 80 across England, Walesand Scotland.

■ PRINCIPLES: Branchmanager Tony Jones

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

RISKYBUSINESSMark Dalton

Mark Dalton is associate director at Wilby Ltd

Simon Kaye is divisional director at Rensburg SheppardsInvestment Management

CITYTALKSimon Kaye

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Health officialsturn up the heaton fire safety

Jackson means business

QE2 puts onthe pressureSEEMINGLY bewitched by

the huge numbersinvolved, the financial pressand the media in the widerworld are full of commentaryabout the importance of asecond round of “quantitativeeasing” in ensuring the con-tinuation of the developedworld’s recovery from the fin-ancial crisis.

Ostensibly, there is clear logic tothe decision by the American Fed-eral Reserve to purchase an addi-tional 600bn dollars of longer-termUS treasury securities over thecoming 12 months, supplementedby an explicit undertaking tore-invest the proceeds of “matur-ing” treasury bonds and mort-gage-backed securities back intotreasury markets.

The policy is designed to achievetwo things.

Firstly, to reassure risk-takersthat the Federal Reserve is still100% committed to seeing thattaking “risk” will be rewarded – orat least that avoiding risk will not.

Secondly, to ensure that the Fed-eral Reserve has the flexibility tomanage its exit from the role oftemporary custodian of the“shadow banking system” to cor-respond to the private sector’sappetite to resume lending in com-pensation.

Both of these policy implicationsare very much domesticallyfocused and we concur that “QE2”is a good idea for both of thesereasons.

As a reminder, QE1 was theprogramme by which the FederalReserve assumed responsibility for

the shadow banking system in thefirst place.

However, QE2 could also be seento serve a different purpose.

Without wishing to ascribe tooMachiavellian a motive to theAmerican central bank, we believethat the policy has significant inter-national ramifications.

Specifically, we think that itserves a useful purpose in ratchet-ing up the pressure on China toease the currency peg relative to theUS Dollar – a point of rapidlyincreasing polit ical frictionbetween the two superpowers inrecent times.

How does QE2 serve this pur-pose? The mechanism is indirect,but in a nutshell QE2 is a policythat puts heavy downward pressureon the Dollar and conversely putsupward pressure on the Dollarprice of commodities.

Since the Yuan is tightly peggedagainst the Dollar, this also dragsthe value of the Yuan downwardsrelative to commodities and toother currencies.

This in turn has two negativeeffects from China’s perspective.

Firstly, it directly increases infla-

tionary pressures in China,something to which the authoritiesare acutely sensitive given the highproportion of consumer pay pack-ets that are spent on basic needs.

Secondly, it increases peer pres-sure from China’s non-US tradingpartners to decouple from the Dol-lar and allow the Yuan to appreci-ate.

In previous articles, we haveindicated how important webelieve it is that China shouldadopt a more flexible exchange ratepolicy.

Such a move would encouragemore balanced global growth,rather than the heavily polarisedpattern that is currently in evidenceand which is raising the risk of apolitical back-lash from thedeveloped world.

The implementation of QE2 inthe US looks to be sending a hardermessage to China that time is run-ning out to reach a more mutuallyacceptable currency regime.

If this covert message from theFed is received better than the overtovertures made prior to the G20,we would regard it as a success.

FORMER Town manager PeterJackson (pictured) returns to theGalpharm Stadium as one of theguest speakers at a meeting of theYorkshire Business Forum laterthis month.

The Fantastic Media Suite is thevenue for the event, which takesplace from 5pm to 7.30pm onTuesday, November 23. Thoseattending will also get acomplimentary ticket for the matchbetween Huddersfield and MKDons, which kicks off 15 minutesafter the meeting.

The forum, which is sponsoredby law firm Chadwick Lawrence,offers the chance for delegates tohear some of the region's foremostbusinesses and sport personalities

– and get an insight into theirviews, experiences and businesspractices.

Town commercial director Sean

Jarvis will welcome attendees andintroduce Adam Smith, of BDO,who will speak about identity fraud.

Jeremy Garside, managingpartner of Chadwick Lawrence, willalso speak before the audiencehears from former Town bossturned businessman PeterJackson, who will take part in aquestion and answer session.

Town ambassador Andy Boothwill also provide a quick pre-matchanalysis and his own Q&A session.A buffet and networkingopportunities will follow the biggame.

Contact Tracy Nelson on 01484484141 or email sales@htafc.comfor details.

THE Health and SafetyExecutive has published

new guidance on fire safetyin construction.

Each year there are thousandsof fires on construction sites,potentially putting the lives ofworkers and members of thepublic at risk.

In 2009/10, there were 15 fireswhich resulted in the site beingshut for more than 24 hours.

The new guidance is aboutpreventing fires from startingand ensuring people's safety ifthey do.

Relevant to all constructionprojects, including small refur-bishment sites, the guidance isaimed at all those with a role fordeveloping and managing con-struction sites, including clientsand designers.

Much of what is contained inthe guidance is not new.

However, the sections cover-ing multi-storey buildings andhigh risk building, such as tim-b e r f r a m e , h a v e b e e nstrengthened to include lessonslearned from recent fires.

Fire safety should be a keyconsideration on all construc-tion sites, irrespective of size orthe duration of the project.

The combination of high-riskactivities, such as hot work, withcircumstances where fires canspread quickly and means ofescape may be difficult, can

make them deadly.The publication contains new

and detailed guidance on the firerisks and precautions whichshould be considered from theearliest stages of such a project.

The guidance asks that clientsand designers consider carefullythe specific site, location anddevelopment – not forgettingthe fire risks it poses to those onsite and neighbouring properties– and ensure those risks areminimised.

Fur ther adv ice can beobtained from Wilby Ltd’s riskmanagement consultants, whoare experienced in and canprovide a full range of servicesto their clients, keeping themfully aware of the potential risksthat exist on their premises.

When you choose Wilby asyour risk management consult-ants, they will make every effortto ensure you are successfullyguided through existing UKhealth and safety legislation,explaining everything that atfirst appears unclear and help-ing you protect yourself andyour employees from seriousaccident and injury.

The HSE publication is free todownload on the HSE websitehttp://www.hse.gov.uk

For more information andadvice, contact Mark Dalton on01422 358525

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

Caterers serveup a big move

Agency seeks top offers for pubsA HUDDERSFIELD pub isone of three WestYorkshire hostelries to goon the market withspecialist propertyconsultancy ColliersInternational.

The Bridge atManchester Road,Longroyd Bridge, is up forsale with a £150,000 pricetag. The property includesa lounge bar, kitchen, utilityprovisions and threebedroom managers’accommodation.

Final and best offers arerequested by 5pmtomorrow.

The Crown & Anchor atMixenden, Halifax, is also

up for sale with a £115,000price tag.

The pub is a largedetached property in arural location. ColliersInternational said thebuilding would be also besuitable for other uses.

Offers are also invited forthe freehold of The OrangeTree on Cross Street inHalifax town centreopposite the busstation. The property isalso suitable for alternativeuse.

All three properties arebeing marketed on theinstruction of BDOfollowing the administrationof The Lighthouse Pub Co.

■ LAST ORDERS: Colliers International has set adeadline of 5pm tomorrow for final and best offers onThe Bridge pub

Building forthe futureCONSTRUCTION firms in Kirklees are setfor a briefing on sustainable building.A high-profile conference has beenorganised by Kirklees Council’sconstruction industry initiative Build andthe Centre of Knowledge Exchange atLeeds Metropolitan University.It is supported by Wates Living Space andwill include presentations from severalhigh profile companies including architectpractice Aedas, Leeds EnvironmentalDesign Associates, Leeds MetropolitanUniversity, estate agency Carter Jonas,the National House-Building Council andthe Community Agency.The event, entitled The Green Vision:Sustainable Building Conference, will takeplace on Wednesday, November 24, atHuddersfield’s Textile Centre ofExcellence.Speakers will include Paul Davies,sustainable technologies manager fromWates, who will talk about opportunitiesin the sustainable building sector andprovide practical tips on winningcontracts.Rob Lockey, training services manager atNHBC, will also be speaking on skills inthe industry.Delegates will learn about how they canprepare for the introduction of the 2016zero carbon building regulations and theopportunities this will bring toconstruction companies.The conference will give smallerconstruction companies the chance tomeet the large contractors in the sector –offering them a chance to develop newrelationships, show what skills andexpertise they have and look at how theycan work together to develop morebusiness.Kirklees Council leader Clr MehboobKhan said: “It is important thatconstruction businesses in Yorkshire, andespecially in Kirklees, seize the emergingopportunities in sustainable construction.“The conference will give constructioncompanies the tools and information theyneed to expand into this sector and I hopecompanies across Yorkshire will attendthis valuable event and learn more aboutthe opportunities available to them.”Claire Walker, manager at the Centre forKnowledge Exchange, said: “As initiatingpartner of Green Vision I am excited to beworking with Build this year.Go to www.green-vision.org.uk/hudds

■ COFFEE TIME: Natalie Robertshaw (left and below) with (from left) catering assistants HeatherScotter, Claire Bennett and Sally Brook and fellow director Lorna Bonds at the Bradley shop

A CATERING company celeb-rating 25 years in business hasadded a new ingredient.

Gingham Caterers has built upa successful business providingbuffets and sit-down meals forweddings, birthday parties, busi-ness meetings and other corporateevents.

Now joint directors NatalieRobertshaw and her motherLorna Bonds have opened GC’sCoffee House at Bradley BusinessPark, Bradley, to provide a “shop-front” for the business and a wel-coming environment for workersat firms based on the office parkas well as passing customers..

G i n g h a m C a t e r e r s w a slaunched by Lorna in 1985 as TheBox of Delights, a sandwich shopat Lockwood Road, Lockwood.

Later, the company set up itsoutside catering business and intime moved out of Lockwood toFartown to concentrate entirelyon outside catering.

Natalie, who has also beeninvolved in the business since itslaunch, said: “My mum got somany enquiries about outsidecatering, she moved and didn’thave a shopfront.

“But more recently, we havebeen looking for premises to opena coffee house to raise the profileof the business and provide some-where for people to sit and enjoyour home-made and home-bakedfood.”

The Coffee House offers sand-wiches, savouries and salads to eatin or take out – as well as all-daybreakfasts and afternoon tea.

The company has nine staff,including casuals, who are deckedout in the company colours ofyellow and black. Members of thefamily also rally round to help at

busy times, said Natalie.“Weddings are one of our speci-

alities,” she added. “There is aneight-week period during thesummer when we are usually fullybooked. We are also currentlytaking bookings for Christmas,when we expect to be very busy.”

The catering arm also coversfunerals, christenings, corporateevents and sportsmen’s dinners.Several organisations use the out-side catering service regularly,including Kirklees Council.

Natalie said the business had sofar weathered the recession and –having invested in the coffee houseat Bradley – was looking toincrease its customer base in thecoming months.

Modern Industrial Units To Let

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • AGENTS • CONSULTANT • ADVISOR

TRAFALGAR MILLS • LEEDS ROAD • HUDDERSFIELD • HD2 1YY

Units 9 and 10

From 10,322 to 13,706sq ft

Secure site which benefitsfrom CCTV monitoring.Ideally situated for M62, on amain road location. Termsavailable on application.

Contact: Christine EcclestonMB Services01484 557102

Paul AndrewWalker Singleton01484 477600

Fieldhouse Park, Leeds Road, Huddersfield

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

More of us aregoing for brokePAWNBROKING businesseshave expanded in the wake ofbank branch closures acrossYorkshire, according to areport.

Figures from The LocalData Company show that thenumber of pawnbrokers onthe region’s high streets hasrisen by 29% from 46 to 75since 2008.

During the same period, thenumber of bank branches hasfallen by 14% from 429 to415.

Nationally, the number ofpawnbroking sites has risen by44% from 482 to 694 while thenumber of bank branches hasslipped by 1% from 5,226 to5,183.

The top towns in Yorkshirefor pawnbroking outlets areDoncaster with six and Brad-ford and Wakefield, with fiveeach. Central London leadsthe way across Great Britainwith 21 followed by Glasgowon 10 and Brighton & Hoveon eight.

The survey conducted byThe Local Data Companyand PricewaterhouseCoopersshowed the number of pawn-broking outlets rose in each of11 regions, but the number ofbank branches increased inonly three – Scotland, easternEngland and the south-east.

Matthew Hopkins, directorat The Local Data Company,said: “The growth and spreadof pawnbrokers from being aside street ‘shadowy’ activity

into mainstream fast-growingretailer is newsworthy.

“This sector has shown howit can take advantage of arecession and turn in into aboom.”

Last month, Albermarleand Bond Holdings under-lined the “changing face” ofthe industry after becomingthe first to join the UK’s mainretail trade body.

The group became the firstpawnbroking business to join

the British Retail Consortium,which lobbies Government onbehalf of retailers.

The membership covers 140Albermarle and Bond andHerbert Brown stores whicho f f e r p a w n b r o k i n g ,short-term loans, gold-buyingand jewellery retailing.

Twenty of the stores openedin the past 12 months and thecompany has just postedrecord profits.

Property forum set to meetBUSINESS experts are setto highlight issues facingthe commercial propertysector as the Yorkshireeconomy emerges from thesharpest downturn inhistory.The event, called The Stateof Play – Property AnotherYear On, will featurepresentations from expertsat PKF (UK), Lambert SmithHampton, Irwin Mitchelland Yorkshire Bank, as wellas guest speaker MartinFarrington, director of citydevelopment at Leeds CityCouncil.

Paul Clarke, partner at PKF,said: “The ever-changingpolitical and economiclandscape hasunderstandably had asignificant impact onYorkshire’s commercialproperty sector over thelast two years, with the fulleffects of the Government’scontroversial SpendingReview still to materialise.“On a more positive note,as with previousdownturns, there areopportunities to be had forthose businesses withentrepreneurial spirit.

However, different workingpractices will need to beadopted if they are to trulycapitalise on them.“This seminar provides anopportunity for localbusinesses to hear fromexperts across the sectoron the emergingopportunities and discussand debate the underlyingissues in greater detail.”The free seminar getsunder way at 8.30am onThursday at Thorpe ParkHotel in Leeds. Emaillucia.chow@uk.pkf.com orcall 0113 228 000.

■ STREET SCENE: Herbert Brown pawnbroker in KingStreet, Huddersfield

Firm has Vision to acquire unitTHE industrial agency teamat CB Richard Ellis hascompleted another sale.

The team, acting for aprivate investor, has sold a6,309sq ft industrial unit onWortley Moor Lane, Leeds, tospecialist lighting companyVision Depot Ltd for an

undisclosed sum.The self-contained

detached industrialwarehouse was previouslyoccupied by scaffold hirecompany Access Brands.Several interested partiessubmitted offers for thefreehold and Vision Depot Ltd

was successful in securingthe deal.

Daniel Austin, seniorsurveyor at CB Richard Ellis,said interest in the propertywas high because fallingvalues had led to a shortageof sub 10,000sq ft freeholdopportunities.

To LeTModern Workshop UnitUnit B, Brockholes Business Park,Huddersfield, HD9 7BN1 307m2 (3,308 sq ft)1 Prominent location along the A616 New Mill Road1Ample car parking and yardRental: on Application

FoR SALe – New INSTRUcTIoN

Retail Unit with Apartment77/77a Lidget Street, Lindley, Huddersfield, HD3 3JP1Ground floor retail unit1 32.5m2 (350 sq ft)1With self contained first floor apartmentoffers in the region of £170,000

To LeTModern Industrial/Warehouse Unitwith Private YardUnit 5, Brookfield works, Quebec Street,elland, HX5 9AS1 160.88 (1,732 sq ft) (Eaves height of approx 4m)1 Popular location, close to J24 of M62 motorway1Open plan unit with new block built office and canteen1 SCF, halogen box lighting and roof lightsRent: £9,000 pax

FoR SALeCar Sales & MOT Stationwell Lane, Batley, wF17 5HQ1Garage and substantial car display area1 378m2 (4,071 sq ft)1 Site area of 0.22 ha (0.54 acres) approx1 Edge of town centre locationPrice: on Application

To LeTModern Office AccommodationUnit 1, cartwright court,Bradley Business Park, Huddersfield, HD2 1GN1High quality, modern office accommodation1Generous car parking provision1 Ease of access to J24 and J25 of the M621 94 – 205m2 (1,000 – 2,200 sq ft)Rental: on Application

To LeTDetached Industrial Warehouse UnitUnit H3, Premier way, Lowfields Business Park,elland, HX5 9HF1Modern detached industrial warehouse unit1 Two storey offices1 Eaves height of 6.50m1Warehouse heating via gas fired ducted warm air1 Three electronically operated up and over doorsRental: on Application

To LeTHigh Quality Officeselant House, old Power way,Lowfields Business Park, elland, HX5 9De1High quality offices1Generous car parking provision1 6,900 – 13,800 sq ft1Air conditioning, raised floors1 8 person passenger liftRental: on Application

To LeTCharacter Town Centre Offices10 New North Parade, Huddersfield, HD1 5JP1Attractive character town centre offices1 66.1m2 (712 sq ft)1Newly refurbishedRental: on Application

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Ian Harrington & Lee Rhodes

EddisonsPROPERTY agent Eddisons hasappointed Ian Harrington (right,above) as national head of itsbuilding and project consultancydepartment and Lee Rhodes(right, below) as senior surveyor.

Both have joined Eddisonsfrom DTZ.

Eddisons managing directorNigel McDonald said: “Ian andLee bring with them a wealth ofexpertise.

“Their appointmentsdemonstrate our commitment toexpanding this area of thebusiness and enhancing thequality of service we offerclients.”

Eddisons, which has offices atHuddersfield and eight sitesnationwide, also announced thatDavid Wood has moved from thefirm’s Leeds office to Manchester. He will headthe building and project consultancy teamcovering the north-west.

Michael Hodgson

Approach PRA PUBLIC relations agencyheaded by a Gomersal womanhas added another recruit to theteam.

Michael Hodgson, 21, joinsApproach PR on a one-yearwork placement as part of afour-year sandwich degree atLeeds Metropolitan University.

Mr Hodgson (pictured), amarketing student fromHuddersfield, will provide junior account executivesupport for clients such as ALNO group,Délifrance UK and Halo furniture, as well astaking an administrative role in the company.

Approach PR was established in 2001 bySuzanne Johns in Cleckheaton and moved toLittle Germany, Bradford, in 2006

Ruth Allen

Yorkshire BankYORKSHIRE Bank has appointed a new businessbanking partner at its Bradford-based WestYorkshire Financial Solutions Centre.

Ruth Allen, 27, of Leeds, has joined the13-strong Kirklees and Calderdale team led bysenior partner, Kevin Newson.

Ms Allen joined Yorkshire Bank’s NewcastleFSC in 2007 on its graduate scheme after gaininga marketing degree at Newcastle University. Shelater worked in the credit department at YorkshireBank’s headquarters in Merrion Way, Leeds.

Kate Barker

Yorkshire BSA FORMER member of the Bank of England’sMonetary Policy Committee has been appointeda non-executive director of Yorkshire BuildingSociety.

Kate Barker, 53, was previously on the board ofthe Bradford-based society, which has its roots inHuddersfield. She stepped down when shebecame a member of the MPC in 2001, whereshe remained a committee member until May,2010. Before joining the MPC, she was chiefeconomic adviser to the CBI.

Ms Barker was awarded the CBE in 2006 forservices to social housing. She is a former boardmember of the Housing Corporation and is nowon the board of one of its successor bodies, theHomes and Communities Agency.

In a league of their own!

LOGISTICS company The Pink Linkhas been handed a preciousconsignment.

The Netherton-based firm has beenrecognised for achieving the highestpossible standards of customer serviceby international logistics networkPalletways.

Europe’s market leader in theexpress distribution of smallconsignments of palletised freight,Palletways launched a nationwidePartnership League in 2007 torecognise the quality of commitmentand co-operation amongst its networkof more than 100 members.

The assessment process is based

on categories such as delivery timesand health and safety compliance.

The Pink Link collects and deliverssmall consignments of palletised freightto customers in the BD, HD and HXpostcode areas, and has been praisedfor maintaining top levels of serviceacross the board.

Richard Allen, principal of The PinkLink, said: “Our Platinum status istestament to the hard work of all mycolleagues at The Pink Link.

“The Palletways Partnership Leagueprovides a benchmark for consistenthigh service levels and demonstratesour commitment to both quality andcost-efficiency.”

Life comesfull circlefor SandraTWENTY years ago,Sandra Babbings wasbusy looking after thehealth of the workforce atHuddersfield motor man-ufacturer Brook Cromp-ton.

Now life has come fullcircle – as her occupationhealth business opens newheadquarters and a healthacademy at the self-sameoffices in the old BrookCrompton building at StThomas. Road, LongroydBridge.

Working in occupa-tional health at the nowdefunct engineering firmmade such an impressiono n S a n d ra t h at s h edecided to make it hercareer.

It took a few moreyears, but from these earlydays and experiencescame an occupationalhealth management com-pany called PROHMS.

Said Sandra: “Over thelast few years, PROHMShas gone from strength to

strength and provided sig-nificant employment in anarea of healthcare that isbecoming crucial to for-ward-thinking companieswishing to look after themost valued asset – theirpeople!”

PROHMS now hasother d iv i s ions thatinclude physiotherapy, ahealth retreat at Hoy-landswaine, near Pen-istone, and a criticalincident division to assistbusinesses when they gothrough major traumasuch as serious industrialacc idents and othercrises.

The new PROHMSHealth Academy aims toimprove the regions’health with programmesdesigned for every desiredhealth outcome.

In conjunction withMatt Coulson, the localfitness guru, Sandra hastaken the health of theregions’ people to newheights. ■ HOME GROUND: Sandra Babcock, of PROHMS

■ PALLET PALS: Richard Allen (middle) from The Pink Link accepts thePlatinum award from Palletways managing director, Craig Hibbert and thePalletways dragon mascot, Slick

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