KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees29, Januar y, 2013

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An EXAMINER publication

Focus ontrainingA BRIGHOUSE-basedcompany hosted anevent to promoteapprenticeships. CalderValley MP CraigWhittaker and theMayor and Mayoress ofCalderdale, Clr JohnHardy and his wife,Janet, were amongguests at the open dayhosted by electricaldesign and installationcompany ProjexSolutions. The eventincluded a debateabout apprenticeshipsand how they helpYorkshire firms grow.

ManagersmatterCOMPANIES mustinvest in theirmanagers if they are toimprove their fortunesduring the currenteconomic slump, saysa Huddersfield-basedconsultant. DavidBroadhead, of Partnersin Management, saidcompanies needed tofocus on managers andother senior staff.,saying people were theessential ingredient forall organisations – butusually got the leastinvestment.

COLIN BARRATT

exam

iner

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uk Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

FTSE 100+ 9.966294.41

VERONICA BALDWIN

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

Firms spell outgrowth strategyTHE fastest-growing firms in the UKare focusing on new markets, productsand services to deliver up to 20%growth, according to new research.

B u s i n e s s c o a c h i n g s e r v i c eGrowthAccelerator, which aims tohelp Kirklees firms become the best inBritain, carried out a survey amongthe first 2,000 companies registered forsupport under the scheme to help themachieve their full potential.

It found that one in five firms arepinning their growth hopes on expan-sion into new markets, while a similarproportion aim to diversify their rangeof products.

One in 10 aim to improve the level ofservice they provide.

Businesses surveyed cited sales,strategy and marketing as the biggestobstacles to growth – challenges thatGrowthAccelerator hopes to over-come as its growth managers acrossthe country match businesses withskilled coaches to help them growmore quickly.

Simon Littlewood, director atGrowthAccelerator, said: “To deliversignificant growth, most companiesneed to do something differently – bethat embracing new markets or diver-sifying their product range or improv-

ing service.“Doing this unsupported can prove

challenging, so we’re delighted toalready be helping more than 2,500businesses innovate to grow.

“Our growth managers are helpingidentify the growth opportunity andmatching businesses with expertcoaches to fulfil growth potential.”

The analysis of the GrowthAcceler-ator businesses also found that lookingat different sectors and clients presen-ted high growth opportunities.

Additional barriers for growth werecited as planning, management andaccess to finance.

Mr Littlewood said: “In recession-ary times when budgets are hard tofind, investing in external advice andtraining can make all the differenceand deliver real growth.

“Businesses are taking advantage ofthe £7.5m GrowthAccelerator to sup-port training budgets and bolsterin-house expertise.

“Use of this funding is enablingthem to deliver both considerablegrowth and increased staff motivationand loyalty.”

A poll undertaken on behalf ofGrowthAccelerator talking to busi-nesses who had either achieved 20%

growth in the last three years or whoare on track to deliver 20% growth in2013 found five key areas contributingto their success.

Some 23% were working collaborat-ively with like-minded businesses orpartners while 17% had secured accessto finance.

Some 14% pinpointed training and

development of employees as crucialwhile 13% cited advice and coachingand 8% said their success was due tobeing established in a growthindustry.

GrowthAccelerator has beenlaunched by the Government to focuson small and medium-sized businesseswith the potential for rapid and sus-tained growth – to double theirturnover in the next three or four yearsand achieve a growth rate of 20%year-on-year.

The UK-wide programme, whichcan apply to firms in any sector, hasbeen backed by a £200m investment bythe Department for Business, Innova-tion and Skills and is being delivered inthe Kirklees area by Leeds-based busi-ness improvement specialist WinningPitch.

The firm specialises in helping busi-nesses develop through marketing,team building, personal developmentand customised training programmes.

C o m p a n i e s e l i g i b l e fo r t h eGrowthAccelerator programme haveto be registered limited companiesbased in England, employ fewer than250 people and have turnover below£400m.

Go to www.growthaccelerator.com

Survey detects signs of recoveryTHE Yorkshire economy is showingsigns of a “tentative recovery” –according to a survey conducted by aHuddersfield law firm.

The latest six-monthly EconomicReport by Baxter Caulfield showsthat the final two quarters of 2012saw growth in the economic activityof the region’s private sector com-panies.

The firm has carried out anin-depth evaluation of announce-ments made by businesses in theregion covering job creation, newinvestment and contract wins.

Stephen Newman, senior partnerat the Station Street firm, said: “Theresults of the research make for pos-itive reading, showing that the

skilled, forward-thinking nature ofcompanies in the region attractsinvestment, bringing in new con-tracts and from that, creating jobs.”

The research reveals that privatesector employers in the region cre-ated 8,532 jobs during the secondhalf of 2012 while new investmenttotalled almost £260m during thesame period.

Mr Newman said: “The final sixmonths of 2012 proved to be success-ful for the region, especially with thecreation of so many new jobs acrossall industries.

“The early part of 2013 alone hasseen several big name casualties,especially on the high street.

“So, for businesses in Yorkshire

and the Humber to be soldiering onand still managing to invest and takeon new staff when others are shed-ding shows real commitment anddetermination and makes me veryproud of this region.

“Despite these results, of course,businesses cannot afford to take theirfoot off the gas.

“It is still an extremely tough eco-nomic climate out there.

“But the region’s businesses shouldhold their heads up high as they helpto drag us through the gloom of thefinancial winter.

“It is early days, but the greenshoots of spring may just be startingto show.”■ POSITIVE PICTURE: Baxter Caulfield

senior partner Stephen Newman

The job’s a good ‘un

■ INNOVATE: Simon Littlewood,director at GrowthAccelerator

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

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TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.43 dollarsBangladesh................. 117.64 takaBrazil.............................. 2.85 realsCanada....................... 1.51 dollarsChina ............................. 8.74 yuanCzech Republic ...... 27.45 korunasDenmark....................... 8.30 kroneEuro............................... 1.12 euroHong Kong................ 11.57 dollarsHungary ................... 312.08 forintsIndia.......................... 74.59 rupeesJapan........................... 135.67 yenMexico ....................... 17.83 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.76 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.30 kronePakistan.................. 144.54 rupeesPhilippines ................. 55.02 pesosSouth Africa ................. 13.21 randSouth Korea.............. 1497.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 188.53 rupeesSweden......................... 9.71 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.39 francsTaiwan ...................... 40.55 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.64 new liraUSA ............................ 1.50 dollars

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £37.60 -0.33Gannett 1255.12 -29.39Hess Corp £39.78 +2.23Microsoft 1790.50 +13.23Motors Liquidation 47.81Wal-Mart Stores £44.09 +0.10

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 430 +4BAE Systems 3467/8 +33/4Rolls-Royce 942 -2

AIMBrady Plc 961/2 -1/2

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2411/2 -51/8

BANKSBarclays 3057/8 +51/8HSBC 7171/8 +63/4Lloyds Banking Gp 531/8 -1/4Ryl Scotland 3673/4 +17/8Stan Chart 1664 -1/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 18591/2 +21/2SABMiller £303/4 +1/8

CHEMICALSCroda £241/2Elementis 98 2111/4 -35/8Johnsn Mat £237/8 -1/8

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2805/8 +21/8Costain 266 +6

ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 585 -21/2SSE 1395 +9

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 2313/4 +73/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 4053/4 +7/8

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 2521/8 -1Cable & WirelessComm

401/8 +1/8

Colt Group 1063/4 +1/8KCOM 741/8 +11/4Talktalk Telecom 240

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2571/4 -1/8Sainsbury 3303/4 +1/4Tesco 356 +1/4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1715 +7Tate Lyle 824 -10Unilever £251/2 +1/8

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3455/8 -11/4National Grid 7001/2 +1/2Pennon Grp 7021/2 +1Severn 1638 -9United Utils 743 -2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2587/8 +13/4ICAP 3323/4 +31/2London StockExch 1249 +24Man Group 931/4 -1Provident Financial 1467 -5

Schroders 1942 +26Schroders NV 1576 +25

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSREXAM 4693/8 +1/4Smiths Grp 1246 +2

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 273/4Carphone Whse 227 -7Dixons Retail 271/2 -1/8Home Retail 124 -95/8Inchcape 470 +5/8Kingfisher 2767/8 -1/2M & S 3815/8 -25/8Mothercare 330 -1Next £405/8 +1/8WH Smith 6661/2 -41/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 725 +11/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 831/4 -1/2Barrat Dev 2235/8 -21/2Persimmon 8641/2 -10Reckitt Benckiser £423/8 +3/8Taylor Wimpey 721/2 -1/2

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGI M I 1186 -7

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 2683/8 -43/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 2263/4 +1/4

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3713/8 +7/8

Lgl & Gen 151 -5/8Old Mutual 1883/8 +3/4Prudential 9541/2 +7Resolution 2681/8 +11/2Standard Life 350 +41/4

MEDIABSkyB 8041/2 +21/2D Mail Tst 5801/2 +11/2HIBU 1/4ITV 1141/8 -13/4Johnston Press 121/8 -3/8Pearson 1180 -5Reed Elsevier 691 -1/2STV Group 121 +1/2Trinity Mirror 1021/4 +11/4Utd Business 7631/2 -11/2UTV 1401/2 +21/2WPP 971 -9

MININGAnglo American 18721/2 -131/2Antofagasta 1259 +2BHP Billiton £211/8 +1/8Eurasian NaturalRes

332 +7/8

Fresnillo 1663 -35Kazakhmys 745 -81/2Lonmin 325 -23/4Rio Tinto £35 -1/8VEDANTARESOURCES

1185 +5

Xstrata 11751/2 -71/2MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 6311/2 +61/2Vodafone Group 1711/8 +7/8

NONLIFE INSURANCE

Admiral Grp 1222RSA Insurance Gp 131 +1

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1142 -231/2BP 4681/2 +31/8Cairn Energy 2901/4 -11/2Royal Dutch Shell A £223/4 +1/8Royal Dutch Shell B £231/4 +1/8Total £337/8 -1/4Tullow Oil 1169 -14

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1102 +2Petrofac 1709 -21Wood Gp(J) 8241/2 -21/2

PERSONAL GOODS

Burberry Gp 1374 -13

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGYAstrazeneca £311/2 -1/8GlaxoSmithK 31/2Shire £211/8

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 5631/2 -1Captl Shop Cent 3563/4 -23/8Hamrsn 487 -41/8Land Secs 8071/2 -61/2SEGRO 248 -1/2

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 3435/8 -7/8Sage Group 3253/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 624 -1Bunzl 1112 -4Capita 787 -7De La Rue 920 -161/2Electrocomp 249 +11/8Experian 1080 -10G4S 2787/8 +2Hays 907/8 -1/4Homeserve 240 -4Menzies J 727 +42Rentokil 903/4 +1/8Smiths News 165Wolseley £293/4 -1/4

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 8681/2 -2Spirent Comms 1555/8 -11/2

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £321/2

Imperial Tobacco £241/4

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 1131/2Carnival £261/8Compass Grp 758 -1easyJet 9351/2 -91/2Enterprise Inns 1011/4 -5/8FirstGroup 2027/8 -3/4Go-Ahead Gp 1323 -18Greene King 673 -21/2Intercontl Htls 1864 -16Intl Cons Airl 220 -3Ladbrokes 2121/4 +13/8Mitchells & Butlers 3073/8 -25/8Natl Express 2133/8 +3/4Rank Org 155 -1/4Stagecoach Group 3117/8 -23/4TUI Travel 2927/8 -1/4Whitbread £255/8

INDEXFTSE 100 6294.41 +9.96

INDEXFTSE 250 13132.49 -3.61

Carclo 482 -9Marshalls 1083/4 -3/4National Grid 7001/2 +1/2Weir Gp £203/8 -1/8

LOW-COST airline Ryanair gaveanother boost to its profits guidanceafter benefiting from strong demandfor pre-Christmas flights.

The Dublin-based carrier said book-ings from passengers in the UK, Ger-m a ny a n d S c a n d i n av i a w e r eparticularly robust as revenues rose by15% to (£825m in the three months toDecember 31.

It now expects profits of about£460m in the year to March, whichwould represent a 7% increase on lastyear’s performance – despite a 19% risein oil costs.

Ryanair also increased its full-yearprofits guidance in November tobetween £417m and £442m.

Quarterly passenger numbersincreased by 3% to 17.3m, while an 8%rise in average fares meant thirdquarter profits were up by 21% to£15.4m during the period.

The airline has grounded up to 80aircraft this winter as a result of high oilprices, airport fees at Stansted and

Dublin airports and expectations forseasonally weaker demand.

As a result, Ryanair expects traffic

will be 3% lower in the current quarter,equivalent to 400,000 passengers.

Ryanair opened its 51st base in

Maastricht in December and will opensix more from April in Eindhoven,Krakow, Zadar in Croatia, Chania inGreece and Marrakesh and Fez inMorocco.

It said significant capacity cuts byother carriers would also offer itgrowth opportunities across Europe.

The company , led by chief executiveMichael O'Leary, said: “We expect fur-ther capacity cuts and restructurings inEurope as high-fare, loss-making carri-ers struggle to compete with Ryanair’sexpansion at low prices.”

Despite the tough market conditions,analysts at Panmure Gordon stock-brokers said the cuts in capacity growthand higher competitor fares shouldtranslate into “attractive and sustain-able” profits growth for Ryanair.

Analyst Gert Zonneveld describedthe third quarter performance as excel-lent and said Panmure continued tohold a buy recommendation onRyanair.

TOYOTA has regained itscrown as the world’s topcar-maker.

The Japanese firmsaid that it sold a record9.74m vehicles last year– higher than theestimate it gave lastmonth of about 9.7mvehicles.

It was already clearthat Toyota haddethroned GeneralMotors as theDetroit-based car giantfell short, selling 9.29mvehicles.

GM had been thetop-selling car-maker formore than sevendecades before losingthe title to Toyota in2008.

GM retook the salescrown in 2011, whenToyota’s production washit by the earthquake andtsunami in north-easternJapan.

The latest results showToyota’s powerfulcomeback.

Global vehicle sales forthe maker of the Camrysedan, Prius hybrid andLexus luxury modelsurged by nearly 23%from the previous year.Overseas sales rose by19%, while sales inJapan, where theeconomy has beentroubled, recovered awhopping 35%.

Volkswagen ofGermany, the world’snumber three car maker,sold a record 9.1mvehicles around theworld.

Toyota plans to sell9.91m vehicles globallyin 2013, putting it backon track toward its earliergoal of 10m vehicles – atarget that it had made aspecial effort to playdown after having torecall defective vehiclesin the USA in 2011.

Call for action to lift steel sectorSTEEL production in the UKremained at a “virtual standstill” lastyear, according to a report.

Figures by UK Steel, a division ofEEF, the manufacturers’ group,showed output was just 15 higher in2012 than it had been in 2011 – equalto average production of 184,264tonnes per week against 182,269tonnes per week.

The report blamed continuingeconomic stagnation, a fall in auto-motive production in Europe and thelow level of construction in the UK.

Andy Tuscher, region director forthe EEF, said: “This virtual standstill

position is despite the export-ori-ented plant in Teesside re-startinglast spring under new ownershipand leaves UK steel output stillaround 30% below 2008/9 levels.

“Two key factors are the continu-ing low level of UK constructionoutput, which contributed to theclosure of the Thamesteel plant lastJanuary and, more recently, theslowdown in European automotiveproduction. Government needs toact more urgently in stimulatingshovel-ready investment in the UK’sinfrastructure and other construc-tion activities.

Ryanair buoyed byDecember flights

■ HIGH FLIER: Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary, whose company isnow forecasting a 7% increase in profits for the year to March

Toyota ontop again

THE boss of Hovis and Mr Kiplingowner Premier Foods has quit just 18months into a major turnaround ofthe debt-laden food group.

The departure of Michael Clarke,who joined the company from KraftFoods in 2011, shocked the City andled to a slump in Premier’s shares.

Premier moved swiftly to replaceMr Clarke by announcing theappointment of Gavin Darby, whowas boss of Cable & Wireless World-wide until its takeover last year. Hespent 15 years in senior leadershiproles at Coca-Cola before joining

Vodafone in 2001.The company said Mr Clarke, who

is leaving to pursue other businessopportunities, had delivered the ini-tial turnaround of the company andset it on a course for sustainableprofitable growth.

Clive Black, retail analyst at ShoreCapital, said the loss of Mr Clarkewas a concern.

Premier was hit by a £1.3bn debtmountain after a spending spreewhich included Mr Kipling ownerRHM – but it secured a “landmark”£1.4bn refinancing deal last year.

Premier Foods boss quits

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

VeronicaBaldwin

BaldwinCoaching Ltd

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: ProprietorAge: 44Family: Married to Kevanwith children Ben, eight, andHayleigh, sixCar: Volvo XC90 – althoughif I could have any car I’dhave a beat-up old LandRover!Holidays: Camping inFrance and ski-ingFirst job: I had a paperround when I was 12. Iworked Saturdays in Wool-worths when I was 16 oneChristmas – and stayed twoyearsBest thing about job:Seeing results for my clients.Worst thing about job:Deciding which providers ofservices I want to work with.I find it really difficult becauseI want to make the rightchoiceBusiness tip: Set yourselfsome goals, write themdown and stick them up onthe wall so you don’t forgetthem!

Work: Helping firms get the“people thing” rightSite: HolmfirthPhone: 07930 863695Email: veronica@baldwincoaching.comWeb: www.baldwincoaching.com

Helpingfirms findthe rightrecipe

FOOD fan VeronicaBaldwin has hit on awinning recipe.

The mother-of-two –who likes to spend herspare time cooking upnew creations in herHolmfirth kitchen – had a20-year career in foodmanufacturing beforesetting up her owncoaching business to helpfirms of all kinds andsizes get the best fromtheir people.

Says Veronica: “I havea fascination for whatmakes people tick andhow they work withothers.

“It saddens me when Isee the wasted effort insome organisations justbecause people can'twork effectively with eachother.

“It also inspires me –helping teamssuccessfully worktogether and seeing howtheir performance trulybecomes greater than thesum of its parts.”

Veronica, who hailsfrom Hertfordshire,moved to Yorkshire in1986 when she studiedchemistry at SheffieldUniversity.

She had earlyambitions to be a forensicscientist – but decidedthat might be too boring –and took up a job as agraduate trainee atNorthern Foods.

She says: “I alwaysloved factories andseeing things being made– and I still do.”

During her career in thefood industry, Veronicaworked in Nottingham,Sheffield, Rotherham andBarnsley formanufacturers of diaryproducts and desserts,sandwiches and bakerygoods in areas includingproduction, qualitycontrol, continuous

improvement and learningand development.

It was during her timeas factory manager for abakery employing 200people that she first gotthe idea of working forherself.

Her next job was at afirm making mince pies inOldham, but she says: “Atthat point, I realised that Ireally loved working withpeople and helping themget the best results.”

Says Veronica: “In myview, you can have thebest products andprocesses in the world,but unless you havepeople who know whatthey are doing and careabout what they are doing,you will never have athriving business.”

Since launchingBaldwin Coaching Ltdthree years ago, Veronicahas dedicated her time tohelping people becomemore effective in their jobsand drive performance intheir businesses throughtraining, coaching andmentoring.

She helps leaders andmanagers understandhow to win over the

“hearts and minds” of theirstaff and empoweremployees in theirbusiness goals.

She undertakesleadership training,team-building and strategicdevelopment as well as“soft skills” such asconfidence building.delegation, how to listenand handling conflicts.

She also offerspsychometric profiling,performance coaching andpractices neuro-linguisticprogramming – the studyof human communication– and teaches people howto get outstanding resultsby giving them thepractical tools andmethods to achieve them.

Says Veronica: “I workwith the whole spectrum ofbusinesses, from smallowner-managedcompanies to a large foodmanufacturer.

“I love the variety.People are peoplewherever they work andhave the same kind ofwork-related issues. I workwith businesses rangingfrom garages andrecruiting companies toaccountancy firms andrenewable energyproviders.”

Veronica says: “I askcompanies where theywant to be as anorganisation. Most of thetime, they know what theyneed to do to get there, buthaven’t got the time to talkabout it and make it apriority.

“The aim is to get themto take action. I lovehelping people on theirpersonal developmentjourneys.”

She says: “Everything Ido is centred on makingthe people part of thebusiness work. It iscentred on skills andmotivation and behaviour.

“My belief is that

everyone goes to workwanting to do a goodjob. They also want tobe fulfilled and getrecognition, but in thehubbub of a busyworking environment,that can get forgotten.”

At the same time,many companies havegone throughre-organisation andchange due to theeconomic downturn –with employees given achange of role or moreto do.

“That can beunsettling,” saysVeronica. “Steeringthem through thatprocess is absolutelyvital.

“Business is aboutpeople, products andprocesses.”

And she adds: “Somepeople think ‘coaching’is all a bit ‘pink andfluffy’ but it isn’t. It isabout helpingbusinesses achievetheir visions – andgetting everyone doingwhat they say they aregoing to do.”

Veronica practiceswhat she preaches byfocusing on her owncontinued professionaldevelopment. She setup her own businessbecause she wanted togive herself a challenge– and because it meantshe would havecomplete control andresponsibility over herwork life.

She says: “I lovelearning. I can seemyself still adding to myskills in my 80s.

“I also believe itkeeps you young! Ihave loved the spin-offbenefits of learning howto run and build my ownbusiness.”

As well as workingin-house with her

clients, Veronica runsworkshops where peoplecan learn about NLP anddrive their businessforward at the same time.

In February, she islaunching a programmeof workshops entitled“Effective Manager toExceptional Leader”.

Veronica is a memberof the Mid YorkshireChamber of Commerce,the Association forNeuro-LinguisticProgramming and alsoattends Huddersfieldmeetings of theLadies4Networkinggroup. She is also amember of the Halifaxand HuddersfieldSpeakers’ Association,saying: “I enjoy publicspeaking. It is a goodway to promote what Ido. It moves you out ofyour comfort zone.”

Away from work,Veronica is kept busywith her two children.“They are a big part ofmy life,” she says. “As I’mworking for myself, I workaround them as much asI can. I love spendingtime with them. We do alot of walking and cyclingwith the children.”

And it’s no surprisethat food plays a part,too. “I love cooking and Ihave a real passion forfood,” says Veronica. “Imust have about 200cook books!

“If I go to a nicerestaurant and enjoy adish I’m always thinking ‘Iwonder how you makethat?

“I try all kinds ofrecipes, from sushi toclassical French cuisine. Iparticularly love makingfancy pastries, so I’vebeen avidly watching TheGreat British Bake Off.”

■ LIFELONG LEARNER:Veronica Baldwin, who runsBaldwin Coaching

Independent financialplanning services for

companies and individualsEastwood & PartnersEastwood & Partners

(Financial Services) Ltd(Financial Services) LtdPennine House, Lowfields Close, Lowfields

Business Park, Elland HX5 9DA01422 377737

www.eastwoodfinancial.co.ukAuthorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

What enterpriseA THIRD of people beliehas a more entreprnow than in the past.And they think this has contribto an increase in the nsmall businesses and starover the last 30 yearAsked what made starbusiness venture easierpeople polled by LloyCommercial cited new tecfor helping people to compete moreasily, while 15% said thawere now more role models andpotential mentors ayoung entrepreneur

Karen Wynard is head of corporate services at Eastwood & Partners (Financial Services) Ltd

FINANCIALFOCUSKaren Wynard

Firms deservebetter bossesCOMPANIES must invest in theirmanagers if they are to improvetheir fortunes during the currenteconomic slump, says aHuddersfield-based consultant.

David Broadhead, who runsPartners in Management, basedat the Media Centre, saidcompanies needed to focus onmanagers and other senior staff.

He said: “People are the oneconsistent, essential ingredient ofall organisations – but usually theone with the least investment,especially the more experiencedand senior they are.

“You wouldn’t spend over£25,000 on a new car or machineand then not service and improveit, yet that’s what we do with ourpeople – year on year.

A survey by the CharteredManagement Institute showed thatonly 21% of managers are ratedas highly effective by theirsubordinates and 43% areconsidered either ineffective orhighly ineffective.

Said Mr Broadhead: “In otherwords, eight out of 10 are doing abad to acceptable job, yet we arerelying on them to lead us out ofthe situation we are in by lettingthem do what they have alwaysdone.

“It’s probably worse in a lot of

organisations as they put morefear and pressure on these peopleto perform, so they work longerand harder to produce even moredisastrous results.”

Mr Broadhead said severalorganisations had seen“spectacular, successfulexperiences” by investing in thedevelopment of their managersand “professional knowledgeworkers”.

Mr Broadhead has developedthe 21st Century Managerprogramme, which is designed tokick-start key workers intodeveloping the entrepreneurialand leadership skills needed todeliver effective strategic changein these challenging times.

A five-day course, delivered oneday a month, will take place at theMedia Centre from February.

Said Mr Broadhead: “We’veseen organisations that werestruggling achieve 200% profitgrowth, obtain full order booksand reduce overdues whilst alsoemploying fewer people, all afterdeveloping their managementteams.

“It does work and is probablythe most cost effective investmentany organisation can make,especially in the currentenvironment.”

Set the clock forRTI shake-upKIRKLEESemployers mustprepare for amajor shake-upin the way PayAs You Earnoperates, says aKirklees expert.Nigel Westman(pictured),partner atClough &Company in Cleckheachange would affect almost allemployers. Yet a suronly 16% of businesses wof their obligationsFrom April, the Real TimeInformation programme – whicthe heart of the govwelfare reform – will finformation about employto the Department fPensions, so it can accurcalculate payments to whicindividuals are entitled.A survey by the FederBusinesses of 1,700 smallcompanies found thahave never heard of Rcompanies had not ycommunication from HM RCustoms about the scMr Westman said: “Rforce from April, 2013, and it is thebiggest shake-up to paPAYE was introduced in 1944.Employers will be rPAYE information to HMRtime a payroll is run and employare paid.“In addition they will haany changes to PAYE as and whenthey occur, instead of aeach financial year.“The scheme is also designed tosimplify the reporting system whena company recruits new employor when staff leavemaking the payroll prstraightforward.”He said: “Because bhave to transmit an electrsubmission to HMRevery pay date, they will needsystems in place to accommodathis. Almost a third of bthat reported being achanges said they had to bsoftware, so it’s clear thabusinesses will havchanges in the coming months

Search on for topbusinesswomenKIRKLEES businesswomen have beenurged to compete for a national award –with the launch of the 2013 First WomenAwards, held in association with LloydsBanking Group.Created in 2005 by Real Business and theCBI, the awards recognise pioneeringwomen who are setting the agenda forfuture generations across a range ofsectors.The closing date for entries is Friday,April 5, 2013. The awards ceremony,hosted by broadcaster Clare Balding, ison Wednesday, June 12, at the LondonMarriott Hotel.Visitfwa.realbusiness.co.uk

Don’t delay overpension changesOCTOBER 1, 2012 saw the

long-awaited introduction ofpension auto enrolment with aburst of TV advertising takingplace in Government attempts toraise public awareness of thechanges.

Automatic enrolment requires thatemployers enrol “eligible jobholders”into a Qualifying Workplace Pensionscheme.

This could be NEST (NationalEmployment Savings Trust) or anotherqualifying scheme established by theemployer (for example, a Group Per-sonal Pension or Occupational Pensionscheme), subject to the scheme meetingcertain conditions.

Due to the scale of the task at hand,to ensure all employers meet their oblig-ations the requirement to auto enrolemployees is being phased in (referredto as “staging dates”) with the largestemployers going first. In fact, prior toApril, 2013, only employers with morethan 10,000 employees will be affectedwith the very smallest employers (thosewith less than 30 employees) not subject

to the requirements until 2017.Essentially, employers will be

required to enrol all eligible jobholderswithin a month of their auto enrolmentdate into a suitable workplace pensionscheme (unless they are already mem-bers of such a scheme). Generallyspeaking, most employees aged over 22,earning at least £8,105 per annum willbe “eligible jobholders”.

There are also compulsory minimumcontributions required from bothemployer and employee.

Although initially these will be low,starting with gross contributions of 1%of qualifying earnings from theemployee and 1% of earnings from theemployer, they will gradually rise untilemployers must contribute 3% with anemployee contributing 5% (includingtax relief).

These contributions are based onearnings between £5,564 and £42,475(for tax year 2012/13).

If you do not already have an under-standing of the auto enrolment require-ments and/or you have not yet startedyour preparations, you do need to begiving this some thought.

It’s easy to think that this issomething that you can put to one sideuntil nearer the time, but I wouldrecommend that employers give them-selves at least a year before their stagingdate to sufficiently prepare.

When you think about the preparat-ory work involved and also the fact thatas more companies fall into the regime,the demand for the services of advisersand pension companies will increasedramatically, it would be sensible to getahead of the game!

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

What enterpriseA THIRD of people believe Britain

epreneurial culturenow than in the past.

y think this has contributedease in the number of

usinesses and start-upsears.

t made starting a newe easier, 53% of

people polled by Lloyds TSBcial cited new technology

or helping people to compete more, while 15% said that there

ole models ands available to

eneurs.

TAXTALKColin Barratt

Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth charteredaccountants, Huddersfield

Set the clock forTI shake-up

Company in Cleckheaton, said theect almost all

et a survey found thatusinesses were awaretions.

eal Timeamme – which is atvernment’s

m – will feed up-to-datebout employee income

tment for Work and, so it can accurately

yments to whiche entitled.

ederation for SmallBusinesses of 1,700 small

ound that one in fourd of RTI and 60% of

companies had not yet received anyom HM Revenue &

bout the scheme.estman said: “RTI comes into

pril, 2013, and it is thee-up to payroll sinceoduced in 1944.

s will be required to submittion to HMRC each

oll is run and employees

y will have to reportYE as and when

, instead of at the end ofear.

heme is also designed toting system when

ecruits new employeese, as well as

oll process more

He said: “Because businesses willansmit an electronic RTI

submission to HMRC on or before, they will need

systems in place to accommodated of businesses

ted being aware of they had to buy newlear that someve to make major

hanges in the coming months.”

Look to Latvia

Town unveil theirtrue blue partner!A NEW partner has joined forces withHuddersfield Town.Leeds-based Blue Apple Training, which hasmore than 15 years experience in the “Welfare toWork” and recruitment industries will use thefootball club’s facilities at the John Smith’sStadium and Canalside sports complex to runtraining courses to help unemployed back intojobs.Blue Apple Training owners Mike Gore and JohnPerrin joined tutor Joanne Wray alongside Towncommercial director Sean Jarvis and internationaldevelopment manager Ajin Abraham to announcethe new partnership.Said Mr Jarvis: “We are well aware of Blue AppleTraining’s excellent training programmes as theyhave worked closely with Kirklees College,another valued club partner, for some time nowand we’re very happy to provide a well-knownbase and an opportunity for the twoorganisations to help the unemployed and youthsnot in education, employment or training to getback on track.”Mr Perrin said: “We want to stand out as atraining and recruitment organisation and wewant those who come on our courses to standout when they apply for vacancies and attend jobinterviews.“We are working with local employers to offer freebespoke recruitment solutions as well as workingwith the Job Centre Plus and Work Programmeproviders to help and support the unemployed inand around the Huddersfield area.“We work closely with our learners over a four orfive-week period and so we get to know them,their strengths, their attitude and work ethic andthen we can confidently put the right peopleforward for interview to the employers with whomwe work in partnership.”

Review yourtax positionAS we approach the end of

another tax year – with sig-nificant tax change already inplace and due to come in – it isimportant to use the remainingtime before the April 5 deadlineto review one’s affairs toensure that the maximum bene-fits are obtained of availableallowances and reliefs.

In doing so, it is worth looking notjust at husband and wife but alsoparents and children.

Both husband and wife have thebenefit of the Personal Allowanceand the basic rate tax band.

Transfers of assets between themare free of all taxes. It may bebeneficial to review the assets ofeach spouse to see if transfers can bemade from one to the other to ensurePersonal Allowances are not wastedand basic rate tax bands are utilisedas far as possible whilst at the sametime mitigating the extent of anyhigher rate tax liabilities on thetransferring spouse.

Basic rate taxpayers can save 20%tax on income earned on assetstransferred to a spouse who has notused their Personal Allowance.

Those with gross income in excessof £42,475 can save tax at 40%taxpayer and for very high earners,who begin to lose their PersonalAllowance when income exceeds£100,000, the saving can be as highas 60% and those over £150,000could save 50%.

From April 6, 2013, the highestrate of tax is to be reduced from 50%to 45% (42.5% to 37.5% for dividendincome) and for those able to planthe timing of their income, tax-sav-ings could be obtained by organisingsavings accounts to credit accruedinterest on or after April 6, 2013, to

ensure this income is taxed at thelower rate in the 2013/14 tax year.

Similarly, deferring the award ofbonuses or dividends from yourcompany until into the new tax yearor delaying the encashment ofinvestment bonds until after April 5,2013, could secure tax benefits.

Charitable Gift Aid donationsshould also be made by the spousewho is the highest rate taxpayer asthey are able to obtain the optimumrelief for these payments, withoutaffecting the tax position of thecharity.

Remember to use up eachspouses’ ISA allowance, given thatthe maximum subscription limit hasincreased to £11,280 (£5,640 for cashISAs and £5,640 for stocks and shareISAs). Don’t forget that childrenunder 16 may be able to have theirown junior ISA to shelter furthercapital from tax.

Indeed, reviewing marr iedcouples’ affairs is now even moresignificant from January 2013 forthose with children who face a lossof their Child Benefit where onespouse has income above the£50,000 threshold.

Children under 18 also have theirown Personal Allowances and taxbands but income from capital giftedby a parent is only taxable on a childif it does not exceed £100 gross perannum. Otherwise it is taxable onthe parent. For children over 18,income will always be taxed on

them.Gifts of up to £3,000 per donor

(plus £3,000 for the previous year ifunused) can be made completely freeof inheritance tax.

Larger gifts can be made tax-freeand without affecting future taxliabilities provided the donor sur-vives 7 years. So if grandparentswish to help with increased educa-tional costs it may well be appropri-ate for them to gift the moneydirectly to the grandchildren ratherthan their parents so that anyincome is assessable on the grand-children and would therefore be taxfree up to the annual PersonalAllowance.

Potential tax savings may be pos-sible but due consideration shouldalways be given to any commercialor other risks involved with suchtransactions.

KIRKLEES engineering firmslooking to trade with Latvia havebeen urged to attend a freeseminar.

The newly-opened KirkleesCollege engineering centre is thevenue for the event, DoingBusiness in Latvia, which will beheld from 5pm to 7pm onWednesday, February 13.

Latvian beer and snacks will alsobe available.

The event is aimed at firms inmechanical engineering andmetalworking, electronics andelectrical engineering, technicalplastics and textiles.

Event organiser Joanna Lavan, ofHonley-based Alfran UK, said: “The

engineering sector is one of theleading industrial sectors in Latvia.It produces about 20% of totalmanufacturing industry output andvalue added and is the leadingexporting sector in Latvia –accounting for more than a third oftotal exports.

“Latvia is known as the gatewaybetween Europe and CIS and itscapital Riga is the largest city in theBaltic States. Latvia is the fastestgrowing EU economy in 2012.”

The event will include speakersfrom Latvia and the UK who willgive a detailed overview of thecountry’s engineering sector.

Email joanna@alfran.co.uk

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

Things are brewing up nicely!

Centres ofattentionFIVE purpose-built control centresreleased to market last year haveattracted “significant attention” fromprospective buyers.The control centres, including one inWest Yorkshire, were released by theDepartment for Communities and LocalGovernment.Centres in Hampshire, County Durham,Cheshire and London have already beensecured for use – with ones inWakefield, Cambridge, CastleDonington, Taunton and Wolverhamptonstill seeking buyers.Each control centre extends to some30,000 sq ft and benefits from a fullysecured environment in an accessible,out-of-town business park location.A number of serious enquiries havealready been made by a range ofpotential users including educationalproviders, data centre operators, localauthorities and the emergency services.Andrew Venables, director for nationalmarkets with GVA, who is handling thelettings, said: “We have been pleasedwith the level of interest fromorganisations seeking modern,cost-effective, functional and highlyresilient accommodation.“Each of these five buildings isimmediately available to a wide range ofpotential occupiers looking for a highspecification finish, in-built technologyand an extremely secure environment.”The self-contained three-storeybuildings incorporate substantial officespace and a double heightcontrol room area suitable for a varietyof uses.Other accommodation includesspecialist equipment and plant rooms,storage space and full catering andcanteen facilities.The buildings are accessed throughgate-houses and are fitted withcomprehensive CCTV.They also have diesel powered standbygenerators fitted as standard along withair-conditioning, fire suppressionsystems and rain water harvesting.

■ CUP WINNER: Laura Smith,of Not Just a Trading Company

VOLUNTEERS from a local groupfor the over-55s are helping makethe perfect brew.

The 12 members ofHuddersfield-based Not Just aCommunity Enterprise arehelping to pack tea for socialenterprise Not Just a TradingCompany.

The tea is then sold toDewsbury-based RixonwayKitchens, a leading manufacturerof kitchens for the social housingsector, with profits going to helpsupport tea producers indeveloping countries.

Rixonway buys the tea andgives it away to tenants visitingthe company’s exhibitions as ameans of support and to raiseawareness of Netherton-basedNot Just a Trading Company.

The over 55s group is a perfectway for older members of thecommunity to socialise and makenew friends while helping supportfair trade. The wide age rangemeans younger members can

help older members withtransport and IT skills, creating aninter-generation group.

Laura Smith, business andcommunity initiatives manager ofNot Just a Trading Company,said: “Members from the over-55s group enjoyed packaging thetea as it allowed them to dosomething different, whilst havinga cup of tea and a good chat asthey complete the work – andmake an income too.”

Rixonway chief executive PaulRose said: “We are always happyto support schemes which benefitall those involved in an ethicalmanner. We are dedicated tobuilding links with local charitiesand organisations and hope ourpartnership with Not Just aTrading Company will promote thebenefits of the scheme to ourcustomers.”

Rixonway chose to work withNot Just a Trading Company asthe two companies share similarethical policies. Rixonway is

committed to playing a positiverole in the communities in which itoperates and has developedstrong links with local charitiesand organisations.

Not Just a Trading Companywas funded by KirkleesCommunity Partnerships and setup under the Lorna YoungFoundation’s Not Just aCommunity Enterpriseprogramme, which providesopportunities for groups to runtheir own social enterprise basedon the principles of ethical andfair trade whilst gainingexperience, learning valuablebusiness skills and earning anincome.

The Huddersfield-based NotJust a Community Enterprisegroup has held two stalls sellingproducts including hand-madedishcloths and lavender bags.The group will have a stall inHolmfirth on March 9.All themoney raised will go back into thebusiness.

Small firms ‘notinto Green Deal’

THE Green Deal needs to involve more small,local builders to work, says a constructiongroup.

The Federation of Master Builders saidred-tape and negative publicity threatened toscupper the Government ’s f lagsh ipenergy-efficiency policy before it gets off theground.

Just over a quarter of small to medium-sizedconstruction firms are planning to get involvedin the Green Deal, according to a survey by theFMB.

But many said the application and accredit-ation process was overly complicated, whilehouseholders were unaware of the potentialbenefits because of a lack of positive publicityabout the scheme.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB,said: “Trusted local traders are ready andwilling to help homeowners fit energy-savingmeasures such as double-glazing and insula-tion.

“However, many have expressed frustrationthat it is not easy for smaller firms to getinvolved in Green Deal work and that therehasn’t been a marketing campaign to explainto householders what the Green Deal is allabout.”

Mr Berry continued: “People want to usetheir local builder to have energy-efficientimprovement work carried out, because theyknow them and have used them before.

“But the scheme has been designed so largenumbers of small firms are excluded becauseof the significant costs involved in offeringGreen Deal finance directly to homeowners.

“Instead local firms will have to find a largefinance provider to work with, rather thangetting started on work which would boost theeconomy and help home-owners save moneyon their fuel bills.”

Mr Berry said: “We welcome the Green Deallaunch because in principle it is good for the

environment and great for the economy – butwithout more support, training and publicitythe Government risks this policy becoming adamp squib.

“The FMB is committed to helping builders

become certified Green Deal installers and weoffer advice and pathways to training andcertification to ensure people can use a builderthey know and trust to future-proof theirhomes.”

Meanwhile, Rich Hall, of accountancy firmPwC's Northern sustainability team, said crit-ics should delay making a verdict on the GreenDeal.

"It's easy to get distracted by the headlinesor expect too much too soon,” he said. “Thereality is this has the potential to be a trulytransformational programme, kick-starting amuch- needed upgrade of Britain's housingstock, and help the economy on the way.

“It could also make one of the most signific-ant contributions to our 2020 carbon reduc-tion commitments.

"As this is a long term approach, I wouldn'texpect everyone to come flocking to the ideastraight away.

“Many people will still wait until they can fitit around other home improvements or mov-ing house.

"Rising energy prices means fuel bills areonly going in one direction. Keeping ourenergy bills affordable means we need to tackleenergy efficiency on a large scale, for the longterm.

“The Green Deal allows households toinstall these measures with no up-front cost.The Green Deal Finance Company's lendingpolicy has also made this affordable andaccessible to over 80% of the population. “

Mr Hall said: “With Green Deal repaymentslinked to your home, not you personally, wecould find that as adoption builds, people'sexpectations of lower carbon, higher energyefficiency being built into the bricks andmortar of a home will be changed, whetheryour home is big or small, and built last year,or last century.”

■ GREEN MESSAGE: FMB chief executiveBrian Berry says SMEs need more support

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7

Openings forwindow firms

THE market for doors and windows isopening up, according to a report.

A study on the UK residential win-dows and doors sector, published byMarket & Customer Insight, has valuedthe market at about £3.2bn in 2012.

The report found that the UK marketfor doors, door frames, windows, win-dow frames and conservatories is expec-ted to increase to £3.5bn by 2017throughout the forecast period2013-2017 – but at “moderate levels” ofannual growth.

That growth is expected to accelerateas the period progresses and the UKeconomy improves. Financial availabil-ity and house price inflation will alsoimprove conditions in the longer termand growth can be expected to return tothe market at modest levels initially, thereport said.

The windows and window framessector is expected to continue to formthe largest element of the UK market upto 2017. The doors and door framessector is forecast to increase throughoutthe review period.

Richard Pogson (pictured), managingdirector of Huddersfield-based Lock-wood Windows and sister companyComposite Doors Yorkshire, said: “Inour experience, the uPVC windows anddoors market is still tough but we havebeen able to hold our own.

“However, composite doors seem tobe bucking the trend somewhat and thishas definitely been a growth market forus over the last 18 months.”

The conservatories sector is forecastto increase to approximately £1bn. Salesin the conservatories sector are expectedto grow throughout the period underreview – and its growth will lead thetotal market.

The report said that the market fordirect-sell conservatories was improvingand would grow more strongly as theperiod progresses and financial restric-tions are lifted, house price inflationincreases and people look to invest intheir existing property with a changedattitude towards house moving follow-ing the past few years.

New opportunities

Government’s unwantedproperties are now online

A COMMERCIAL glazingcontractor has opened updoors with a new product.Dortech Architectural SystemsLtd, based at Old FieldhouseLane in Huddersfield, haslaunched a new door to caterfor high traffic, pedestrianenvironments such as schoolsand shopping centres.Managing director JamesSutherland (pictured) said:“Trading conditions have beenincredibly tough.“The UK construction marketis in a poor state and somemarket forecasters do notbelieve the situation will getmuch better until 2022.

“To make things worse,manufacturing output has notpicked up, house building in2012 was at its lowest sincethe 1920s and all this whilstthe bank rate has been 0.5%for the past four years.”Mr Sutherland said the newDor-Strong door aimed toremedy the problems oftenfound with aluminiumcommercial doors.Enhancements includedwelded corners, additional tierods, steel reinforced doorthresholds and extra- robustbottom pivots.He said: “These componentstypically need to be replacedon a regular basis withstandard commercial doorsand the costs of maintenanceand repair work cansometimes be significantlyhigher than just buying ahigher quality product in thefirst place!“Since opening our doors in1993, we have manufacturedover 20,000 door sets and overthe past few years ourmaintenance division hasrepaired and replacedhundreds of doors.“During this time, we havefound the same repeatproblems time and time again,which is why we decided todevelop the Dor-Strongconcept.”

A NEW website has beenlaunched letting members ofthe public see for the firsttime what governmentproperty is available to buy orrent.

Find Me SomeGovernment Space operatessimilarly to commercial sitessuch as Rightmove in that thepublic will be able to findavailable property usingeither a postcode or areakeyword.

The website will open upmore than 300 propertiesavailable to rent and about900 currently available to buyacross Great Britain.

Property available includescounty court and magistratescourt buildings in Dewsburyand land at Thornhill Viaductin Brighouse.

Chloe Smith (pictured),Minister for Political andConstitutional Reform, said:“We’re making the civil

service more efficient andcutting waste.

“As a result we will have anumber of properties bothowned and rented that weneed to do more with.

“Not only will this websitehelp to save governmentmoney, but we will see newopportunities, jobs and

growth in local economies asnew life is brought into empty,unused properties.”

Users will be able toaccess the site via the newgovernment website tosearch for property topurchase or rent from thegovernment. Property will bedisplayed with photos andbuilding guides whereavailable.

The National PropertyControls introduced byCabinet Office MinisterFrancis Maude, which stopsigning of new leases andrenewals of existing leases,have already reduced costsby £362m for the period fromMay, 2010, to September,2012.

Additionally, more than£640m has been raised incapital receipts by sellingmore than 250 surplusbuildings during the 20months from May, 2010.

Shop vacancy rates fallTHE number of vacant shops across Britainfell for the third month running in December,according to figures.

But a retail export said the collapse ofseveral major chains, the number of“distressed” retail businesses and the drivetowards more technology making onlineshopping even easier suggested vacancyrates would rise again in 2013.

Retailing information service The Local

Data Company said shop vacancies fell by0.06% to 14.25% last month. Town centrevacancy rates fell from 14.31% to 14.25%.

But director Matthew Hopkinson said: “Inlight of recent administrations and thenumber of distressed retailers being quoted Ifear that we will see a rise in the number ofvacant shops as we enter 2013. There is thepotential for a doubling of closures from whatwe have seen in 2012.”

FOR SALELand at Crosland HillHuddersfield, HD4 7AD

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Daniel Krigers & Jack Oldroyd

ChadwickLawrenceLAW firm Chadwick Lawrence is celebratingtwo of its trainees successfully qualifying assolicitors after completing training contracts atthe firm.

Daniel Krigers and Jack Oldroyd both studiedlaw part-time over four years at HuddersfieldUniversity while working as office juniors atChadwick Lawrence, which has offices atRailway Street in Huddersfield and atWakefield, Leeds and Halifax.

Having successfully completed their degrees,they undertook a two year part-time legalpractice course while running a trainingcontract alongside this at the firm.

Pictured are Jack Oldroyd (front, left) andDaniel Krigers (front, right) with (back from left)Neil Wilsoni, Jeremy Garside and RobertBrackup.

The training contract, funded by ChadwickLawrence, saw Daniel and Jack appointed astrainee solicitors which allowed them to assiston and run files alongside qualified solicitors.

Throughout his training, Daniel worked in theemployment department, mainly helpingcommercial clients deliver ChadwickLawrence’s Employer Support Pack service aswell as working on sports law and businessimmigration cases.

Jack was based in the firm’s disputeresolution department and assisted with arange of civil litigation cases. He continues towork in this department and now specialises inboth general and commercial litigation.

Highlighting apprenticeshipsA BRIGHOUSE-based company hosted anevent to promote apprenticeships.

Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker andthe Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale, ClrJohn Hardy and his wife, Janet, wereamong guests at the open day hosted byelectrical design and installation companyProjex Solutions.

The event, held at the firm’s ThornhillBeck Lane site, opened with a debatesurrounding the scope and capacity ofapprenticeships and how they helpYorkshire businesses grow.

Projex Solutions managing directorJamie Ashton started his working life as anapprentice and credits this as thefoundation of his successful career. ProjexSolutions now has its own apprentice,Lewis Copeland, who has been given thechance to increase his skill levels.

Mr Whittaker said: “Apprenticeships area great way to try and rebalance theeconomy. They are a huge asset tobusiness and the individual – providing ahuge skill set to feed business needs.”

Mr Ashton said that the recession andthe increase in university tuition fees meantapprenticeships were becoming morepopular. Businesses were seeing thebenefits of having apprenticeships andschool leavers were seeing the benefits indoing them.

Said Mr Ashton: “The day was a greatsuccess. Mr Whittaker attending was anhonour and receiving a visit and speechfrom the mayor was an exceptional bonus.

“I completed my apprenticeship 18 yearsago and since then the decline incompanies running an apprenticeship

programme has led to a reduced skill setbeing available for the industries we workwithin. We now have an apprentice of ourown, he has been a credit to himself andthe company on the projects in which hehas been involved.”

■ SUPPORT: Craig Whittaker MP (left) with (from left) Jamie Ashton, managing directorof ProjexSolutions, and the Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale

Jason Gledhill

HSBCHSBC has appointed JasonGledhill as area commercialdirector for Kirklees, Calderdaleand Wakefield.

Mr Gledhill (pictured), who isbased at HSBC’s ChanceryLane Commercial Centre inHuddersfield, will focus onsupporting businesses with aturnover between £2m and£30m as well as ensuring thatthe bank continues to meet the needs of itscommercial clients.

Mr Gledhill has spent 24 years in the bankingindustry in the North of England, most recentlywith Barclays Corporate in Manchester. Hisvaried career has seen him undertake roles inbranch management, commercial and corporatebanking, including a spell leading a bank’soffshore business in the Isle of Man.

He said: “I’m delighted to join HSBC.Yorkshire is a key geographical area for HSBCand we have been expanding our team over thepast year to meet the needs of businesses in theregion. I look forward to getting out and meetingboth the business and professional servicescommunities and have been impressed with thequality and breadth of companies I have met sofar in the area.”

Royal command

Poundworld boss to tell his storyTHE co-founder of value retailerPoundworld will share his success story ata business conference in West Yorkshire.

Chris Edwards (pictured), who joined thefamily business when it was a market stallowned by his parents, opened his firststore in 1975 in Wakefield after hispersonal bank loaned him £2,500 to builda new shop front on a vacant store.

Since then, managing director Chris andmarketing director Martyn Birks, who wasbrought up in Huddersfield, have created amajor chain which lifted sales by 55% to

£206m last year – during which it launched52 stores, including its 200th outlet inAugust.

The company is now eyeing another 150stores. It has also hopped across toIreland, opening six stores.

Despite its success, Chris isn’t restingon his laurels. “There’s no sitting back,” hesays. “I still see 4,000-plus staff waiting fortheir wages, landlords waiting for their rentand a massive commitment. I know I havegot to be on it 24/7 so I can keepeverybody happy.”

Chris, who went back to the tillsalongside Martyn in TV’s UndercoverBoss, is among the speakers at theWakefield Business Conference, whichtakes place on Wednesday, March 20, aspart of Wakefield Business Week.

The full day of events, which is free todelegates, is organised by Birstall-basedHillrich Ltd and includes seminars, abusiness clinic, networking opportunitiesand an exhibition with almost 50 localsuppliers. Go to www.wakefieldbusinessconference.co.uk

A BRIGHOUSE businessman has beeninvited to become an Ambassador for thePrince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise.

The charity, backed by the Prince ofWales, is dedicated to helping unemployedpeople over 50 set up their own busi-nesses.

Carl Hopkins, who has more than 25years’ business and marketing experience,first became involved with PRIME follow-ing an invitation to attend a round tablehosted by Prince Charles last June todiscuss how businesses and organisationscan connect better with people over the ageof 50.

Carl, who has launched a number ofbusinesses himself, said that he was attrac-ted to the initiative’s aims as he also cham-pions enterprise skills for young people inconnection with the not-for-profit organ-isation Are You Ready? of which he is afounding patron.

Said Carl: “With the retirement age get-ting progressively older and pensions get-ting smaller, those aged 50 and over need tothink of other ways to finance their futuresand become financially independent.

“Self-employment provides a very viablesolution and the Prince’s Initiative is theonly national organisation dedicated to

offering support to achieve this.I am honoured to have been invited to

become an ambassador for the Prince’s

Initiative and look forward to empoweringeven more over 50s who are unemployed orfacing redundancy, to explore self-employ-ment. This demographic is a greatuntapped resource of experience that couldbenefit all businesses.”

Nick Bunting, CEO of Prince’s Initiative,said: “We are delighted that Carl Hopkinshas become an Ambassador for the Prince’sInitiative as he brings a wealth of businessand entrepreneurial experience.

“Mature workers have the right skills tobenefit the UK economy and we hope thatCarl will continue to assist us in ouradvocacy, fundraising and programmeefforts to support the unemployed over50s.”

In the Yorkshire region, employmentprospects for the over 50s are stark.

According to the latest Labour Marketstatistics from the Office for National Stat-istics, 35,000 thousand people aged 50 to 64are currently unemployed.

To help support the over-50s, the Prince’sInitiative is hosting several free events overthe next couple of months.

Go to www.prime.org.uk or phone 08458622023.

■ PRIME PICK: Carl Hopkins