kirklees business news, 6th july 2010

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees6, Ju ly, 2010

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● Full story - Page 6

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Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

RICHARD CONROY COLIN BARRATTBuilding up the business

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3B ig budget round-up

Column - Page 4

FTSE 100-14.56

4823.53An EXAMINER publication

BreakfastTV in bedA FLOCKTON couplehave no time fornodding off – aftersetting up a firmsupplying luxury bedswith fitted TV screens.Andrea and AndrewMontgomery haveformed Visual ComfortLtd to supply bespokeTV beds forstyle-consciousindividual customers,providers of studioapartments and theboutique hotel sector.

Tops forthe shopsCONSOLIDATION andcost-cutting remain apriority for retailers,says a report.But the ColliersInternationalMidsummer RetailReport said there werefewer signs of distresson the UK high streetagainst a year ago.

Survey detects worries over ‘weak’ economySPENDING cuts and the “underlyingweakness” of the UK economy arecausing concern for West Yorkshirebusinesses, it was claimed today.

The latest survey of member firmsby the Lockwood-based Mid York-shire Chamber of Commerce showedthat home sales and orders continuedto improve while exports were boun-cing back during the second quarter ofthe year.

Companies across Kirklees, Calder-dale and Wakefield reported a recov-ery in capital investment levels andsaid they remained positive about pro-

spects for the year ahead. Expecta-tions for turnover and profit were alsoholding steady.

But they remained cautious aboutemployment intentions and said risingpr ices were caus ing concern.Respondents also spotlighted compet-ition and financial matters as themajor external issues affecting theirbusinesses.

Steven Leigh, chamber head ofpolicy, said firms were concernedabout underlying weaknesses in theeconomy and the possible effects onthe private sector of the deficit reduc-

tion programme.“Although the programme is sup-

ported by ourselves and the BritishChambers of Commerce, the publicsector spending cuts will definitelyhave an effect on the speed of oureconomic recovery.”

He said: “In these second quarterresults, there are a number of positivesigns for the local and UK economy.Most key indicators have continued tomaintain or improve on the resultsreported in the first quarter.

“However, there are clearly someunderlying concerns which our mem-

bers remain wary about, includinginflation, exchange rates and theeffects of price increases in raw mater-ials and other overheads which areincreasing the pressure on manufac-turers to raise prices – thereby poten-tially reducing our competitiveness.”

Mr Leigh said: “Overall, thesesecond quarter figures are encour-aging and the chamber will continueto strongly lobby the coalition toc o n t i nu e t o i n t ro d u c e b u s i-ness-friendly measures which willencourage investment, create jobs,and promote a stronger economy.”

Trolley push intoCanadian marketA COLNE Valley company has goneback to its roots with its latest con-tract.

Milnsbridge-based firm HorizonSigns is celebrating after winning alarge order to create a new range ofbespoke products for one of Canada’sbiggest supermarket chains.

The Canadian supermarket neededsevera l warehouse tro l leys innon-standard sizes to move productsaround its depots and ultimately intoits stores.

The company’s regular supplier inChina was unable to fulfil the requestefficiently and cost-effectively – andthe retailer’s quest for an alternativesource took it to Horizon Signs.

The project signals a return to itsroots for Horizon, which started out asa fabrication company more than 20years ago before diversifying into the

sign manufacturing.Currently, the company has 12 fab-

ricators who can work on anythingfrom gates and railings to shop, res-taurant and pub fixtures.

Horizon was able to make the cus-tom-built trolleys and guarantee thatthe work was completed to the higheststandards.

Given the current value of the dollaragainst the pound, Horizon was ableto compete on price against interna-tional suppliers and make the newproducts more cost effectively.

Ross Ball, director at Horizon Signs,said: “We are able to compete effect-ively against internationally supplierswho have traditionally been thought ofas a cheaper alternative.

“That is down to our experiencedfabricators working to very specificclient requirements and offering a

cost-effective solution.“This order demonstrates that we

can take on any fabricating enquiryand achieve the required result.”

Horizon Signs is reaping the rewardsof investment and cost-savings whichenabled the firm to make a profitmonth-on-month between 2009 and2010.

The company negotiated better ratesfrom suppliers, introduced a “just intime” approach to delivery to avoidoverstocking and focusing on “stable”markets such as local authorities andschools.

The firm, which supplies white-boards for schools, also invested in itsown powder coating works to reduceunit costs and open up to anothermarket by providing the option topowder coat not only its own productsbut also those of other companies.

■ SHOP WORK: Ross Ball, ofHorizon Signs at Milnsbridge

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

4823.5Down 14.5

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.70 dollarsBangladesh................... 99.17 takaBrazil.............................. 2.40 realsCanada....................... 1.53 dollarsChina ............................. 9.19 yuanCzech Republic ...... 28.61 korunasDenmark....................... 8.58 kroneEuro............................... 1.16 euroHong Kong................ 11.22 dollarsHungary ................... 308.34 forintsIndia.......................... 62.51 rupeesJapan........................... 127.15 yenMexico ....................... 17.64 pesosNew Zealand .............. 2.04 dollarsNorway ......................... 9.33 kronePakistan.................. 122.17 rupeesPhilippines ................. 60.36 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.91 randSouth Korea.............. 1618.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 162.41 rupeesSweden....................... 11.07 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.54 francsTaiwan ...................... 42.70 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.26 new liraUSA ............................ 1.45 dollars

Carclo 1571/2 +1/2Chapelthorpe 23Marshalls 921/2 +71/2National Grid 4873/4 -1/8Weir Gp 1049 -3

Lloyds lightens the loadLLOYDS Banking Group has con-firmed a deal to offload investmentsbought by HBOS on a buying spreebefore its collapse.

The part-nationalised bank isselling about 70% of the portfolio to ajoint venture with private equity firmColler Capital for £332m – valuing theassets at £480m.

The portfolio, which includescinema chain Vue and shirt makerTM Lewin, is widely blamed for manyof the financial woes at HBOS, whichbought the assets at the height of themarket.

The holdings also include minoritystakes in 40 investments covering an

array of British businesses, such as SirTerence Conran’s restaurant empireD&D, gym chain David Lloyd andnewsagent and convenience groupMartin McColl.

Lloyds, which will hold a 30% stakein the joint venture, said Coller willretain the former HBOS teamresponsible for buying the assets.

Lloyds has now raised more than£750m from asset sales to shore up itsfinances following the rescue ofHBOS and subsequent taxpayer bailout. It still holds the ill-fated propertyand housebuilding portfolio, whichhas landed the group with hefty write-downs since the credit crunch.

Travis plumbs intoBSS takeover deal

BP oil spill costs hit 3bn dollarsTROUBLED petroleum giant BP saidclean-up costs for the Gulf of Mexicooil disaster have now passed the 3bndollar mark.

The oil company has spent 3.1bndollars – £2bn – so far on efforts tostop the leak and to settle damageclaims.

But BP shares rose by 2% yester-day after hefty falls again lastweek.

Speculation is mounting over thegroup’s efforts to raise capital – withreports that it has launched a hunt tofind a strategic investor in a move toward off hostile takeover attempts.

BP is said to be looking at sover-eign wealth funds, mirroring the tac-

tic used by Barclays when it soldstakes to state-funded Middle East-ern groups to avoid a Governmentbail-out at the height of the financialcrisis.

BP has lost close to 50% of itsstock market value since the Deep-water Horizon oil rig exploded andsank on April 20, killing 11 workersand causing the worst US oil spill inhistory.

Its share price plunge has put thegroup at potential risk of a hostiletakeover approach from rivals.

BP has declined to comment onrumours of its stake sale, except toconfirm its aim to raise cash asliabilities of the oil spill soar.

DividendresumesDEVELOPER StModwen Properties hasresumed dividendpayments after swingingback into profit for the sixmonths to May 31.

Birmingham-based StModwen reportedpre-tax profits of £26.7magainst losses of £98.3ma year earlier.

The regenerationspecialist said it hadlifted new assets pershare by 6.8% to 214p ashare since November,2009. Shareholders willget an interim dividend of1p a share.

The firm alsoannounced a deal to buy11 industrial estates for£21.4m with annualrental incomes of £2.2m.

Chairman AnthonyGlossop said he wasdelighted to report a“significant” improvementin trading performance.

PrisoncontractSECURITY group Sercois to run the newBelmarsh West prison inLondon after the servicescompany signed acontract with the Ministryof Justice worth £415mover 26 years.

The category B prison,which will be built bySerco’s constructionpartner Skanska, willaccommodate 900 adultmale prisoners.

A separate agreementrelating to Maghull prisonnear Liverpool will besigned later this year.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £26.06Gannett 868.16Hess Corp £33.11Microsoft 1538.61Motors Liquidation 49.59Wal-Mart Stores £31.74

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 1071/2 +6BAE Systems 3091/8 +5/8Rolls-Royce Gp 5411/2 -51/2VT Group 795 +6

AIMBrady Plc 56Dawson Intl 21/8Man Brnze 35 -1/2

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 1121/8 -3/8

BANKSBarclays 2591/4 -73/4HSBC 5961/4 -37/8Lloyds Banking Gp 543/4 +1/8Ryl Scotland 39 -11/8Stan Chart 1608 -3

BEVERAGESDiageo 1033 -4SABMiller 18271/2 -4

CHEMICALSCroda 1030 +26Elementis 98 63 +2Johnsn Mat 1479 -1

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2365/8 +25/8Costain 205 +4

ELECTRICITYDrax Grp 3805/8 +45/8

Intl Power 2967/8 +1Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1134 +6

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTChloride 372 -1Laird 1013/4 -13/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 2953/8 +3/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1261/4 -1/4Cable & WirelessComm

581/4 +3/8

Cable & WirelessWwide

86 +1

Colt Group 1255/8 -13/4KCOM 45 +11/4Talktalk Telecom 1183/4 -13/4

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2671/8 +3Sainsbury 3203/4 +15/8Tesco 389 +61/8

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 947 -2Nth Foods 433/4 -1/4Tate Lyle 4697/8 -23/4Unilever 1736 -6Uniq 12 +1/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 2931/4 +1/2National Grid 4873/4 -1/8Pennon Grp 557Severn 1230 +4United Utils 526 -21/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2561/2 -31/2ICAP 393 -13/4London StockExch 548 -21/2

Man Group 2123/4 -13/4Provident Financial 833 +71/2Schroders 1167 +13Schroders NV 963 +8

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 3831/8 +41/8REXAM 2903/8 -23/4Smiths Grp 1051 -3

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 13 +1/2Carphone Whse 187 +3DSG International 255/8 +3/8Home Retail 2151/4 +1Inchcape 2413/4 -17/8Kingfisher 2101/4 +21/2M & S 3417/8 +83/4Mothercare 534 +21/2Next £201/8 +1/4WH Smith 412 +1

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 580 -11/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 85 -21/2Barrat Dev 937/8 +11/2Persimmon 3481/2 +51/4Reckitt Benckiser £303/8 -1/8Taylor Wimpey 25 -5/8

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 605 +21/2I M I 6731/2 +71/2

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 2373/4 -23/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 1803/4 +3/4Forth Ports 1180 +14

LIFE INSURANCE

Aviva 3173/4 +25/8Lgl & Gen 755/8 -1/4Old Mutual 103 -1/2Prudential 4901/4 -33/4Resolution 68 +1Standard Life 1747/8 -11/8

MEDIABSkyB 694 -2Chrysalis 993/4 +1/4D Mail Tst 4401/8 -15/8ITV 481/4 -11/2Johnston Press 141/2Pearson 8871/2 +201/2Reed Elsevier 4951/8 +1/4STV Group 701/2Trinity Mirror 651/2 -33/4Utd Business 4931/2 -1UTV 1131/2 +3/4WPP 6311/2 +71/2Yell Group 25 -1/2

MININGAnglo American £221/2 -1/2Antofagasta 761 -161/2BHP Billiton 16841/2 -381/2Eurasian NaturalRes

818 -231/2

Fresnillo 950 -14Kazakhmys 9671/2 -17Lonmin 1360 -18Rio Tinto £283/4 -1/2VEDANTARESOURCES

£21 -1/4

Xstrata 851 -201/8MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 711 +7Vodafone Group 1361/2

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1398 -2RSA Insurance Gp 1183/8 -5/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1038 +121/2BP 3331/4 +111/4Cairn Energy 4163/8 -53/4Norsk Hdro 4743/4Royal Dutch Shell A 16351/2 -13Royal Dutch Shell B 1561 -151/2Total £297/8 -1/8Tullow Oil 1041 -5

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 821 +4Petrofac 1164 -8Wood Group 3191/4 -13/4

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry 745 +51/2PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £301/2 -3/8Axis-Shield 2451/2 +91/2

GlaxoSmithK XD 131/2Shire 1350 -15

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4373/4 +13/8Captl Shop Cent 3015/8 -31/4DTZ Hldgs 65 -1/4Hamrsn 3361/4 -3/8Land Secs 545 -61/2SEGRO 2531/8 -13/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1761 -40Dimension Data 903/4 -1/4Invensys 2421/2 -5/8Logica 1033/4 -1/4Misys 230 -17/8Sage Group 2223/4 -11/2

SUPPORT SERVICESBunzl 658 -6Capita 7381/2 +41/2Davis ServiceGroup

363 +23/4

De La Rue 9521/2 +4Electrocomp 2095/8 +1/4Experian 5821/2 +41/2G4S 2661/4 +35/8Hays 891/8 +3/4Homeserve £201/8 +1/4Menzies J 3711/4 -3/4Rentokil 1043/8 +3/4Smiths News 113 -23/4Wolseley 1330 +8

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 2707/8 +3/8Psion 78 +4Spirent Comms 1101/2 +3/8

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £211/4 +1/8Imperial Tobacco 1865 +15

LEISURE & HOTELS

Arriva 7631/2Brit Airways 1865/8 -13/4Carnival £211/8 -1/4Compass Grp 5111/2 +6easyJet 392 -47/8Enterprise Inns 873/4 -3/8FirstGroup 3631/4 +11/4Go-Ahead 1053Greene King 4197/8 +43/4Intercontl Htls 1047 -4Ladbrokes 1273/8 +13/4Mitchells & Butlers 2813/8 +4Natl Express 2173/4 +41/4PartyGaming 2203/4 +23/8Rank Org 100 +1/4Stagecoach Group 1761/4 +13/4TUI Travel 2093/4 +3/4Whitbread 1373 +6

INDEXFTSE 100 4823.53 -14.56

INDEXFTSE 250 9301.35 +24.96

BUILDERS’ merchant Travis Per-kins has tabled a £558m takeover bidfor plumbing supplies specialist BSS.

The proposed tie-up, which hasbeen backed by the board ofLeicester-based BSS, will make theWickes owner a leader in the tradeand retail distribution of plumbingand heating products.

BSS started life as British SteamSpecialities in 1899. It now operatesfrom 439 branches in the UK, gener-ating revenues of £1.35bn and profitsof £49.6 m in the year to March 31.

The cash and shares deal is thelargest undertaken by Travis since the£950m takeover of the Wickes DIYchain in 2005.

Northampton-based Travis, whichwill gain access to new areas of theplumbing and heating supplies sector,

said it had believed for some time thatconsolidation was vital in the build-ers’ merchant industry.

As well as creating a leading busi-ness in the sector, it said it will havethe size and scale to purchaseproducts more competitively.

It expects to achieve annual costsavings of at least £25m by 2013, madeup of £19m in purchasing benefits and£6m from overheads.

Travis Perkins chairman RobertWalker said: “Our respective busi-nesses are complementary and welook forward to working with BSS’scustomers, suppliers and employ-ees.”

BSS, which employs about 5,000people, adds to Travis’s existing14,500-strong workforce and 1,238UK sites.

It was founded in Nottinghambefore moving its head office toLeicester in 1900. BSS has grownthrough a number of smaller acquisi-tions in recent years, including theaddition of Direct Heating Spares lastyear.

The deal is subject to shareholderapproval, although Travis said it hadalready received undertakings of sup-port from about 35% of BSSinvestors.

Collins Stewart analyst ImranAkram said the deal should boostTravis’s share of the plumbing andheating supplies market from 17% toabout 25%.

He said it would also remove majorquestions over Travis’ growth pro-spects.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

RichardConroy

ConroyBrook

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Chief execut-iveAge: 38Family: Married toRachel with daughterElsaHolidays: Franceand TuscanyCar: Land RoverDiscoveryBest thing aboutjob: Giving peopletheir dream homeand seeing theirdelightWorst thingabout job: Bureau-cracy red tape and –in these tough times– the intransigence ofthe banksBusiness tip: Putyour faith in quality

Work: Propertydevelopment andhousebuildngSite: BrockholesEmployees: 15Phone: 01484667777Email: [email protected]: www.conroybrook.co.uk

Careerchoiceis bydesign

A BUILDING company basedin the Holme Valley is defyingthe uncertain economicclimate.

Conroy BrookDevelopments has seenstrong demand for houses atits prestigious BroomfieldAvenue development atSavile Park in Halifax while ithas also sold 40 out of 46apartments at its HolmeValley Court retirementcomplex in Holmfirth – withthe remaining six allreserved.

It is a thoroughly satisfyingstate of affairs for chiefexecutive Richard Conroy,who sees it as vindication fora long-standing policy tofocus on quality design andconstruction – even in theface of a damagingrecession.

The Halifax development ofeight town houses and eightdetached homes is beingmarketed by Conroy Booth asSavile Row Meets SavilePark. Fourteen of the 16natural stone properties havebeen sold or reserved – withall interest secured prior todevelopment. The first fourhomes – which were soldoff-plan in the first phase ofthe scheme – are nowcomplete and Conroy Brook’shousebuilding arm TowngateHomes is now progressingwith the remainder of thescheme.

“It has been a tough lastcouple of years,” saysRichard. “But BroomfieldAvenue has continued to sellwell. We are having to workhard, but we are gettingresults by working hard.

“But because we arerelatively small, we are lighton our feet. We can work withindividual customers and givethem an individual service.For instance, customers canchoose the kitchens,bathrooms, woodwork andeven the door handles fortheir home.

“At Holme Valley Court, wecould have sold theapartments twice over. Wenow have a waiting list for thesix that are currentlyreserved.”

The firm’s apartmentdevelopment at SomersburyCourt, Almondbury – whichboasts money-saving airsource heat pump technology– is now 50% full. Althoughinitially aimed at first-timebuyers, the flats are provingpopular among older peopledownsizing from the familyhome.

While Conroy Brook and itsoperating companies –Towngate Homes and ConroyHomes – are weathering thestorm, Richard says morecould be done to revive thehousing market.

“The market picked upearlier in the year, but sincethe general election it hasgone quieter,” he says. “Thereis uncertainty over the newgovernment’s planning policyand how it intends to meetdemand for new homes andthe budget hasn’t doneanything positive to help theindustry.

“People are still strugglingto get mortgages and untilfirst-time buyers can get ontothe property ladder it isdifficult for others to move upit.”

Richard gained valuable

experience of the propertyindustry before joining hisfather, Ivan, in the familybusiness.

Richard studied surveyingat Reading University andworked for 10 years inLondon – first for TaylorWoodrow and later forStanhope plc, where he wasassistant to well-knownLondon developer Sir StuartLipton. After that, Richardtook a year out to complete amasters degree at Harvard inthe USA and sample “designand real estateAmerican-style”.

“Following that, I wassupposed to go back toLondon to resume my job, butmy wife Rachel and I hadenough of London. She wastraining to be a teacher atSheffield University and Idecided to work for the familybusiness.

“I very much enjoyedworking in London. I wasworking on some big,high-profile projects, but I hadalways wanted to be my ownboss, albeit in a much smallerway. Working on thoseprojects taught me a lot. Itwas excellent grounding.”

Richard still makes a pointof visiting America every year

“to catch up on things andlook at some of theirskyscrapers”. He says: “In theUSA, they build a lot moreefficiently and morecost-effectively. They have alot of space, so they don’thave the same planningrestrictions. They also have a‘can-do’ attitude.

“However, we do a lot ofthings right in this country.We need to keep the best ofthe traditional buildings wehave, but you have tocombine that with moremodern element. Forinstance, people are lookingfor open plan and flexiblespace.”

Richard was brought up ina world of building sites andbulldozers. “I can rememberfirst going on a building siteat Scholes when I was two orthree,” he says. “I worked onsites during school holidaysand I have mixed my fairshare of cement and carriedmy fair share of bricks.”

Now he shares an office atthe firm’s Brockholesheadquarters with his father.Ivan retains a key role in thebusiness – and has recentlybeen in Romania whereConroy Homes is building aone-off house for a friend in asuburb of Bucharest.

Working closely with hisfather is no problem forRichard. “We have someinteresting moments,” hesays. “We see eye to eye onmost issues because wehave both been brought upwith the ethos of providingquality and doing your best.

“I suppose he is atraditional entrepreneur whileI’m slightly more cautious.But we work well togetherand we have a very goodteam behind us.”

Conroy Brook and itssubsidiaries posted combinedturnover of £10m last year.Richard says the aim willcontinue to be consolidation– positioning the business inthe gap in the marketbetween the “one-man band”and the big housingcompanies.

Being flexible has allowed

Conroy Brook to diversity –into the health sector throughits scheme to deliver aclose-care unit for theHollybank Trust at Holmfirth –as well as the retirementhomes market. Richard isalso talking to potentialpartners about socialhousing.

Richard gets away fromwork by finding time forfamily. He and wife Rachelhave an 11-month-olddaughter, Elsa.

He also has a passion formotorbikes – and hill walking.

“I started by competing inmoto-cross as a kid andeventually raced at clublevel,” says Richard. “I havefallen off at most race tracksacross the country, but luckilywithout major injury. Theworst that happened wasbreaking my foot. I officiallyretired about five years agoand I now have a KawasakiZX10. It’s hellishly fast andyou have to treat it withrespect. I still keep my hand

in at the occasional trackday.”

Hill walking couldn’t seemmore of a contrast, butRichard’s just as happytrudging in the Peak Districtas he is pounding the tarmac.

Not surprisingly, he isintensely interested in designand architecture and seeks toinclude elements of the bestin modern architecture inConroy Brook’s ownschemes. “It’s not just aboutmaking buildings, it’s aboutmaking places,” he says.

“We are very conservativein this country and people arescared of anything innovativeor new. Most buildingschemes get dumbed downto the lowest commondenominator and we end upwith architectural ‘pastiches’and red-brick boxes. Gooddesign can make a differenceand modern architecture anddesign at its best can have abeneficial effect.”

■ HOME FRONT: RichardConroy says Conroy Brook hasweathered the storm

local

Everybody happy? It’stime to let Sarah know

■ CHIEF OF STAFF: Sarah Sargeant turned up some interesting answerswhen she polled O2 employees on being happy at work

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Reviewing the budget moves

TAXTALKColin Barratt

Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawilland Sudworth chartered accountants,

Huddersfield

THE intention of new ChancellorGeorge Osborne’s emergency

budget delivered a couple of weeks agois to tackle the public deficit whiledemonstrating that “Britain is open forbusiness.”

As expected an increase in the rate of capitalgains tax was announced for disposal ofnon-business assets on or after June 23, 2010.The rate is increased to 28% and applies totaxable gains or part of gains which exceed thebasic rate band, which for 2010-11 is£37,400.

The CGT rate of 18% continues to apply toindividuals where taxable gains and incomefall within the basic rate band as well as to allgains of non-business assets made prior toJune 23. Because of the discrepancy in CGTrates for higher rate tax payers, they will beallowed to deduct capital losses and the annualCGT exemption of £10,100 in the way whichminimises their CGT liability.

In an unexpected but welcome announce-ment, the amount of gains that can qualify forEntrepreneurs’ Relief was increased from £2mto £5m. But for individuals (or trustees) whomade qualifying gains above the previous £2mlimit before June 23, no additional relief forthose gains will be allowed following theincrease to £5m.

For those under 65, the Personal Allowanceis to be increased by £1,000 to £7,475 from

April 6, 2011, and the basic rate limit will bereduced so that higher rate taxpayers do notbenefit from the increase in the allowance.

By increasing the allowance, the governmentstates that 880,000 people will be taken out oftax altogether.

In a pre-election pledge, the Chancellor alsocommitted to reduce the headline rates ofCorporation Tax.

For companies with taxable profits in excessof £1.5m, the main rate is to be reduced from28% to 27% from April 1, 2011. Furthergraduated reductions are to be made until themain rate is 24% by April 1, 2014.

The CT rate applied to companies whoseprofits are less than £300,000 is to be reducedfrom 21% to 20% from April 1, 2011.

Changes to tax relief on business capital

expenditure were also announced in theBudget. The major change was the reductionin amount of expenditure qualifying for the100% Annual Investment Allowance. The cur-rent limit of £100,000 is to be reduced to£25,000 from April 1, 2012.

Also, the general rates of writing downallowance are to be reduced from 20% to 18%on expenditure allocated to the main pool andfrom 10% to 8% on expenditure allocated tothe special pool, such as cars with CO2emission over 160/kg and fixtures integral to abuilding.

Those businesses planning significant cap-ital outlay over the next year or so shouldcarefully consider the timing of their expendit-ure so as to maximise the tax relief available.

As widely predicted, the Chancellor alsoannounced an increase in the standard rate ofVAT from 17.5% to 20% which will come intoeffect from January 4, 2011, with measures tobe prevent transactions aimed at forestallingthe increase in rate.

WHAT’S the secret to being happy inyour work?

A farmer’s daughter from DenbyDale reckons she has the answer afterconducting a “happiness” surveyamong workers at mobile phonescompany O2.

Sarah Sargeant, head of the O2Customer Service People Pro-gramme, invited the firm’s call centreadvisers to suggest ways of makingtheir working lives more enjoyable.

Now she is helping put their ideasinto practice.

Suggestions ranged from provid-ing staff with clear career pathsthrough training, coaching andmentoring to giving workers“break-out” time to aid their healthand well-being. Others wanted to seefun events and more family time.

Said Sarah: “All too often whencompanies want to improve thingsfor employees, they ask managers tothink of ways of achieving that goal.These ideas are then imposed onstaff.

“We believe in doing it the otherway round. We think our employeesare the best people to come up withideas for enhancing their workinglives and environment. We want tofind out what will motivate them andhow we can help them move up in theorganisation.”

Sarah admits she likes a challenge.She lives by the maxim of “doingsomething every day that scares” –

which recently included taking partin the Manchester Shine Marathon.

In her working world, her chal-lenge is to engage everyone in cus-tomer service, so that they stay loyalto the company and give customersthe best possible service.

She strongly believes that employ-ees should have a say in how theirpart of the company should progressif it is to be a fulfilling and fun placeto work – which is how the PeopleProgramme came about.

Sarah began by taking 100 staff ofall grades on a two-day brain-storm-ing break in the Lake District andchallenged them to come up withideas to enhance their jobs, careerprospects and working environ-ment.

Said Sarah: “We wanted ouremployees to tell us how they felt. Weasked for volunteers who wanted tomake a difference and more than 500people came forward. Those whowere selected left their job titles at thedoor and worked in teams.

“Following workshops, they gavepresentations to Cheryl Black, cus-tomer service director, and her topteam in a Dragon’s Den format.

“After two days, we ended up withsome really exciting ideas. We werebowled over by their enthusiasm.They are empowered to make changehappen and some of their ideas arealready being put into practice.”

Sarah said: “Listening to staff is

critical and time well-spent. I believepassionately that a fulfilled, happyand engaged employee who feels val-

ued and respected will do a betterjob.

“One of the most rewarding com-

ments to come out of the PeopleProgramme event was from someonewho said: ‘Prior to the conference, Ihad lost enthusiasm and was consid-ering leaving O2. I have now com-pletely turned around’.”

Projects already under way includeTwinville – the opportunity for staffto “shadow” someone in anotherdepartment to learn more about thedifferent career opportunities in thecompany. Staff also suggested Step-ping Stones – an online portalenabling advisers to chart their owncareer development, link to a mentorand get help with career essentialssuch as CVs.

Other projects include providinghealth and well-being space – avail-able on-site for relaxation in breaktime. There will also be Fun Champi-ons for each of O2 UK’s four cus-tomer service centres in Bury,Runcorn, Leeds and Glasgow. Theywill help co-ordinate activities ran-ging from family days to events suchas running a fantasy football league.

O2 staff gave their employer aringing endorsement in a recentSunday Times survey which put themin the UK’s best 25 big companies towork for. The survey said that O2staff feel in tune with their work-mates and very connected with thefirm. They were also said to careabout giving a good service and wereproud to work for O2.

Awards deadlineTHERE’S just days left for Kirkleesbusiness men and women to enter theannual Barclays Trading Places Awards.Enterprising individuals who havebeaten the odds to turn their businessdreams into a reality have until Friday,July 16, to send in their nominations.Entry forms are available in Barclaysbranches, by phone on 020 86732020 orat www.barclays.co.uk/tradingplaces.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local

Turning retailinto theatre

Town’s landmark dealtackles laws of the game

■ LAW REPORT: Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle (right)with Jeremy Garside, senior partner at law firm ChadwickLawrence

A LANDMARK deal has beensigned between HuddersfieldTown and law firm ChadwickLawrence.

The agreement sees thelaunch of “Town’s Legal People”,a dedicated service offeringadvice to Town supporters on alllegal matters.

Chadwick Lawrence, whichhas offices at Railway Street inHuddersfield, is also committedto supporting the Keep It Upcampaign run by Town andYorkshire Air Ambulance.

So 10% of any work the lawfirm undertakes through Town’sLegal People will go towardsfunding the football club’sacademy and the charity.

Chadwick Lawrence has beenone of Huddersfield Town’s keypartners over the past twoseasons. In previous years,Chadwick Lawrence has

sponsored the YorkshireBusiness Forums and a numberof other similar networkingevents held by HuddersfieldTown at the Galpharm Stadium.

Jeremy Garside, seniorpartner at Chadwick Lawrence,said: “Our continuedsponsorship of HuddersfieldTown and the launch of adedicated legal service for fansis evidence of our long-termcommitment to both the club andthe region.”

Town chairman Dean Hoylesaid: “This unique deal takes ourpartnership with ChadwickLawrence to a new level.

“It also demonstrates thecalibre of companies which areinvolved with the football club,which is increasingly attractinginterest and support from someof the Yorkshire region’s majorplayers.”

A DESIGN company inHuddersfield has teamed up withcar maker Chrysler for a summercampaign.The Sharp Agency, based at thetown’s Media Centre, andCheshire-based agency 438 wereengaged to help raise awarenessof the manufacturer’s familyvehicles.The campaign kicked off with anumber of activities centred onNational Family Week.During the half-term holiday,events were held at venuesincluding city centre shoppingmalls, municipal parks, nationalheritage sites and sports grounds,including Twickenham and theCity Ground in Manchester. To addto the fun, a deal was struck withHasbro to offer toys and games.The campaign is already achieving

excellent results with more than30,000 returns to date.Nigel Land, marketing director ofChrysler said: “Working inpartnership with two agencies isreally allowing us to challengeboth our strategic and creativeapproach to live marketing.“This enables us to speak withrelevance to our tightly-definedtarget audience groups andensure we use the correctchannels to amplify our marketing

investment.”This is the latest activity in aprogramme of “experiential” workSharp and 438 are developing forChrysler, which will culminate in amajor campaign planned for Jeepduring the autumn.Centred on the banner, Life’sUltimate Adventure, the campaignplanning is well under way and willhelp prepare the ground for thebrand’s launch of the all-newGrand Cherokee in 2011.

College puts its faith inBatley technology firmA TECHNOLOGY company inBatley has landed a key con-tract.

Leeds City College has selec-ted Caltech, a leading supplier ofcustomer relationship manage-ment systems to install itsMicrosoft Dynamics CRM sys-tem to handle key processes atthe college and help it developfurther links with its many busi-ness customers.

The college is one of thelargest and most influential inthe country with more than45,000 students and a turnoverof £80m a year.

Paul Titman, the college’sbusiness manager for comput-ing, said: “We expect the move toMicrosoft Dynamics CRM toprovide significant value for ourcollege.

“The programs and featuresare familiar to our people andflexible for our needs. Caltech’sexper t i s e wi th Microsof tDynamics made them the rightchoice to help make this project a

success.”Rob Walwyn, project manager

at Caltech, said: “MicrosoftDynamics CRM provides highvalue for our customers. Theeducation sector is an excitingmarket, so it’s fantastic to beworking with such an influentialorganisation as Leeds City Col-lege.”

Caltech, based at Batley Busi-ness Park, is one of the UK’sleading suppliers and imple-menters of CRM software. Thefirm works with clients to man-age their customer contactstrategies, operational processesand daily business functions inorder to maintain audience loy-alty, increase awareness anddrive sales.

Caltech works with customersin sectors including manufactur-ing, pharmaceuticals, finance,leisure and retail, distributionand marketing as well as organ-isations such as local authoritiesand sporting clubs and associ-ations.

A YORKSHIRE company tookcentre stage when the curtain rose ona major retailing conference.

Barkisland-based business trans-formation specialists Insight withPassion delivered an innovative sem-inar on “retail theatre” at the fifthannual World Congress at London’sQueen Elizabeth II ConferenceCentre.

Insight partners Kate Hardcastleand Richard Gomersall providedadvice and suggested practical waysto improve the environment in towncentre stores as a way of increasingshopping time and average customerspend.

The seminar highlighted how retailtheatre was being used by for-ward-thinking retailers to great suc-cess – but had yet to be widelyadopted on the high street.

Said Kate: “Retail theatre tech-niques have been used successfully byN i ke, N at i o n a l G e og r ap h i c ,Landrover and more.

“As far back as 2001, John Lewisgave its Oxford Street store amulti-million pound retail theatremakeover which transformed thesales floor and put it streets ahead ofits rivals.”

The presentation to delegates at theWorld Congress focused on howtransforming the look, feel, sounds,scents and the service deliveredin-store could help town centre retailbusinesses transform their sales floor

and increase footfall and profit.Insight with Passion, founded in

January 2009, is working with clientsacross sectors as diverse as interiors,finance, fashion and online services.

■ CURTAIN CALL: Kate Hardcastle and Richard Gomersall, of businessconsultancy Insight With Passion, were centre stage at the annual WorldCongress in London

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSlocal Networks aimto cut costsand wasteCOMPANIES across Kirkleescan now benefit from onlinesupport to cut costs, waste andcarbon emissions.Business support groupCO2Sense Yorkshire haslaunched a series of freenetworks and is encouragingas many people as possible tosign up and become members.Professionals can join any ofmore than 20 networks set upto share knowledge and bestpractice in a number ofspecialist areas.The public networks coversectors such as carbon captureand storage, renewable energy,food and drink, plastics andwood fuel.Private networks have alsobeen established for localauthority waste management,resource efficiency in the NHSand members of the GreenBusiness SupportOrganisation.The interactive network forumscompliment CO2Sense’swebsite by allowing people totake part in online discussionsand find solutions to commonindustry problems.They also meet CO2Sense’sobjectives of lowering theregion’s carbon footprint andhelping businesses to reducecosts and encourage growth.Jeanine Willoughby, projectexecutive for CO2SenseYorkshire, said: “The networkshave been launched to givetechnical advice and offerexamples of best practice. Andto give members peace ofmind, they have support at justthe click of a button.“Learning from others is oftenthe best way to solve problemsand by creating this onlinedoorway to other professionalswithin specific industries, I amconfident both individuals andbusinesses will benefit fromthis resource.”To register for on a networkvisitwww.co2sense.org.uk/networks

Here is the news– and the snooze!THERE’S nothing new about having atelevision in the bedroom – but a TV inthe bed?

Flockton couple Andrea andAndrew Montgomery woke up to theidea of providing bespoke beds withfitted TV screens after buying onethemselves from a leading high streetretailer – and being disappointed withthe product.

Said Andrea: “We bought a TV bed afew years ago. It provided a real focalpoint in the house, but the quality ofmanufacture and design was not reallythat good.”

Andrea, who previously worked inbanking, and Andrew, an IT consult-ant, decided to set up Visual ComfortLtd.

The company makes bespoke TVbeds for style-conscious individual cus-tomers, providers of studio apartmentsand the boutique hotel sector.

Its recently-launched Sandman is ahand-made super king-size bed with asilent and smooth system capable oflifting a 40-inch screen out of the framein seconds.

Andrea and Andrew joined forceswith Richard Booth and DarrenBattye, of Slaithwaite-based homecinema specialists RB Vision to

develop the product – with RB Visiontaking care of the screen and soundelements.

Branding and web design have beenundertaken by Lepton-based Black-smith Design Consultancy.

Now the product is being marketedamong furniture retailers, interiordesigners and the hotel industry and isset to be featured at major trade exhib-itions during 2010.

Said Andrea: “The bed is supremelywell made and gloriously comfortablewhile the audio-visual dimension virtu-ally transforms the Sandman into anintimate and relaxing home cinema.

“It reflects the trend for makingbedrooms more than just places tosleep, but venues for relaxation andviewing movies and live TV.

“The bed can be upholstered andtailored to individual clients’ needs andwe also offer a full consultancy serviceto clients wishing to take the design tothe ultimate level.

“We use sustainable materials wherepossible and the lighting is highly effi-cient low voltage technology, whichmakes the bed environmentally friendlyas well as something of a style state-ment – a bit of a dream combina-tion!”

■ LATE SHOW: Andrea Montgomery, of Visual Comfort Ltd triesout the Sandman – billed as the ultimate TV bed

They’re all ale and hearty in BrighouseA BRIGHOUSE company is helpingkeep the beer flowing for a famousbrewery.

Boge Compressors Ltd, based atRastrick Common, have supplied ascrew compressor to power thecask-filling process at theaward-winning Black Sheep Breweryin Masham, North Yorkshire.

Compressed air is used at variousstages in the brewing process.

The brewery was already using aBoge screw compressor for all itsmachine and valve actuation when itstarted looking to expand the caskline four years ago.

Alan Dunn, head brewer, specifieda Boge compressor for the new linedue to the efficiency and reliability ofthe brewery’s existing Bogeequipment.

Said Mr Dunn: “We rely on theefficiency of our cask line in gettingmore than 80,000 pints of Black

Sheep ales and bitters out of thedoor every day.

“The Boge compressor has provento be very reliable and efficient. Asthe casks are filled, a dedicatedsupply of sterile compressed aircompresses the build up of foam.This speeds up the filling processand facilitates the prompt turnaroundof casks.”

Boge Compressors Ltd is part ofBoge International, based inBielefeld, Germany.

The firm makes a range of screwand piston compressors used tosupply compressed air for a widerange of manufacturing processes.

It also supplies a range of filters,dryers and condensate managementequipment. The products are soldand serviced through a dedicatednetwork of 36 distributors throughoutthe UK and Ireland.

■ CASK TASK: Brighouse-based BOGE Compressors has suppliedequipment to award-winning The Black Sheep Brewery

Spotlight onKirklees firmsKIRKLEES firm get the chanceto spotlight their products andservices to a Yorkshireaudience next week.A business-to-businessexhibition called Bloom inBusiness will be staged onWednesday, July 14, at theCedar Court Hotel, Wakefield. Itwill include an area dedicatedto firms in their first year oftrading.Victoria Roberts, director ofBloom In Business Ltd, saidthe aim was to give youngbusinesses a chance tocompete on a level playingfield with establishedcompanies.Attendance is free, but registerat www.bloominbusiness.co.uk

Bank cashes in with green awardYORKSHIRE Bank’s “green” cre-dentials have been recognised in theBus iness in the Communi tyAwards.

The bank, which has branchesacross Kirklees, was awarded thecoveted Gold Environment IndexAccreditation.

It is one of only six organisations

in the region to be presented with thegold award out of more than 100entries to the Yorkshire and HumberEnvironment Index. The award waspresented at the Cedar Court Hotelin Bradford.

Yorkshire Bank was praised byC02Sense Yorkshire for the measuresit has taken to reduce its impact on

the environment.The bank was also named as one

of five Climate Change Championswith a score exceeding 95% for thatsection – having reduced its impacton the climate for three years ormore.

This is the second year in whichYorkshire Bank has been named a

Climate Change Champion, com-mended for continuing to measure itscarbon emissions and reduce carbonover the organisation as a whole.

Entrants signing up to the indexundergo checks to validate the envir-onmental claims they make and feed-back is offered suggesting ways tomake further improvements.

WINNER

This Liversedge based company is an amazing successstory. After being placed in administration in May2009 by its parent group, with the loss of 40 staff, amanagement buy-out (followed by lots of hard workand the goodwill of previous suppliers and customers)has seen the business expand to become a leading UKsupplier of architectural metals. With staff numbersback to the status-quo, the company provides jobs,business and training opportunities across the region.

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH AWARDS - REWARDING SUCCESS SINCE 1995

Eaton Smith is proud to helpbusinesses across the regionachieve their objectives byproviding support on local,national and international legalmatters and transactions.

CONGRATULATIONS!

1ST RUNNER UPPLOUGHCROFT LTDLocated in Brighouse, this family-runroofing industry specialist has shownremarkable determination to toughout the current economic climate bydeveloping niche areas of work suchas solar panelling, a successfulfranchise operation, and training tothe industry.

With a Wakefield HQ and otheroffices in the UK, this leadingarchitect practice continues toenhance its reputation and growits client base. It has maintainedits workflow by diversifying itsportfolio of work and developingits expertise.

2ND RUNNER UPTHE HARRIS PARTNERSHIP

15thyear

AWARDS 2010BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Enter our Business of the Month AwardEstablished by Eaton Smith in 1995, the award has been won by a diverse rangeof businesses over that time. No matter how large or small your business orworkforce, all applications are treated equally.

Monthly winners are automatically entered into our Business of the Year Awards,held every July, when the preceding twelve monthly winners and members ofthe business community attend the annual breakfast awards ceremony.

So if you are proud of what your company has achieved and it is based inKirklees, Calderdale or Wakefield why not tell us about your success story.

If you would like more informationon how to enter, please contact:

Deborah Melluish,Eaton Smith LLPTel: 01484 821300Email: [email protected] visit our websitewww.eatonsmith.co.uk and followthe link to Business of the Month.

AS FABRICATIONS (UK) LTD

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local

COUGARadding biteA SALES and marketingcompany has launched a newtelemarketing system togenerate leads across thecountry.Denby Dale-based DPAMarketing launched theCOUGAR system to allow firmsto generate “warm” leads bytargeting the ideal recipients fortheir goods and services, sendthem an email and follow up byphone.A number of DPA’s clients havealready signed up to the system.Colin Beaumont, of DPA, said: “Itis our own software and it allowsour clients to see which linkshave been followed by theirtarget contacts – and what thesecontacts have been looking at onour clients’ websites.”DPA Marketing clients haveincluded Huddersfield Universityand the National Coal MiningMuseum.

Heed thiswarning fromthe taxmanKIRKLEES firms have beenhanded a warning from thetaxman.HM Revenue & Customs isissuing a reminder to businessesacross Yorkshire affected by newonline filing requirements for VATreturns.On average, there are about14,000 new VAT registrationseach year across Yorkshire.Under new rules, existingVAT-registered businesses withannual turnovers of £100,000 ormore and any businesses whichregistered for VAT from April 1,2010, now have to file their VATreturns online and pay their VATelectronically.The vast majority of traders filetheir VAT returns quarterly andthe first quarterly returnsaffected by the changes arethose covering April to June,2010.For most online filing customers,they must be filed online byAugust 7.Stephen Banyard, director ofHMRC’s Business CustomerUnit, said: “The vast majority ofcustomers affected by the newarrangements have alreadyenrolled for HMRC’s VAT Onlineservice and many have also filedtheir first returns online.“However, if you’re aVAT-registered trader who isaffected by these changes andyou haven’t yet signed up, youneed to take action now.”Customers wishing to sign up forthe VAT Online service should goto the HMRC website –www.online.hmrc.gov.uk/registration.htm – and follow theinstructions on screen.For more information about theregistration process go towww.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/vat-online/index.htm

Brewing up businessat Blackburn RoversA COFFEE distributor in Hud-dersfield has netted a new deal –with the caterers supplyingBlackburn Rovers.

Cooper’s Coffee, based atCooper Bridge, will supply theNorthcote Group, whichincludes the Michelin StarNorthcote Hotel, four RibbleValley Inns gastro pubs andNorthcote at The Rovers– thegroup’s outside catering divi-sion serving the Premiershipfootball club.

Cooper’s Coffee will providea full range of Fairtrade coffeeand teas as well as coffee equip-ment. Northcote, formerlyknown as Northcote Manor, isalso taking a range of Cooper’sproducts for its hotel rooms,including coffee sticks, hotchocolate sachets and teas.

Cooper’s won all the businessafter initially supplying one ofthe Ribble Valley Inns, TheBul l , at Broughton nearSkipton.

The Northcote Group isco-owned by celebrity chefNigel Haworth and wine expertCraig Bancroft.

They have been runningNorthcote since 1983 andNorthcote at the Rovers, out-side caterer at BlackburnRovers’ Ewood Park since 2001.

They formed Ribble Valley Innsin 2004.

Cooper’s managing directorDavid Cooper said: “After asuccessful nine months withThe Bull, we’re delighted thatNigel and Craig have decided tointroduce Cooper’s into all their

venues.“After recently entering the

sports stadiums sector, we areparticularly excited to be alsosupporting our first premier-ship team with Northcote atThe Rovers, taking our tally offootball clubs to 10 in total.”

■ WINNING BLEND: Nigel Haworth (left), of the NorthcoteGroup, with David Cooper, of Cooper's Coffee, who have agreeda catering deal

PM urged to fundyouth enterpriseWEST Yorkshire entrepreneurClaire Young has urged Prime Min-ister David Cameron to do more toinspire young people to get intobusiness.

Claire, a finalist in the 2008 seriesof TV’s The Apprentice, now workswith students of all ages and withBirstall-based design and market-ing agency Fantastic Media to raiseaspirations and encourage youngenterprise.

She told Mr Cameron that workto encourage enterprise was notbeing properly measured – so thatin years to come the governmentwould not be able to accuratelyjudge the effect of its investment.

She also argued that the currentsecondary curriculum did not equipyoung people with the life skillsneeded post-education.

Mr Cameron praised Claire’sinvolvement in enterprise and theinspirational role she plays inschools.

He said all businesses and thepeople working in them had a socialresponsibility to engage with youngpeople and work with local schools

to encourage students to participatein enterprise projects and buildskills that they will use throughouttheir lives.

He also commented that TVshows such as The Apprentice andDragon’s Den had a positive effecton students encouraging entrepren-

eurship.Mr Cameron was speaking at a

question and answer session atLeeds Trinity and All Saints’ Col-lege after holding a cabinet meetingin West Yorkshire. Key figures fromboth public and private sector wereinvited to participate.

Said Claire: “I’m passionateabout enterprise and work extens-ively with young people nation-wide.

“ I felt I had to take the oppor-tunity to question the Prime Minis-ter on their behalf.

“Hopefully, we’ll see the new gov-ernment backing enterpr iseschemes and encouraging youngpeople to think big!”

Claire, who also runs venuesmanagement company ElegantVenues, is an official patron ofYorkshire – a title conferred on herby regional tourism agency Wel-come to Yorkshire, which set up thepatronage scheme last year to createa list of high-profile ambassadorswho will fly the flag for the countyand further boost tourism.

■ PM’S QUESTIONS: Claire Young, 2008 finalist in The Apprentice,got the chance to quiz Prime Minister David Cameron on enterprise

Triumph oftechnologyYORKSHIRE technology firms havebeen urged to enter a national award.Entries are now open for the 2010Deloitte Fast 50 Technology awards.The awards, which are in their 13thyear, recognise and rank technologycompanies with an exceptional growthin turnover over the last five years.Rob Seldon, Deloitte’s Leeds-basedtechnology partner for the north, said:“The Technology Fast 50 Awards arean opportunity for businesses to gainrecognition for their successes andachievements over the previous 12months.“The technology industry has turned acorner recently and confidence isreturning to the market.“As Yorkshire is particularly strong inthis sector, we are keen to encouragetechnology companies in the region totake part and look forward to seeinghow they have fared in this year’sranking.”Last year’s winning entry wasDistribution Technology, whichsupplies a range of financial softwareproducts that enable qualifiedadvisers to pinpoint key products andcross-sell others to customers fasterand more efficiently.It works with 25 major financialservices organisations in the UK.For full details, award entry forms anddetails of the criteria for entries, go towww.fast50.co.uk

For more information contact Alec Michaelon 07717 870 320 or email [email protected]

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property

Centre pointsAN office development in West Yorkshireis now 95% let following a major deal.Civil service union the Public andCommercial Services Union has taken6,315sq ft of office space on the thirdfloor of Town Centre House – thesix-storey refurbished office building inthe heart of the Merrion Centre in Leeds.That leaves just over 2,000sq ft left to letin the flagship building, which is ownedand managed by Leeds-based TownCentre Securities PLC.

Gold award forlettings agencyA LETTINGS agency inHuddersfield has scooped agold award.

Belvoir Lettings, which hasan office at John WilliamStreet in the town centre, wasnamed best lettings agencyfranchise in the annual Let-tings Agency of the YearAwards in London.

O p e r a t i o n s d i r e c t o rDorian Gonsalves acceptedthe award from comedianRuby Wax at a ceremony inLondon.

Judges cited stringentstandards and the appoint-ment of high calibre fran-chisees as the main reasonsfor Belvoir’s success, adding:“The company’s business for-mula is proven to work andwe are delighted to awardBelvoir Lettings the gold.”

Belvoir chief executiveMike Goddard said: “I’mhugely proud of what Belvoirhas achieved. Gaining thiskind of recognition is greatfor the business and will

provide a boost for the140-plus network of fran-chisees which operate theBelvoir brand throughoutthe entire country.

“We always strive to meetthe highest of standards andwinning this award provesthat we are reaching ourgoals.”

Belvoir has weathered therecession and plans to launchanother 20 franchises thisyear.

Mr Goddard said the gen-eral consumer trend was forthe public to use well-estab-lished and respected fran-chised companies whichoffered the security of guar-anteed service levels backedby a large network.

Since its formation in 1994,Belvoir has created one of theUK’s leading franchises andhas won a wide range ofaccreditations and awards,both corporately and forindividual franchisees withinits national network.

■ WINNER: Ruby Wax (left) with Belvoir operations director DorianGonslaves and Annmarie Blomfield, managing director of award sponsor OneProperty Place, after Belvoir won the gold award for best lettings agency in the2010 Lettings Agency of the Year Awards

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COLNE VALE BUSINESS PARK, MILNSBRIDGE, HD3 4NYTo Let Rent On Application

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NEWSOME ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD4 6LRFor Sale £35,000

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DOCTOR LANE, MIFIELD,For Sale OIRO £55,000

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WAKEFIELD ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD5 9ABTo Let £12,500 p/a

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SOUTHGATE, ELLAND,To Let £10,500 p/a

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NEW STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 2AXTo Let £17,500 p/a

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ST JOHNS ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 5AYFrom £2,500 p/a

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property

Retail rents slideamid tough timesGOVERNMENT cuts and a fall inconsumer spending have createdfresh uncertainty for the retail prop-erty market in Yorkshire, said areport.

The Colliers International Mid-summer Retail Report said therewere fewer signs of distress on theUK high street compared with ayear ago. Retail administrations fellby 65% year-on-year in the firstquarter of 2010 – down to 44 from124 in the same period last year.

However, consolidation and costcutting in relation to high streetproperty continued to be a priorityfor many retailers – as cuts in publicspending and increased taxes putmore pressure on consumers.

The report said there had been amodest 1.5% decline in prime retailrents over the past year – a bigimprovement on the 11.5% falllogged a year ago.

Only a quarter of the 420 retailcentres covered in the report showeda fall in prime retail rent betweenJune, 2009, and June, 2010. Thatcompares with 90% in the corres-ponding period last year.

Yorkshire shopping centres saw a1.1% decline in retail rents. But theaverage disguised a mixed picture –with prime retail rents falling inHuddersfield, Keighley and Hullbut rising in Leeds, Scarboroughand York. Meadowhall continued to

command the highest rents in theregion.

The report also logged an increasein the proportion of empty retailunits – from 10.7% to 11.4% now.

Greg Styles, head of retail devel-opment at Colliers International inYorkshire:I believe that we will startto see a marked polarisation in theretail property market as a whole –with an increased demand for ‘qual-ity stock’ in major towns, citycentres and major regional shop-ping centres.

“We have found that retailers arefinding it increasingly difficult tojustify being represented in everytown in the UK.

“This means that larger cities andtowns like Leeds and the biggestshopping malls, like Meadowhall inSheffield which offer ‘experience’and choice for the consumer andhigh volume trading potential, willcontinue to be viable.

“In the smaller and weaker trad-ing locations, high vacancy rates willpersist.”

The report also highlighted therise of internet shopping – withclicks taking over from bricks – as“savvy shoppers” looked to savemoney against high street prices andretailers looked for the mostcost-effective way to sell their goodsand services.

■ SHOP COUNTERS: Colliers International says public sector cuts and taxrises are likely to mean fewer cases of crowds thronging the high street

Fleurets sell pub leaseA HUDDERSFIELD pub has beensold.The leasehold of the BlacksmithsArms at Heaton Moor Road,Kirkheaton, has ben sold to RayParker and Co off a guide price of£40,000.The food-led pub has a 36-coverlounge bar and an 10-cover upperlounge area as well as parking for

30 vehicles. It also has anadjoining field which is licensedas a caravan park, a beer gardenand three-bedroom privateaccommodation.David Broschomb, of Fleurets’northern office, said: “Thisfood-led and popular local pubsituated in a semi-rural locationgenerated a high level of interest.”

Right climate to bidfor funding support

■ PUB TRADE: The Blacksmiths Arms at Kirkheaton

BUILDING projects under way inKirklees could be in line for ashare of a £5m funding pot.

The Technology Strategy Boardis inviting applicants for the cash,which is being made available tohelp adapt new and existingbuildings to combat climatechange.

The Construction SectorNetwork, a new body funded byYorkshire Forward to support theconstruction sector, is stagingfrom a briefing session from8.30am to 12.30pm on Thursdayat the office of DLA Piper inLeeds.

The event will highlight £5m offunding available for sustainableconstruction and energybusinesses throughout the region.

The event, which is aimed atSMEs, will offer businesses thechance to hear about currentcompetitions for funding inlow-impact building innovationand meet potential collaboratorsin putting together funding bids.

Dr Fionnuala Costello, lead

technologist at the TechnologyStrategy Board, will outline allTSB competitions relevant to theconstruction sector and supplychains at the event.

She will also cover thecompetition process and answerquestions regarding particularproject proposals.

She said: “The governmenttargets for all new homes to bezero carbon by 2016 andnon-domestic building by 2019,coupled with growing customerdemand for lower impactbuildings are creating new growthopportunities for innovativebusinesses.”

Karl Redmond, chief executiveof the Construction SectorNetwork, who is also speaking atthe event, said: “Whatever yourrole in the built environment, youcould access funding to put yourideas for low-impact building intopractice.

To book a place at the briefingemail [email protected]

PowerplayersLANDOWNERS in Kirkleesare well-placed to benefitfrom the most profitablerenewable energy sources,according to new research.A study by the energy teamat estate agency CarterJonas, which has offices atSlaithwaite, found that windprovides the best investmentreturn out of four renewableenergy technologiesanalysed. The Energy Indexshows that wind, solar,hydro and anaerobicdigestion projects allproduced a solid financialreturn, but each carried itsown risks.The report found that a330kW wind turbineproduced the highestInternal Rate of Return at18.1%, with a paybackperiod of 5.7 years. That wasclosely followed by a 50kWhydro plant (IRR of 17.8%and 5.3-year payback) and a1MW anaerobic digestionplant (IRR of 16.5% and5.5-year payback).The introduction of the Feedin Tariff (FiT) scheme by theGovernment earlier this yearprovides landowners withfinancial support to developrenewable technologyprojects.This has led to a substantialincrease in renewableenergy interest – with CarterJonas currently working onmore than 50 projectsacross Yorkshire.Charles Hardcastle, head ofenergy in the north forCarter Jonas, said: “Theresults of this reporthighlight that wind energytechnology – on an averagewind speed site – willout-perform other renewabletechnologies.“This is a positive outcomefor Yorkshire as the regionbenefits from significantlyhigher than average windspeeds, making Yorkshire aprime area for wind turbineprojects.“However, as with anyinvestment, landowners andfarmers should seekprofessional advice andcarefully assess all the risksat the outset.”

■ ENERGY WATCH: CharlesHardcastle, Carter Jonas’head of energy for the north

Movers and shakers KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Rob White

Revell WardHUDDERSFIELD accountancyfirm Revell Ward has appointedRob White as an audit assistant.

Mr White (pictured) joins theMarket Street firm havinggraduated with a first classdegree in accountancy andfinance from HuddersfieldUniversity. He willl beundertaking training and examsto become a charteredaccountant during the next three years whilegaining practical experience in the Revell Wardaudit team.

Mr White has already gained experience in thecharity sector, having worked in the financedepartment of several charities over the past fiveyears. He is used to producing financialstatements and preparing charities for audit andis now looking forward to being involved in theaudit of charity and business clients of RevellWard.

Jill Hague

HSBCHSBC Commercial Banking hasappointed Jill Hague as areacommercial director for Wakefield– extending her current patchwhich covers Kirklees andCalderdale.

Ms Hague, who is based inHuddersfield, will now oversee ateam of 35 individuals basedacross the area who providebanking support for SMEs in theregion.

Ms Hague (pictured) is a long-standing HSBCemployee with 30 year’s experience at the bank.During this time, she has held positions includingcommercial manager, credit controller and branchmanager before returning to the commercial teamthree years ago as head of commercial bankingin Huddersfield and Halifax.

Mark Vines, HSBC regional commercialdirector for the north-east and Yorkshire said:“Jill’s wealth of local knowledge and leadershipqualities will allow us to invest even more time intalking to our customers to better understandtheir needs, the issues they face, their ambitionsand most importantly how we can help facilitatetheir growth and expansion plans.

Ms Hague said: “I have been with HSBC formany years now and am extremely pleased tohave been appointed as the area commercialdirector for this extremely important part ofYorkshire.

“The difficult economic environment has meantbusinesses have become leaner and moreinnovative. With confidence across the businesscommunity improving, my team and I are lookingforward to engaging with and helping these localbusinesses to take full advantage of the expectedupturn and thereby maximising the profitableopportunities before them.” Following Elle,

after a fashionWOMENentrepreneurs inKirklees havebeen urged toemulate fashionicon ElleMacpherson(right) by enteringa prestigiousawards.

They have untilthe end of July totake part in theNatwesteverywoman Awards, which were firststaged in 2003 and celebrate women whohave started and run successfulbusinesses despite obstacles andchallenges along the way.

This year, two new awards have beenadded – for a woman running a ruralbusiness and for a woman running anethical business.

Other awards cover areas such asinnovation in IT and communications aswell as an everywoman Ambassador Awardfor an iconic figure.

Previous winners of awards include ElleMacpherson, Colleen Rooney, KarrenBrady and Dame Stella Rimington.

Organisers said this year’s awards wereparticularly special given the economicdownturn during which women-runbusinesses have generally fared better thanthose led by men.

Research commissioned by NatWestshowed that 50% of women claimed theirbusiness had not been hit by the recessionagainst 38% of men.

Enter online at www.everywoman.com/natwesteverywomanawards. Thewinners will be announced at a ceremonyheld on December 1, 2010, at TheDorchester in London.

Suzanne is on song!

KIRKLEES businesswoman SuzanneJohns made sure her team were onsong for a charity event with adifference.

Gomersal woman Suzanne and herfirm Approach PR held the firstMusicalathon at Bradford Playhousein aid of childhood cancer charityCandlelighters.

The Approach team challenged thepublic to watch musical classics in a12-hour marathon and raised just over£700 for the charity. Candlelighters islooking to raise an extra £500,000 infunds this year to help its “Big Move”from St James’s Hospital at Leeds toLeeds General Infirmary.

Films including Mamma Mia and

Hairspray were shown from 8pm whileBradford’s Midland Hotel kept themarathon effort going with baconsandwiches for all participants at5am. There was also a raffle withprizes donated by local businesses.

Suzanne, who is managing directorof Approach PR, said: “All who tookpart really entered into the spirit of theevening and it was so much fun to beable to put on such an unusual eventand raise money for a charity that isso close to the hearts of all of us hereat Approach.

“Most who attended made it to theend – we were quite euphoric, not tomention exhausted - by morning!”

■ MUSIC MAKERS: Candlelighters administrator Pauline Jolley (front) with(from left) Approach PR's Verity Hudson, Charlote Booth, Suzanne Johns,Becky Armstrong and Claire Moulds

It all computesfor the TerriersHUDDERSFIELD Town has addedanother business to its list of partners forthe coming football season.

The club has teamed up with SouthYorkshire- based ICT company cbccom-puters.com – a leading provider of ICTinfrastructure services in the region.

The new deal will see the firm’s brandfeature prominently around the clubthroughout the new campaign.

The partnership is an extension to anexisting arrangement between cbccom-puters.com and the club’s academy. TheSouth Yorkshire firm already provides ICTservices at the Sports Barn, Leeds Roadplaying fields.

Mark Goodwin, managing director, ofcbccomputers.com, said: “We are proud tobe associated with Huddersfield Town – alocal club with strong family and localbusiness values which is so important in thecurrent climate.”

Town commercial director Sean Jarvissaid: “I’m delighted to welcome cbccom-puters.com to the Town family.”

■ DEALMAKERS: Town advertising manager Mark Jacobs (left) and commercialdirector Sean Jarvis (right) with (from left) James Housley, Ben Mitchell and MarkGoodwin ,of cbccomputers.com

Favourable reactionsA CHEMICAL company in Huddersfield has pickedup a prestigious industry award.Syngenta, based at Leeds Road, Deighton, won anExcellence in Engineering Award at the ChemicalIndustry Awards hosted by the ChemicalIndustries Association in Liverpool.The award recognises the contribution ofengineering excellence towards improvingbusiness performance in the chemical industry.Syngenta was recognised for the success ofpartnerships between its own engineeringdepartment and outside contractors, which havesaved hundreds of thousands of pounds over thepast two years, changed culture and workingpractice and developed innovative solutions tolong standing problems.Examples range from working with a scaffoldcompany to working with power plant engineers.

kirklees business news, 6th july 2010

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