KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees8, December, 2009

An EXAMINER publication

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● Full story - Page 12

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STEVE WAINWRIGHT GEORGIE OLDFIELDGuarding your reputation

Pro f i l e - page 3I ta l ian ass ignment

Repor t - Page 4

FTSE 100- 11.705310.66

An EXAMINER publication

Toe theparty lineEMPLOYERS have beenurged to keep thingsunder control at theoffice party – or run therisk of things goingbadly wrong.Neil Wilson, of law firmChadwick Lawrence,said festive frolics thatresult in misconduct,assault or damage toproperty could makefor a costly Christmasfor Kirklees firms.

In goodcompanyA MARKETING firm hasgained CompanyPartner status with theMarket ResearchSociety.The award to AskMarketing, based at theMedia Centre, follows agruelling applicationprocess to meet a strictselection criteria.

Takeover agreedfor home care firmA HOME care services business basedin Huddersfield has been bought by abigger rival.

Family-owned TLC Homecare Ser-vices (Yorkshire), based at Skel-manthorpe, has been acquired for anundisclosed sum by the DomusHealthcare Group in a move toexpand its coverage across the region.

The takeover means Domusincreases its staff numbers from 220 to300, who now provide 5,800 hours ofcare a week for people in their ownhomes across Yorkshire and thenorth-west.

TLC was formed 10 years ago andfor the past six years has been ownedand operated by Val Middleton, one ofthe original founders, supported morerecently by her husband, John.

The couple will retire following thesale, while their daughter-in-law,Michelle Middleton, stays on to man-age the business. She will oversee theday-to-day management of the80-strong team and 1,800 care hoursthe business delivers each week forKirklees Council. TLC will be

rebranded Domus Heal thcare(Kirklees) Ltd in the new year.

The acquisition follows the DomusGroup’s buy-out of Hessle firmAdvanced Care in summer, 2008, andOldham-based Helpful Hands in May.Domus was formed in early 2008.

Managing director Andrea Jettensaid the latest acquisition forms partof the group’s growth strategy – “part-nering like-minded organisationscommitted to delivering the higheststandard of care to help people main-tain independence in their ownhome”.

She said: “Our aim is to deliverexceptional personal and domesticcare in the home and we’re always keento talk to other organisations thatshare our approach and values.

“We’ve been working with the TLCteam for several months now and havebeen very impressed with their busi-ness and approach. John, Valerie andtheir team have built up a very strongbusiness committed to delivering highquality care, which makes it a perfectfit with Domus.”

Recruitment plans ‘flat’ for Yorkshire bossesEMPLOYERS in Yorkshire are in norush to recruit more staff during thefirst quarter of next year, a downbeatsurvey has revealed.

Figures from recruitment servicesfirm Manpower showed that recruit-ment intentions were “flat” – althoughthe number of bosses planning to takeon more staff outnumbered the num-

ber intending to shed jobs. Thatreverses the picture of the previousquarter – and the same quarter lastyear – when hiring intentions werenegative.

Amanda White, operations managerat Manpower, said: “Despite hiringconfidence in the region being flat, it isencouraging to see that it’s no longer in

negative figures. Locally, we’re seeingsome positive signs re-emerge withinthe finance and business services sec-tor, which fits in with the sector’sreturn to solid positive outlook on anational level.

“As a business, we’re also seeingincreased demand for training staff asbusinesses look to increase the skills of

existing staff and as new Governmentinitiatives continue their roll-out.”

She said: “There continues to behealthy competition for jobs in theregion, so those seeking work need toremain open to all opportunities.

“Job seekers should not forget thattemporary roles are a great way tobroaden longer-term career goals,.”

■ NEW FACES: Val and John Middleton (background) with (from left) Domusmanaging director Andrea Jetten: acquisitions director, Teresa Fiorentino; andMichelle Middleton, of TLC Homecare (Yorkshire), who will take over theday-to-day running of Domus Healthcare (Kirklees)

Yorkshire’s Legal Peoplewww.chadwicklawrence.co.uk01484 519 999Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5310.6Down 11.7

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.71 dollarsBangladesh................. 107.22 takaBrazil.............................. 2.55 realsCanada....................... 1.65 dollarsChina ........................... 10.04 yuanCzech Republic ...... 26.10 korunasDenmark....................... 7.83 kroneEuro............................... 1.06 euroHong Kong................ 12.10 dollarsHungary ................... 265.47 forintsIndia.......................... 67.33 rupeesJapan........................... 140.77 yenMexico ....................... 18.50 pesosNew Zealand .............. 2.14 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.92 kronePakistan.................. 130.34 rupeesPhilippines ................. 64.94 pesosSouth Africa.................. 11.50 randSouth Korea.............. 1653.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 177.63 rupeesSweden....................... 10.98 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.59 francsTaiwan ...................... 46.30 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.30 new liraUSA ............................ 1.57 dollars

Carclo 1081/2Chapelthorpe 121/2 -3/4Instore 45/8Marshalls 843/4 -51/4National Grid 645 -3RensburgSheppards

641 -1

Weir Gp 7031/2 -61/2

Shanks attracts interestWASTE management companyShanks said it had received a takeoverapproach worth about £536m.

The “preliminary and unsolicited”interest from an unnamed privateequity group values Shanks at 135p ashare.

Shanks is Europe’s largest listedindependent waste management com-pany, operating in the Netherlands,Belgium, the UK and Canada.

After talking with the group’s twolargest shareholders, the board saidthat a bid of 150p a share – whichwould value the company at about£595m – would “deliver appropriatevalue to shareholders”.

The offer is reported to be fromCarlyle Group. Newspasper reportssuggested the US private equity househas made three approaches in the lastfew months, but Shanks did not previ-ously announce them to the LondonStock Exchange, believing they werenot serious enough.

Carlyle is said to have won thesupport of institutional shareholdersLegal & General and Schroders,which between them own 25% of thecompany.

A successful takeover would makeShanks the UK’s third waste manage-ment group to fall into private equityhands in recent years.

Cadbury preparesto repel Kraft bid

Tesco escalates food price warTESCO has thrown down the gaunt-let to upmarket rivals.

The supermarket giant hasslashed prices on its luxury Finestrange in a bid to win a bigger shareof the market this Christmas.

Tesco is cutting prices on 200 newFinest products each week betweennow and Christmas – as it takes theincreasingly ferocious price war intothe luxury food aisles.

The firm, which has several storesaround Huddersfield, has launcheda series of TV adverts to promote itsFinest offer.

Waitrose and Marks & Spencertraditionally lead the luxury foodmarket on Britain’s high street, but

Tesco’s Finest price cut campaignwill see it compete head on to pre-vent shoppers from defecting.

The promotion comes as super-markets report growing demand forluxury items.

Sainsbury’s said more shopperswere treating themselves food priceinflation has eased sharply in recentmonths.

Waitrose has also been temptingshoppers back who had beendeterred by high prices a year ago.

Market data from retail analystsTNS Worldpanel showed a 12.3%increase in the chain’s till roll tak-ings against a year ago – taking itsmarketi share from 3.7% to 4%.

TrailingbehindCARAVAN and motorhome retailer DiscoverLeisure posted a £16.7mloss, but said the declinein sales was slowing.

Revenues fell from£135.8m to £84.4m inthe year to August 31.

The firm recentlyaverted administration byagreeing a CompanyVoluntary Agreementwith its lenders.

Signs ofstabilityMANUFACTURING firmsin Yorkshire havereported a slightimprovement in theirfortunes.

A survey bymanufacturing industrygroup the EEF andbusiness advisory firmBDO showed that outputand orders for theregion’s manufacturershad stabilised but werestill “disappointinglyweak” during the finalquarter of the year.

Export prospects hadimproved as the weakpound and recoveringworld markets began tohave a positive impact onoverseas sales.

But companies wereparticularly concernedabout a lack of cash flowwhile jobs continued tobe lost, although at aslower pace. Confidenceacross manufacturingremained fragile, thereport added.

The survey said:“There is little to suggestthat we are in foranything other than along, slow haul out ofrecovery.”

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £24.17 +0.26Gannett 656.08 +29.82Hess Corp £35.00 +0.25Microsoft 1818.51 -6.09Motors Liquidation 45.65Wal-Mart Stores £33.30 +0.29

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEBAE Systems 3411/8 +51/8Rolls-Royce Gp 4987/8 -11/8Smiths Grp 991 -31/2VT Group 5521/2 -21/2

AIMBrady Plc 651/2 -11/2Dawson Intl 17/8

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 1113/8 -1

BANKSBarclays 297 -61/2HSBC 7123/4 -103/4Lloyds Banking Gp 533/4 -21/4Ryl Scotland 33 -15/8Stan Chart 14921/2 -201/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1063 +8SABMiller 1837 +7

CHEMICALSCroda 7801/2Delta 1411/2 -1Elementis 98 503/4 -1/4Johnsn Mat 1516 -2

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2581/4 -13/8Costain 261/2 -1/2

ELECTRICITYDrax Grp 4241/8 +61/8

Intl Power 2843/4 -11/4Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1115 -10

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTChloride 170 +7/8Invensys 2913/8 +13/8Laird 1171/2 -21/2

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3131/4 +1/2

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1421/4 -1/8C & W 1431/8 +1/8Colt Telecom 1247/8 -5/8KCOM 441/2 -13/4

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 280 +1/4Sainsbury 3245/8 +3/4Tesco 4355/8 +21/4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 813 +1Cadbury 790 -5Nth Foods 65 -1/4Tate Lyle 4283/8 +1/2Unilever 1864 +4Uniq 281/2

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 2621/2 +11/4National Grid 645 -3Pennon Grp 5181/2 -21/2Severn 1032 -1United Utils 4995/8 +41/4

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2771/2 +7/8ICAP 4325/8 -37/8London StockExch 740 -121/2Man Group 3251/4 -33/8Provident Financial 923 +41/2

Schroders 1177 +5Schroders NV 990 -61/2

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSAvon Rbbr 98Cooksn Grp 4081/2 -183/4REXAM 2881/4 -13/4

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 14DSG International 363/4 -1/4Home Retail 3093/4 -11/8Inchcape 30 +1/8Kingfisher 2371/4 -11/2M & S 4011/8 -11/8Mothercare 652 -5Next £201/2WH Smith 5371/2 +71/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 600 -2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 126 -3Barrat Dev 1191/4 -11/2Persimmon 445 -171/4Reckitt Benckiser £313/4 -1/8Taylor Wimpey 363/8 -1/2

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 7431/2 -51/2I M I 537 +3Man Brnze 111 +21/2

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 1947/8 -53/4

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 160 -15/8Forth Ports 1082 -31

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3791/4 -1/8Lgl & Gen 783/4 +3/8

Old Mutual 1121/2 -5/8Prudential 6391/2 -3Resolution 82Standard Life 2111/8 -2

MEDIABSkyB 549 +51/2Chrysalis 1091/4 +2D Mail Tst 4123/4 +21/4ITV 521/2 +1/2Johnston Press 261/2 -1/2Pearson 854 +8Reed Elsevier 4693/4 +11/4STV Group 541/2 +3/4Trinity Mirror 1501/4 +1/4Utd Business 4525/8 +3/8UTV 1091/2 +4WPP 5881/2 +21/2Yell Group 43 +11/8

MININGAnglo American £261/4 +1/8Antofagasta 9201/2 +20BHP Billiton 19101/2 +20Eurasian NaturalRes

9011/2 -191/2

Fresnillo 8491/2 -151/2Kazakhmys 1279 +6Lonmin 1826 +17Rio Tinto £313/4 +1/2VEDANTARESOURCES

£241/8 +1/8

Xstrata 1072 +6MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 663 +5Vodafone Group 141 -13/8

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1084 +8RSA Insurance Gp 1177/8 -1/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERS

BG 11051/2 +6BP 5875/8 +27/8Cairn Energy £315/8 +1/4Norsk Hdro 4613/4 +11/8Royal Dutch Shell A 18541/2 +1Royal Dutch Shell B 1787 +41/2Total £387/8Tullow Oil 1265 -2

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESPetrofac 9751/2 -61/2Wood Group 3097/8 +2

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry 572 -6PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £281/4 -1/4Axis-Shield 407 +21/2GlaxoSmithK XD 8Shire 1190 -6

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 457 +11/8DTZ Hldgs 713/4 +11/2Hamrsn 406 -17/8Land Secs 6781/2 -61/2SEGRO 335 -11/2

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1456 +6Dimension Data 751/2 +1/2Logica 1163/4 -21/8Misys 2135/8 +11/8Sage Group 2325/8 +13/4

SUPPORT SERVICESAMEC 7971/2 -121/2Bunzl 6511/2 +111/2Capita 732 +31/2Davis ServiceGroup

4141/4 +43/8

De La Rue 9931/2 -51/2Electrocomp 1691/2 +11/2Experian 599 -3G4S 2513/4 +3/8Hays 99 -11/2Homeserve 1621 -10Menzies J 325 -43/4Rentokil 101 -3/4Smiths News 1111/4 -31/4Wolseley 1249 -1

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 1631/4 -7/8Psion 831/2 -1Spirent Comms 931/4 -41/4

TOBACCOBr Am Tob 1928 -10Imperial Tobacco 1890 +6

LEISURE & HOTELSArriva 473 -91/2Brit Airways 2073/8 -45/8

Carnival £21Compass Grp 4413/8 +31/8easyJet 3823/4 -71/4Enterprise Inns 1021/2 +11/2FirstGroup 4081/8 -23/8Go-Ahead 1266 -11Greene King 4293/4 -1/4Intercontl Htls 8691/2 -1Ladbrokes 1343/4 -11/2Mitchells & Butlers 268 +31/4Natl Express 1811/4 -35/8PartyGaming 2517/8 -47/8Rank Org 79 -13/8Stagecoach Group 151 -33/8TUI Travel 2501/2 +33/4Whitbread 1314 +8

INDEXFTSE 100 5310.66 -11.70

INDEXFTSE 250 9173.25 -22.70

DAIRY Milk maker Cadbury willlaunch its defence against Kraft’s hos-tile takeover bid on December 14, theconfectionery giant has announced.

The posting of its circular to morethan 50,000 shareholders follows thepublication of Kraft’s offer documentlast Friday.

The bid from Kraft – the companybehind brands including Toblerone,Dairylea and Kenco coffee – valuesCadbury at about 713p a share, equi-valent to £10.1bn.

Cadbury’s shares closed down 5p –or nearly 1% – at 790p yesterday.

The first deadline for shareholderacceptances has been set at January 5 –with the whole process subject to a60-day timetable under Takeover Panelrules.

Roger Carr, chairman of Cadbury,

has dismissed Kraft's initial bid as“derisory” and not even “remotelyclose” to the true value of the firm.

Meanwhile, speculation is mountingthat US company Hershey is in talkswith Swiss food group Nestle aboutmounting a joint bid for Cadbury.

City analysts have suggested Nestlecould be interested in buying Cad-bury’s gum business, but it may faceanti-trust issues.

Hershey and Ferrero have alreadyannounced they are considering their

options for Cadbury, but have yet tomake a move.

In November, it was reported thatHershey had lined up more than £4bnin financing to launch a bid.

The company has loans from JPMorgan and Bank of America to funda £10.3bn offer for Cadbury and sparka full-blown bid battle, reports said.

Italian group Ferrero, which ownsFerrero Rocher, Kinder and Nutella,has also been named as a possiblebuyer of some Cadbury brands.

Newspaper reports suggest that Cad-bury will emphasise the value of itsbrands and its strong potential in emer-ging markets in its defence document.Markets such as Asia are key to Cad-bury’s long-term growth and are one ofthe company’s attractions for Kraft.

Cadbury’s sales growth in westernEurope was weak in the four weeks toNovember 8, with sales up 0.1%,according to Bernstein Research.

The chocolate firm will post a trad-ing update with the document nextMonday.

Cadbury began life as a grocer’s shopin Birmingham’s fashionable BullStreet in 1824.

Dairy Milk is the UK’s top-sellingchocolate bar.More than 250m bars arealso sold every year in 33 countries.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

SteveWainwright

Profiled. com

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Chief executiveAge: 46Family: Married withfour childrenHolidays: Turkey andMajorcaCar: Volvo XC90First job: Shovelling ina builders’ yardBest thing about job:Creating something fromscratchWorst thing aboutjob: Not having thepeople around you to dothings more quicklyBusiness tip: Manageyour cash flow with apassion

Work: Reputation man-agement site for busi-ness peopleEmploys: SixSites: Holmfirth andLeedsPhone: 0845 2997910Email: info@profiled.com

■ REPUTATION: SteveWainwright, of Profiled.com is“making order out of chaos”

Timefor theidentityparade!

A SIMPLE question setSteve Wainwright on thepath to launching his latestbusiness.

Steve had risen frommodest beginnings as atrainee accountant atRevell Ward inHuddersfield to becomechief executive of themulti-million poundturnover Birstall-basedICM Computer Group.

But when ICM was soldto its biggest competitor –despite a well-engineeredmanagement buy-out bidled by Steve – the formerHuddersfield Polytechnicstudent was left “on ayear’s gardening leave”and was seeking newchallenges with otherfirms.

He recalls: “I gotinvolved with a couple ofbusinesses and thechairmen and chiefexecutives would ask:‘What would come up if Iput your name intoGoogle?’ That was a goodquestion, because I didn’thave a clue.

“I ‘Googled’ myself and Iwas astonished by what Isaw. Most of thereferences to SteveWainwright were nothing todo with me.

“It highlighted to me thatthe internet is a prettyblunt instrument when itcomes to seeking reliableinformation aboutsomeone. It is essentially acollection of pressclippings.”

Steve put his mind tohow people in business –with reputations to protect– could take more controlof their online identity.

“The alternative is to getyour own website, but itcosts quite a lot of timeand money to keep itupdated,” he says. “Therewas nothing else out there– unless I wanted to joinnetworking organisation –that would allow me to tellmy story in my ownwords.”

That prompted Steve tolaunch Profiled.com – awebsite helping seniorpeople in business tocounter any inaccuratepersonal information aboutthem that may appear onthe web.

His avowed aim is tomake the website “thedefinitive online resourcefor factually correctinformation about the UK’smost senior and highprofile executives”.

Business leaders canpresent their professionalCVs and achievements.The website also features

a “contextual searchengine” which searches theweb for articles aboutmembers and notifies themof the results. That allowsthem to monitor and –where necessary – correctwhat’s being said aboutthem as it happens.

“I found a lot of people Iknow were having similarproblems,” says Steve,“One of my contacts inmarketing shares her namewith a blues singer. Peoplewere often asking how herrecord sales were doing!

“More seriously, imagineyou are an accountant whoshares a name with aconvicted fraudster. Thereis a huge danger that thetwo individuals will getmixed up.”

Says Steve: “I seeProfiled.com as essentiallymaking order out of chaos.We all use the internet tofind information on newbusiness contacts – but alot of the information we getback via the popular searchengines is either aboutsomeone else entirely or iswholly inaccurate.

“I wanted a place where Icould take positive controlof the information about meon the internet and ourmarket research showedthat other seniorbusinesspeople felt thesame.”

Steve said individualsjoining Pofiled.com areencouraged to be honestabout themselves andinclude “negative”

information. “If peoplemisrepresent themselvesthey do their reputationsand their occupations nogood,” he says. “We makesure people are who theysay they are and verifymembers’ identitiesbecause we want this to bethe definitive site.”

The site is attractingmembers from the businesscommunity and academics.

“While it is in the earlystages, the new site istaking up a lot of my time,”says Steve.

“I have a team oftechnical people andmathematicians to help me.I class myself as a ‘user’rather than an expert. Whilemy background means I

can speak to thetechnical staff, I seethings from theviewpoint of the user.

“My ambition for thesite is to make it thedestination for businesspeople to visit forinformation about otherbusiness people. It is asite with globalambitions. Once westart to get ‘criticalmass’ it will appeal tomore and more people.”

Steve Wainwright,who lives at Holmfirth,studied accountancy atthe former HuddersfieldPolytechnic beforetraining with RevellWard and then workingas an accountant withDeloitte.

He moved to ICM in1991 as finance directorand was later appointedfinance and commercialdirector.

He led the group’ssuccessful flotation onthe main market of theLondon Stock Exchangein 1998 and wasappointed chiefexecutive in 2005.

He played a pivotalrole in growing ICM froma £5m turnovercompany to one withannual sales of £80m.

His involvement withICM ended following thesale of the business.

Although building upprofiled.com takes upmost of his attention,Steve still has time to

devote to his four children– and keeping fit bymountain biking.

“I need to get someoxygen into my lungs afterdays in the office,” hesays.

“Living in the HolmeValley with its countrytracks and hills is idealterritory for mountainbiking.”

Commercial Bankinghsbc.com/commercial

Your business successis out there. Is your bank?Call Jill Hague on 08455 848702Email jillhague@hsbc.comCome in to Calderdale andKirklees Commercial Centre

Issued by HSBC Bank plc ACXXXXX

local Page 4

Investmentfirm upbeat asearnings slipINVESTMENT management group RensburgSheppards stressed its determination to boostthe business as it announced a fall in half-yearprofits.The Leeds-based company posted pre-tax profitsof £12.5m for the six months to September 30against earnings of £16.4m for the same periodlast year.However, group funds under management roseto £12.13bn from £10.01bn last time.Shareholders will get an unchanged interimdividend of 8.5p a share.Rensburg Sheppards also announced theappointment of three executive directors fromDecember 1, 2009, including Simon Kaye,divisional investment director heading the Leedsoffice.The company has a network of 11 regionaloffices across the UK.Chief executive Steve Elliott said: “I believe theseresults reflect Rensburg Sheppards’ ability towithstand difficult market conditions and to takeadvantage of opportunities to take the businessforward.“We remain focused on maintaining our strongclient relationships and on maximising netorganic growth in funds under management.”

New products providebig boost for Birkby’sA COMPANY supplying parts for thebiggest names in car making is confidentof weathering the recession – despite theimpact of the consumer slowdown on itscustomer base.

Liversedge-based Birkby’s Plasticsmakes injection-moulded plastic trimcomponents for customers includingHonda, Toyota, Nissan and Jaguar LandRover.

When the economy went into decline carmanufacturers were hit particularly hard –creating a knock-on effect for Birkby’s.

Following a management buy-out inJanuary, 2008, Birkby’s sought additionalstability by developing another branch toits business.

The company won a five-year produc-tion contract with firm that specialises inturning recycled polymer products intosidings that carry track-side cables for therailway industry.

Late last year, the product was grantedapproval by a national rail network pro-vider after a 12-month field trial.

This led to the development of a secondproduct that provides the same service, butalso incorporates a safe walkway for rail-way workers.

Both products required equipment bey-ond Birkby’s existing capability – meaningnew investment was needed at the height ofthe banking crisis.

Birkby’s Plastics approached regionaldevelopment agency Yorkshire Forward toseek funding towards the purchase of anew press and associated robotics to securethis supply contract, create new jobs andgrow the business.

Yorkshire Forward contributed morethan £400,000 towards the purchase of anew press and associated costs.

The new Presma press cell – enablingBirkby’s to manufacture round the clock ata rate of more than 10 units per hour – wascommissioned in September and is nowfully operational.

Birkby’s chief executive Ian Parker said:“Over the course of the recession, carmanufacturers and their suppliers wereamong the hardest hit, so it was vital for

Birkby’s that we developed a business legoutside the automotive sector to ensureour future.

“We have been collaborating for over 12months to bring these two excitingproducts into production and YorkshireForward’s grant award enabled us to makethe investments we needed when all otherfinance options were essentially closed.

“The confidence Yorkshire Forward hasshown in our strategy and plans enabled tous secure the rest of the funding for theproject. The additional revenue streamgenerated by the new press has alsoallowed the company to keep its coreprojects, design and technical teamintact.”

Yorkshire Forward chairman TerryHodgkinson said: “It is vital that wesupport the manufacturing industrybecause we know that a strong manufac-turing sector is the foundation of a soundeconomy.

“For a company like Birkby’s to buckthe trend by taking on a new and success-ful project like this demonstrates to busi-nesses how important diversity andinnovation is in riding out the down-turn.”

Georgie now hasa European roleA PHYSIOTHERAPIST based inHuddersfield has been running acourse for employees of theEuropean Commission in Italy.

Chartered physiotherapist Geor-gie Oldfield, who is the only medicalprofessional specialising in tensionmyoneural syndrome in the UK andEurope, was invited by the Institutefor the Protection and Security ofthe Citizen at the joint researchcentre in Ispra, near Lake Mag-giore, Italy, to provide the course foremployees who were suffering fromstress-related pain and ill health.

Georgie is an experienced physio-therapist who runs the Pain ReliefCentre at Longley.

Some years ago, she began toquestion why accepted treatmentapproaches for chronic pain onlyseem to – at best – manage thecondition and why many of herpatients recovered, despite still hav-ing the physical problem they hadbeen diagnosed with, such as RSI,arthritis and slipped discs.

Her research led to her special-ising in tension myoneural syn-d ro m e a n d h e r wo rk w i t hindividuals and groups with the aimof preventing and eradicatinglong-term.

Georgie’s work has resulted in herlinking up with other specialists in

the USA – and running the two-daycourse in Italy.

The high priority given to meth-ods that help reduce stress in theworkplace – and the effectiveness ofGeorgie’s TMS recovery pro-gramme – mean proposals are nowbeing put forward for the course tobe made available to employeesthroughout the European Commis-

sion.Georgie said: “This has been an

exciting few months for TMSRecovery in the UK and Europe –with more and more people on theprogramme succeeding in com-pletely resolving their long-termpain after failing to find an answerusing conventional and alternativeapproaches.

“Many people don't realise thediversity of our profession and thatphysiotherapy is not all purelyhands on treatments.

“The overall philosophy ofphysiotherapy is to help peopleregain movement and function andthere is no doubt that this is what weare doing with the TMS recoveryprogramme.”

■ BACK HOME: Huddersfield chartered physiotherapist Georgie Oldfield (right) has just returned fromproviding a course for employees of the European Commission at Ispra, near Lake Maggiore, Italy (above)

Return totrust statusYORKSHIRE companies are regain-ing confidence in their bank managers,says a survey.

Research by Close Invoice Finance,showed that bosses of small andmedium-sized firms in the region saidtrust levels had risen during the courseof 2009.

Its Small Business Finance Baro-meter found that 41% of SMEs con-sider their bank manager as the mosttrusted person to go to for businessadvice, That compares with just 14%in 2009 as the recession and the creditcrunch eroded confidence in the bank-ing system.

However, accountants remain thefirst choice for SMEs – with 46% ofrespondents believing they providebest advice in the current climate.Fellow business owners and mutualsupport networks also play an increas-ingly important role in guiding busi-ness owners through the recession, thesurvey suggests.

Just one in four businesses employ-ing up to 50 people looked for guid-ance from the banks in comparison tomore than 42% of SMEs employing101 to 250 employees.. Smaller SMEswere also more likely than larger busi-ness organisations to turn to fellowbusiness owners.

David Thomson, chief executive ofClose Invoice Finance, said: “As SMEsacross Yorkshire continue to feel theeffects of the recession, obtaining solidadvice is critical.

“Our research reveals some interest-ing positive changes as bank managersstrive to rebuild business confidenceand now it seems that business ownersare turning in increasing numbers totheir bank manager for counsel.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Innovative firm aworthy winner

A FAMILY-RUN building firmraising the standard of the roofingindustry has won an award.

Brighouse-based PloughcroftLtd, formed in 1997, was recognisedfor its achievements by being namedBusiness of the Month in the awardsrun by Huddersfield law firm EatonSmith and the Lockwood-basedMid Yorkshire Chamber of Com-merce.

Ploughcroft Ltd has been provid-ing roofing and building contractservices to a wide range of clients formany years.

But in the face of the recession,the company has shown the determ-ination and inspiration not to bebeaten – and by being innovative hasmanaged to keep most of its staff,improve and increase the services itoffers and provide a lifeline toredundant construction workers.

The company has enhanced itstraining and development centre,which now offers a service to otherconstruction companies and localpeople affected by the recession.

Ploughcroft has also set up anenvironmental division to focus onsolar and green roofing as well as afranchise called Rooferman, whichhas given redundant building work-ers the opportunity to acquire aready-made roofing business.

Director Chris Hopkins, acceptedthe award on behalf of the firm.

■ WINNERS: Malcolm Tracey (centre), of Eaton Smith, presents the award to Chris Hopkins (third left), HelenHopkins (second left) and Neil Holdsworth (left), of Ploughcroft, with (from left) Kathryn Shuttleworth, of the MidYorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Jonathan Kidd, of Holroyds Property; and Paul Dickinson, of BrantwoodFinancial Planning

Perfect fit for storeA MENSWEAR store in Hudders-field has re-opened following a£200,000 revamp by its new owners.

Greenwoods at King Street wasopened by Kirklees Council cabinetmember Clr Ken Smith after afour-week refit to install new ceilings,lighting, fixtures and fittings.

The store has been re-brandedunder the name of new owner Bosid-eng, but retains the Greenwoods nameon its display windows. It now sellsBosideng-branded casualwear along-side the existing Greenwood labeljackets, suits and ties and the 1860formal wear hire business.

Parent company Bosideng, based inChina, is a long-standing supplier ofGreenwoods. It is one of the largestclothing producers in the Far East andalready has more than 4,000 shops inChina, including 800 menswear out-lets.

Neil Roberts, who is joint managingdirector alongside Paul Smith, said:“Bosideng has aspirations to interna-tional expansion. The company hasinvested heavily in the UK and hascommitted to opening and refitting anumber of stores in the next fiveyears.

“The Huddersfield store is the thirdBosideng branded store in the UK –with the others in Bury St Edmundsand Lincoln – but Bosideng regardsthis as the flagship store.

“Huddersfield has a forward-look-

ing council which wants to keep avibrant retail town centre. The store isin a superb location, so Bosidengdecided to invest heavily here.”

He added: “Bosideng brings abroader offer to our casual range, butthey are leaving us to run the businessand advise them accordingly.”

Store manager Andrew Varleyadded: “This is a very exciting oppor-tunity for me to run such as well setout, modern store. The products arewell-tailored to suit the local customerand I am encouraged by the level ofinterest so far.”

■ WELL-SUITED: Store manager Andrew Varley (left) toasts the opening ofthe new outlet with joint managing directors Paul Smith (second left) and NeilRoberts (right) and commercial manager Phil WIlliams

Gary’s quickon the drawBOSSES at a Huddersfieldcompany spread some seasonalcheer with a competition for onelucky customer to win a newiPod Nano.Printing.com staged a free drawfor customers during October –and the winner was GCHQ HairSalon in Brockholes. Gary Cook,of GCHQ (left), was presentedwith his prize by Steve Green(right), director of printing.com.Said Gary: “We use printing.comto order many productsthroughout the year such asflyers and appointment cards.Winning the iPod was anunexpected surprise.”Printing.com is an internationalcompany offering a broadproduct range includingbusiness cards, letterheads,leaflets, booklets, postcards,promotional cards andinvitations to small to mediumsized businesses.

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 6

BANKER’SBLOGJill Hague

Jill Hague is HSBC area commercialdirector for Calderdale and Kirklees

Award for meritTHE head of a care centrein Holmfirth has won aq u a r t e r l y a w a r d f o remployees.

Vicki Hayley, who worksat the White Rose HouseCare Centre, scooped theEmployee Merit Award.

T h e s c h e m e r u n sthroughout Mer id ianHeal thcare’s 27 carecentres and provides col-leagues, residents, theirfamilies and visitors withthe chance to nominatemembers of staff in recog-nition of outstanding ser-vice and performance.

Each quarter the nomin-ations from all the homesare counted and prizes areawarded to the individualand the care centre teamwith the most nomina-tions.

Vicki received a £100 giftvoucher and a certificateto acknowledge her excel-lent work.

She said: “White Rose isa nice place to work.

“There is a great teamhere and a good managerwho really motivates thestaff.”

Digital upgradefor YorkshireA NEW projectto boostcollaborationand innovationfor theregion’s digitaland creativeindustries hasbeen unveiledby YorkshireForward.The NorthernWay, whichbringstogetherregionaldevelopmentagencies covering Yorkshire, thenorth-east and the north-west, hasinvested £9.4m in the NorthernNetproject.The project links premises acrossthe north via a high-speedtelecommunication network – forthe first time providing the northwith a single high-speed, secure,digital network that connects theregion’s creative and digital sectorand customers.NorthernNet members will enablebusinesses in the sector to shareinformation and work togetherquickly and efficiently.The network allows enormous filesto be sent between premises atincredible speeds and it isavailable to businesses as a directconnection and as pay-as-you-govia NorthernNet Media AccessBureaus based across the north.A further £3.4m of Northern Wayfunding has been secured for theNorthernNet Innovation andCollaboration Programme, whichaims to encourage and develop arobust, competitive supply chainto elevate the north to be a leadingforce in the European mediaindustry.The project is managed andcoordinated by Northwest Vision &Media in Manchester working withdelivery partners including ScreenYorkshire.Rosie Winterton, regional ministerfor Yorkshire and Humber, said:“This innovative project will helpput businesses across the north ofEngland at the forefront of thedigital revolution.Technologies ofthe future will be key to thesuccess of our regionaleconomies.”

■ CARING: Award winner Vicki Hayley with White RoseHouse Care Centre manager Christine Evans

■ PRAISE: MPRosie Winterton

Systems upgradepays off for firmA HEALTH and safety consultancybased in Huddersfield has upgradedits data management system.

Bradley-based Safety Manage-ment & Monitoring Services haslaunched the third generation of itsinnovative PropertyPlus system.

PropertyPlus is a health and safetycompliance data management sys-tem developed in consultation withsome of the UK’s largest propertycompanies over the past 10 years torevolutionise the way compliancereports and actions are managed.

The new third generation versionof the firm’s online system has beenenhanced with new features for stra-tegic management reporting as wellas a new “dashboard” to make the

software easier to navigate.The upgraded system can now

manage thousands of actions gener-ated from health and safety, firesafety and water risk assessmentsand quickly allocate those actions tothe relevant person at a touch of abutton.

The actions identified from therisk assessments can then be “closed”and signed off with progress notesadded – or even allocated to anapproved contractor – through aunique link to SM&MS’s Contract-orPlus online contractor manage-ment system.

Susan Morris, director of healthand safety services at SM&MS, said:“We are continually striving to

improve the services and products weoffer our clients, which has resultedin us developing new, improved fea-tures to our popular PropertyPlussystem.

“This makes it even quicker tomanage actions arising from the vari-ous risk assessments and in turnreduces a company’s exposure toprosecution and civil claims bydemonstrating due diligence andproviding an audit trail of health andsafety management.”

SM&MS, based at Bradley Busi-ness Park, was founded in 1994 andprovides health and safety services tohelp firms meet legislative demandsand achieve best health and safetypractice.

Recovery plan

THE past two years have offered agreat many challenges for busi-

nesses of all sizes, but for many thebiggest battle – and greatest oppor-tunities – could be yet to come.

Ensuring that you are able to thrive in arecovery is as important as surviving in adownturn. The plans and the processesadopted in the past need to be re-evalu-ated, reworked and rethought if busi-nesses in the UK are to make the most ofthe “better” times. As history tells us morebusinesses will fail in recovery than theydo in a downturn. This will be the truetest.

Nearly one in four businesses in the UKchooses HSBC. We therefore have anobligation to help our customers under-stand the present and prepare them for thefuture. Companies are set to come out ofthe recession leaner and fitter afterrestricting cash flow, reducing costs, draw-ing on their own resources and restructur-ing.

We have undertaken a business recoveryreport in conjunction with Rebecca Hard-ing, of Delta Economics, to get an evenbetter understanding of the kind of busi-nesses sectors and industries that arebeginning to display signs of recovery. Theresearch questioned 2,100 small busi-nesses and 30 business and economicexperts. The report warns that if firmscontinue to tighten their grasp of thepurse strings at the expense of investmentthey could hamper their recovery and missout on the opportunities to grow andprosper.

Some findings from the report are:● 21% of SME expect to be employing

more people in the next 12 months● 85% said that they still expect to be in

business in 12 months time● Only 15% of companies are looking

for finance at the moment● Of the companies looking for finance

80% are looking for growth financeOther things the report suggests that

businesses consider are:● Make sure your business model is

correct for the market you operate in – iffinance is needed then for a viable businessit is available – approach your bank earlywith a well thought through businessplan

● Take advantage of new markets onthe back of sound business planning andadvice

● Take a long term view and work inpartnership with your advisors who willprovide you with access to networks andsupport services

● Face troubles “head on” and speakregularly to your bank rather than lettingchallenges fester

In summary we are asking businesses totake a longer term approach, acting nowto secure external funding to weather therecovery.

For further information on the Businessof Recovery Report please vis i twww.hsbc.co.uk/business

■ SYSTEM: Susan Morris, directorof health and safety services atBradley-based SM&MS

Town talkMORE than 100 delegatesattended the Yorkshire BusinessForum at the Galpharm Stadium.The event, sponsored by law firmChadwick Lawrence, was heldbefore Town’s League One gameagainst Tranmere Rovers.Town commercial director SeanJarvis introduced speakers NeilWilson, of Chadwick Lawrence;Town first team squad membersRobbie Simpson and Tom Clarke;and Barrie McDermott, Sky TVpundit and head of the LeedsRhinos Academy.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 7

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

EMPLOYER’SBRIEFNeil Wilson

Millers Oilsoutpacesracing rivalsA BRIGHOUSE firm supplying lubricantsand fuel additives has beaten offcompetition from some of the biggestnames in motor sport to win a nationalaward.

Millers Oils overtook rivals at McLarenand Williams to scoop the trophy for mostinnovative new product in the 2009 WorldMotorsport Symposium.

The awards are held each year tocelebrate the most innovative designers,engineers and technological advancesthat shape the motor sport world.

Millers Oils triumphed with its NanoTechnology range, which was chosen byjudged ahead of components and systemsfrom motor sport specialists such asWilliams, McLaren, Car Tech and Oxeon,for its ability to radically improve theperformance of transmission oil.

The range was launched by Millers inJanuary, 2009, and has been used during2009 by several teams in the BritishTouring Car Championship as well asmany successful rally drivers such asBritish junior champion Martin McCormackand Scottish rally champion David Bogie.

In extreme racing conditions, thelubricant range pioneered by Millers Oilshas shown in testing to considerablyimprove performance over oils that utilise

more ‘conventional’ solid lubricants.Reductions in friction of up 25% havebeen recorded in oils using NanoTechnology.

The science behind the innovation isbased on the chemical behaviour ofextremely minute particles.

Millers Oils is one of the first oil andlubricants companies to successfullyexplore the use of this new family ofadditives – known as Inorganic Fullerines– which are made up of structures thesize of 100 nanometers or less.

This technology reinforces the oilmolecules, which has the key advantageof reducing friction, heat and wear intransmission components.

Nevil Hall, joint managing director atMillers Oils, said: “This is a fantasticaward for the Millers Oils team and isthoroughly deserved for our reallyexcellent and passionate technical team.

“A lot of thought went into the designand development of the Nano Technologyrange and we were delighted with thefeedback from so many high profile racingteams once they began using the oil.

“For Millers Oils to be held in such highregard alongside other winners on thenight such as the Brawn F1 team andPeugeot Sport is a huge compliment andreal recognition for our products, and ourapproach to developing some of the mostrespected products currently used inmotorsport.”

Lisa and Jimget in the swimA BUSINESSWOMAN who grew up inHuddersfield is in the swim after winning anational award for innovation.

Lisa Irlam, chief executive of electronictraining products firms Swimovate Ltd, wasnamed Enterprising Women Innovator of theYear 2009.

Lisa, who grew up in Lepton and Shelleyand attended King James’s School atAlmondbury, launched Swimovate Ltd withher husband Jim two years ago.

The award recognised Lisa’s success indeveloping the Pool-Mate – a wrist watch forswimmers of all abilities that automaticallycounts a swimmer’s laps and strokes.

The watch includes motion detection tech-nology so swimmers don’t need to do any-thing more than just press the “start” buttonand swim.

The new device is being snapped up byswimmers and triathletes all over the world.

Said Lisa: “We have been amazed by theinterest so far and have shipped thousands ofPool-Mates to over 40 countries around theworld already in just the first two months ofsales.

“We have already signed up distributors inmany countries including France, Spain andGermany and are in some huge shops in theUSA. Swimmers really seem to have beenwaiting for this, which is incredible.”

Lisa and Jim have spent the past two yearsdeveloping the watch and testing it every

week with their local triathlon club.Having experience developing consumer

electronics, they wanted to set up in a busi-ness that tied-in with their hobbies of swim-

ming and triathlon – and saw a gap in themarket for electronics training aids for swim-mers.

With their past experience in electronicdesign and manufacture they knew they hadthe potential and decided to invest theirsavings and give it a go.

Lisa was delighted to win the EnterprisingWomen award – and is now encouragingpeople to give themselves a chance of suc-cess.

She said: “Believe in yourself. There are noright or wrong ways in business, but you needto have confidence from the outset.”

As well as counting laps and strokes, thePool-Mate gives the swimmer details of theirspeed, distance, calories and swimming effi-ciency to make it a very sophisticated train-ing tool.

It works with all the major swim strokesand is suitable for everyone – from seriousathletes to Sunday lap swimmers.

Swimovate Ltd is a UK company run byswimmers and triathletes developing innov-ative, affordable electronic training productsfor sports.

They are dedicated to finding workablesolutions to training issues athletes of allabilities.

The Swimovate team have extensive exper-ience in electronic and software design,development and manufacture worldwide.

Perils of the office ‘do’CHRISTMAS is almost upon us – and

this means the “works Christmasdo” will probably be taking place inyour company.

For many employers this is a time to fear –misconduct ranging from general bantergone wrong to allegations of serious sexualassault and rape have been experienced in thepast, so it is important that the employertakes a firm line and prepares fully in advanceof these events.

With employees in high spirits at suchevents, it is not uncommon for there to beallegations of banter taking place which hasbeen misconstrued, arguments or indeedphysical violence and fighting. This is arather common occurrence on which we areoften asked to advise.

This year, there is an added risk as a resultof the rise of social networking websites.

The latest warning is for businesses to beaware of the risks of allowing employees totake photographs at these events.

A “merry” employee with a mobile phonemay now, in many cases, quickly upload aphotograph they have taken onto the inter-net, for potentially millions of people to see.

Often, if an employee has consumed alco-hol, their judgement will be somewhatimpaired and they will not think about theconsequences of putting the photos in thepublic domain.

This can have serious consequences on a

number of fronts, depending on the nature ofthe images that are taken.

Fellow employees may well object to them,which could lead to allegations of a breach ofprivacy or even defamation. Much ill-feelingwithin the business generally may also be oneramification of such actions.

Employers therefore need to take carewhen providing festive celebrations for theirstaff and think particularly carefully aboutfree bar facilities, which are often the triggerfor many of the problems.

All manner of other issues can result fromthe Christmas party celebrations.

Often at such events, equal opportunitiespolicies are breached or things go on whichlead to the breach of those types of policiesand harassment of staff in the future.

Here are a few rules that should be fol-lowed to hopefully prevent such misbeha-viour:

● Prepare a policy on the intranet or noticeboards to make employees aware of thestandards of behaviour expected of them andthe fact that disciplinary action may be takenif the rules are breached

● Consider providing alternative transportfor attendees, especially for those who areintending on making the most of the barfacility!

● Consider whether you will be providinga free bar. If employees have to pay, they maywell limit the amount they consume

● Consider the age of your employees – donot allow the 16-year-old trainee to kick backtequila slammers all night

● Consider the menu that you will offer –religious beliefs impact on the choice ofdrinks available

● If you are holding a party in the office,DO NOT make the photocopier accessible!

■ WELL-TIMED: Lisa Irlam, chiefexecutive of Swimovate Ltd, was among thewinners of Enterprising Women Innovator ofthe Year 2009

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 8

Builders’ networkA NEW network has beenlaunched to aid constructioncompanies in Yorkshire.

Regional developmentagency Yorkshire Forwardhas commissioned LeedsMetropolitan University toset up and operate the newConstruction Sector Networkfor Yorkshire and Humber.

The network aims toimprove the overall perform-ance of firms in the sector.

Yorkshire Forward said ithad consulted small andmedium-sized companies,major contractors and clientsto ensure the CSN addressesthe needs of the industry.

The CSN will be directed bya business-led managementb o a r d c o m p r i s i n g ke yindustry representatives fromacross the region and man-aged by a small deliveryteam.

It will act as a single voicefor the sector to lobby policymakers and work with sup-

port agencies.The umbrella organisation

will point building sectorfirms to sources of funding,regional market intelligenceand emerging constructiontechniques and technologies

as wel l as providing a“one-stop shop” for informa-tion and advice on key sectorissues .

Yorkshire Forward chair-man Terry Hodgkinson, whohas firsthand experience ofthe sector, said: “The CSNwill be an industry led stra-tegic organisation that willglue together all the fragmen-ted strands of the construc-tion industry in our regionand provide focus, leadershipand direction.

“This initiative will offer allaspects of the constructionsector an opportunity to worktogether on key sector issuesover the next three years andbeyond.

The CSN will be officiallylaunched in the New Year, butenquiries can be directed tointerim project manager JeffHobday on 0113 8129106 or0 7 7 8 2 1 6 9 9 8 0 . E m a i lJ.M.Hobday@leedsmet.ac.uk

■ FOCUS: YorkshireForward chairman TerryHodgkinson

RICS aims tolift standardsA NEW route to becoming a chartered surveyor willhelp improve the standards and reputation ofpeople and companies working in the residentialproperty market, it is claimed.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyorssaid the new entry level qualification, AssocRICS,was aimed at non-graduates who can use it to startclimbing the ladder towards full qualificationthrough further experience and academic study.

Jennifer Welch, operations director for the RICSin Yorkshire, said: “The RICS has been advising theGovernment for many years that the estate agencyindustry needs to be appropriately regulated withlicensed agents.

“The new associate qualification fits in with thisperfectly and will help to raise standards in theresidential sector.

“While there are many negative urban mythsabout home sales, the facts show that 95% of thepublic use estate agents and with this new compet-ence-based qualification the standards and reputa-tion of the industry can only improve.

“Buying and selling property often represents themost important financial transactions that con-sumers undertake.

“As a result, consumers want to deal with profes-sionals who will act professionally and ethically.”

Said Ms Welch: “The RICS is committed toproviding continual support to agencies in this vitalpart of the UK economy that impinges so signific-antly on all of our lives.

“This new entry level qualification will ensure abetter industry for us all.”

Banks keep faith with property sectorLENDING by banks to thecommercial property sectorfell for the first time onrecord this year, a surveyhas revealed.A study by De MontfortUniversity showed thatlending to the sectortotalled £224.1bn inmid-2009 – some 0.6%

down on the £225.5bn totalfor the end of 2008.However, loans in breach offinancial agreementsdoubled in the first half of2009 to about £30bn – with£18.6bn reported in breachof covenants and £11.8bnin default.The report said banks had

retained their faith inproperty. Fears of large firesales of assets as bankscalled in their loans havenot been realised, despiteplunging property values.The study added that theoccupier market was stillexpected to strugglethrough 2010.

New contractsfor architectsARCHITECTURE practice Above & Bey-ond has reported a “definite upturn” inbusiness.

The company, based at Folly Hall Millsin Huddersfield, said it had enjoyed its bestweek ever in terms of new business wins.

The firm has secured five contracts andhas noticed a move towards long-termpartnerships as businesses look to securetheir future after a difficult 18 months forthe industry.

The initial contracts won by Above andBeyond are worth more than £400,000 tothe company.

However, managing director AndrewStoddart said the partnerships which thepractice has built and developed in order tosecure the work was invaluable.

“It’s common knowledge that the con-struction industry was one of those hardesthit by the recession,” said Mr Stoddart.“Although we’ve been hearing talk of greenshoots for some time now we preferred towait for evidence.

“We’ve worked hard throughout thedownturn to nurture relationships with key

partners, giving us an extremely strongposition now that the economy seems to bepicking up. We’re delighted with the suc-

cesses of last week but we’re aware that thisis simply the first step to getting theindustry back on track.”

■ BRIEFING: Managing director Andrew Stoddart (left) and members of the team atAbove & Beyond discuss latest projects

To LeT– LAST ReMAINING oFFICe SUITe

Pennine HouseBradley Business Park, Huddersfield1117.05m2 (1,260 sq ft)1Good quality accommodation1Centrally heated offices1Designated on site car parking1Rental: £15,500 pax

To LeTUnit 5 & 25 Grove Millselland Lane, elland14,009m2 (43,141 sq ft) & 957.28m2 (10,300 sq ft)1Established Industrial Estate1Good eaves height/Ample car parking1Prominent position with direct access to J24 M62Joint Agents Knight Frank 0113 2972423

To LeT9 Brook StreetHuddersfield1336.86m2 (3,626 sq ft)1Substantial town centre retail/leisure unit1Suitable for licensed trade use1Rental: £20,000 pax

To LeTPark WorksAinleys Industrial estate, elland1720.4m2 (7,754 sq ft)1Established location/Within one mile of J24 M6217m eaves1Good loading and parking facilities

01484 432043

TO LETThe Water Mill, Mirfield1812, Mirfield

3,000 to12,700 sq ft

Suite sizes from400 to 1,200 sq ft

OfficesSix suites available

Good quality refurbished office

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V isit our website www.hans on- c s .co.uk

Offices

TO LET1,050 sq ft

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First Floor3 Cherry Tree CentreMarket Street, Huddersfield

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Modern industrial/trade counter units

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Ashley Industrial EstateLeeds RoadHuddersfield

The Old Gatehouse

68 New North Road

Huddersfield

HD1 5NE

01484 432043

TO LET

1,520 to 8,200 sq ftRefurbished town centre offices with

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Fitzwilliam HouseFitzwilliam StreetHuddersfield

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Secure compound fronting exceptionally

busy A62 Leeds Road

Suitable for a variety of uses including car

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within 1 mile

0.68 acres

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Industrial

TO LET7,097 sq ft

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Wellington MillsPlover RoadHuddersfield

Unit 9Brookfoot Business ParkBrookfoot, Brighouse

Industrial

Storage LandEllis Hill, Leeds RoadHuddersfield

Contact orJason Metcalfe Philip Deakin

Joint agent Lancasters

Firm resumesuniversity linksA QUARRY company is stepping up its linkswith Huddersfield University.

Johnsons Wellfield Quarries, of CroslandHill, has provided stone for the university’snew Business School, which is taking shapeon the Queensgate campus.

The firm also produced the foundationstone, which was officially unveiled by theDuke of Gloucester at a special ceremony thisautumn.

“This is not the first time that JohnsonsWellfield Quarries have been involved inhelping to make the university’s campus oneof the most impressive in the country,” saidColin Blair, director of estates and facilities atthe university.

“They also supplied the stone and founda-tion stone for our creative arts building,which was unveiled by the Queen in 2007.

“We’re extremely pleased to be workingwith Johnsons Wellfield again – not only dueto the excellent quality and service theyprovide, but also because they’re a local firm,meaning the stone doesn’t have very far totravel, ensuring that as little damage is doneto the environment as possible during theconstruction of this building.”

Michael Gorman, technical sales managerat Johnsons Wellfield, said: “We are keen tostrengthen our ties with local business andcommerce.

“Supplying materials to the university’snew Business School provides a lasting legacyof the use of locally-sourced traditionalbuilding stone in modern architecture.”

The partnership also marks the continuingcommitment by the university to support

local businesses during the recession.The £16m Business School is on course for

completion in September, 2010. It is the latestphase of the university’s ambitious £150mnew build programme, which has alreadyseen £80m invested over the past 10 years.

■ ROCK SOLID: Michael Gorman (left), technical sales manager for Johnsons WellfieldQuarries, with Huddersfield University’s director of estates and facilities Colin Blair

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 10Regional ratingsA YORKSHIRE building firm is amongEurope’s top 11 construction sectorcompanies, a survey has revealed.Figures on the financial performance ofEurope’s biggest building firms showYork-based housebuilder Persimmon in33rd place. in the European Powers ofConstruction 2009 report by businessadvisory firm Deloitte.Other firms with sites in Yorkshire listedin the top 100 include Carillion, LaingO’Rourke, Barratt Developments, TaylorWimpey and Kier Group.

commercial properties

officesindustrial offices retail

www.bramleys.com

14 st georges square, huddersfield hd1 1jf

telephone 01484 558231/530361 - jonathan.wilson@bramleys1.co.uk

COLNESIDE BUSINESS PARK,MILNSBRIDGE£30,000 PA

● Office Premises● 541.62m²

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TERMS● Industrial Unit

9,151 sqft alsoavailable

COLNE VALE BUSINESS PARK,MILNSBRIDGE

1ST YEAR AT £12,500 PA

● Industrial

Workshop/Warehouse

● 444.37sqm

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● 3 Phase Electricity

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● 666sqft AlsoAvailable

7 CLIFTON LANE, MELTHAM£300,000

● Characterful

Office Building

● Large Car Park

● 246.65m²

(2,655ft²) Net

● Pleasant private

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● 6 miles from

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THIRSTIN ROAD,HUDDERSFIELD£30,000 PA

● High quality

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offices

● Dedicated car

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● 268sqm (2,883sqft)

● Prominentposition on theoutskirts ofHonley

SALENDINE NOOK SHOPPINGCENTRE, HUDDERSFIELD

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● Retail units● 20.72sqm

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ROYD STREET, HUDDERSFIELD£200 PER WEEK

● Single storey

industrial units

● 210.62m²

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● 3 Phase electricity

● 3 Miles from

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SCAR LANE, HUDDERSFIELD£63 PER WEEK

● Single Storey Unit

● 56.94sqm

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door

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ST GEORGES SQUARE,HUDDERSFIELD

£8,500 PA

● 2ND Floor officeaccommodation

● 103.68sqm(1,116sq ft)

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building

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2ND FLOOR, CLOTH HALLCHAMBERS, HUDDERSFIELD

£7,000 P/A

● RefurbishedBuilding

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OLD WAKEFIELD ROAD,HUDDERSFIELD

£7,250 PA

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014 8 4 4 32 0 4 3www.hanson-cs.co.uk

Contact Richard Smith

Ground floor newly refurbished open plan officesAmple on site car parkingWithin 1 mile of junction 24 M62

TO LET 2,659 sq ft

Rosemount HouseRosemount EstateElland

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 11

Structherm aiming toreach greater heights

A FIRM specialising in refurbishing oldproperties is in the spotlight.

Meltham-based Structherm has beenshortlisted in a national awards for its partin regenerating a Merseyside housingestate.

And it is winning new business with aninnovative insulated real brick slip clad-ding system for use on buildings in need ofa facelift.

Structherm’s nomination in the SustainMagazine Awards 2010 comes for its partin the regeneration of the Daneville Estatein Liverpool.

The company has reached the finals forits work with Liverpool Mutual Homes tohelp refurbish 600 properties on the estate– 63 of which were void at the start of theproject.

The properties were in varying states ofdisrepair.

Structherm’s structural cladding sys-tem not only addressed the structuralproblems that the properties faced, butalso improved their appearance andthermal efficiency – improving the look ofthe estate, reducing fuel costs for tenantsand making the estate a desirable place tolive.

Structherm is nominated in the Awardfor Refurbishment category for the pro-ject.

The winner will be revealed at anawards ceremony in March during Eco-

build, the annual design and constructionexhibition.

Structherm won several award nomina-tions during 2009 for its work innew-build and refurbishment .

It reached the finals of the 2009 Sus-tainable Housing Awards for its work onthe Daneville Estate and was shortlistedfor two classes in the Off Site Construc-tion Awards for new-build project inStratford upon Avon

Meanwhile, Structherm is winningwork with its insulated real brick slipcladding system, which combines theadvantages of modern construction tech-niques with the appeal of traditionalbrickwork.

The system is targeted at the socialhousing sector for external refurbishmentwork – particularly ground floors of highrise properties.

F a s t b r i c k w i l l c o m p l i m e n tStructherm’s existing range of refurbish-ment systems that include external wallinsulation and cladding products.

The company said: “Fastbrick is fasterand easier installation than traditionalmasonry, boasts high insulation valuesand is aesthetically pleasing.”

The system has already been used for a1960s high-rise block of flats in Clyde-bank, Scotland, to remedy structuraldefects, condensation and mould and toimprove energy efficiency.

■ NEW LOOK: Properties in Liverpool(above) given a facelift by Meltham firmStructherm’s real brick slip claddingsystem, while the firm’s new Fastbrickproduct has been used on this 1960shigh-rise in Clydebank, Scotland (right)

Surveyors forecastingrise in residential rentsSURVEYORS in Yorkshire areincreasingly optimistic that resid-ential rents will start to rise in theNew Year– as the number of rentalproperties coming onto the markethas fallen.

A survey by the Royal Institutionof Chartered Surveyors said thepick-up in the housing market hadled to a fall in the number of rentalproperties – particularly houses –being made available.

As a result, surveyor optimism inthe North has increased – with 31%of surveyors expecting rents to risein the next three months, That’s 4%up on the previous quarter.

The region’s surveyors are alsoreporting price rises over the pastthree months – with 13% ofrespondents claiming an increasein rents, up from 9%.

The drop off in supply is the mainreason for the increased optimism.The number of surveyors reportingnew instructions to rent has fallenin the region from a balance ofminus 11% to a figure of minus21%.

That is in stark contrast to latelast year when the housing market

was still suffering from fallingprices and many would-be sellerswere turning to the lettings marketwhen their houses failed to sell.

Demand for rental property isalso rising – up from 10% to 15%.

RICS regional spokesman

Jonathan Charters-Reid said: “Therental market in Yorkshire is nowvastly more exciting than we’veexperienced it to be in previousmonths.

“An increase in interest frominvestors and purchasers andvendors who have adapted to themarket’s needs has significantlyincreased the opportunity in theregion.

“We echo the survey figures andare generally finding that thedecent properties coming on to themarket are renting readily andquickly, as are the properties whichhave been empty on the marketpreviously.

“In turn, this means that we areseeing some rents increasing. Thedemand for good, solid houses hasincreased leading to rises in rentsfairly broadly across the region.

“There is no longer an over sup-ply in the Yorkshire market anddemand is improving with morepeople looking to rent, whereas ayear ago those who couldn’t selltheir property were becoming acci-dental landlords.”

Make yourpremises safeand securethis ChristmasKIRKLEES companies are beingurged to take steps to keep theirpremises secure over Christmas.

The National Security Inspect-orate warned that some organisa-tions could leave themselves opento the risk of burglary, arson orcriminal damage if they fail tosafeguard their property over theChristmas shutdown.

Spokesman Julian Stanton said:“Criminals will be aware that manybusinesses will be left unattendedfor up to 10 days.

“This could include whole areas– such as industrial estates – wherefew company employees will ven-ture during the holiday period.

“This provides the perfectopportunity for criminals to targetquieter than normal business areasin particular. And there is also theincreased risk of vandalism andarson.”

Mr Stanton said businesses

should check that intruder alarms,CCTV and fire alarm systems arein working order and that systemsare locked, set and working asnecessary before the last employeeleaves.

Businesses in doubt about thesecurity of their premises shouldcontact local police for crime pre-vention advice or speak to theirinstaller if their concerns relate tosecurity systems.

Said Mr Stanton: “Making surethat appropriate security and fireprevention measures are in placewhen a business closes for the fest-ivities should ensure a positive startto the New Year.

“Effective electronic security andfire protection systems that workwhen you need them are essential.You should therefore ensure thatyour security and fire systems con-tractor is approved by a recognisedapprovals body.”

■ INTEREST: RICS spokesmanJonathan Charters-Reid

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 12

In pleasantcompanyA MARKETING firm in Huddersfield has gainedCompany Partner status with the MarketResearch Society.

The award to Ask Marketing, based at theMedia Centre, follows a gruelling applicationprocess to meet a strict selection criteria.

Director Susan Kenyon said: “To be acceptedby the Market Research Society as a CompanyPartner is a great step forward for us andshows our continued commitment to quality.

“We’re proud to represent the leading light forour industry and look forward to a continuedassociation with the society.”

Agencies awarded Company Partner statusundertake a commitment to up hold marketresearch industry standards – includingagreeing to comply with the MRS code ofconduct, exhibiting research excellence andsupporting its values of professionalism.

PwCDan Suggitt

DAN Suggitt has been appointed asenior manager byPricewaterhouseCoopers.

Mr Suggitt, a chartered surveyorwith 15 years experience in theregional property market, hasjoined the firm’s business recoveryservices real estate team in Leeds.

He has spent the past nineyears working with a local propertyinvestment and developmentcompany – and was responsible for all aspects ofthe development process from site identificationthrough to completion.

YorkshireForward

Heidi Mottram & Sharon Allen

TWO appointments have beenmade to the board of regionaldevelopment agency YorkshireForward.

Heidi Mottram (top, fight) andSharon Allen (also pictured) takeup their three-year appointmentswith the agency.

Their appointments wereconfirmed by Business MinisterPat McFadden, who said: “Theybring a real wealth of experienceand leadership to the role.

“The contribution they can makewill be extremely valuable to theagency’s work supporting growthin the region as the UK movestowards economic recovery.”

Heidi Mottram has worked in the rail industrysince the mid-1980s and has been managingdirector of Northern Rail since it started inDecember, 2004.

Sharon Allen has been chief executive of StAnne’s Community Services for more than sixyears. She is also a board member of HomelessLink, the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Forum, StAnne’s Shelter & Housing Action Trading Ltd,Affinity Trust, and Volition.

FMG SupportMike Richardson

FLEET performance improvementcompany FMG Support hasappointed Mike Richardson asgroup finance director.

Mr Richardson joins the boardfrom his previous role aschief financial officer at freightmanagement business GeodisWilson.

He has also worked for drinksgiant Diageo, where he was involved in the financialmanagement of several business units, and TNT,where he led the group’s communications withglobal financial markets.

In his new role, Mr Richardson will be responsiblefor managing and developing relationships with theinvestment community and seeking strategicopportunities for FMG Support – includingacquisitions – as well as enhancing shareholdervalue in the business.

FMG Support has demonstrated consistentyear-on-year growth over the past five years interms of turnover and operating profit. Thecompany, based at St Andrew’s Road, BradleyMills, is on target to achieve growth during thecurrent financial year despite the global downturn.

Said Mr Richardson: “I’m looking forward tobringing my past experience to FMG Support andworking with a fast-paced, growing entrepreneurialbusiness with huge potential.”

He’s leading a winning team!

A HUDDERSFIELD man has helpedcolleagues at a college marketingdepartment win a stack of awards.

Palvinder Singh has headed themarketing and communicationsdepartment at Stockport College forthe past two years.

And under his leadership, thedepartment has swept the board –winning awards at the CIPR PRideAwards in Manchester and the FEFirst Awards in Coventry.

The department beat hundreds oftop agencies in the PR and marketingsector – and was judged as havingsome of the best marketing andcommunications campaigns andcollateral in the UK Further Educationsector.

Stockport was the only college inthe north-west to be shortlisted at theprestigious, regional CharteredInstitute of Public Relations PRideAwards CIPR awards – winning gold inthe category for best newsletter.

The college also won gold in thesame category ay the national FEFirst Awards where it was also highlycommended in two other categories.

Mr SIngh joined Stockport Collegefrom his role as marketing manager atJoseph Priestley College in Leeds.

He said: “We have spent a lot oftime on research and development toget where we are now and the sheerrise in applications and enrolmentfigures is a testament to StockportCollege’s success.”

■ WINNING TEAM: Palvinder Singh (centre, back) with colleagues (back, fromleft) Sukhjeet Rai and James McCracken and (front, from left) Don Scaife, JulieStamper, Niina Marttila and Elizabeth Franks

Traineespass examsFOUR employees at a Huddersfield insurancebrokers have achieved success in training.

Eastwood and Partners runs the insuranceapprenticeship programme at itsNorthumberland Street offices.

Now the first four certificates have beenawarded to Gareth Crowther, Nick Etell, LydiaMay and Sarah Sugden.

The programme has been completed inconjunction with Babington Business Collegeand consists of an NVQ plus a technicalInsurance examination.

Human resources manager Lucy Hodgsonsaid: “The apprenticeship programme offers astructured approach to learning.

“Through day-to-day work, goals can beachieved and a professional qualification canbe earned.

“Our four successful candidates are nowprogressing to the advanced apprenticeship.”

Eastwood and Partners has more than 80staff based in Huddersfield, Halifax andSheffield providing insurance broking, riskmanagement and financial services.

More bookingsat the stadiumBOSSES at the Galpharm Stadiumhave booked in a new supporter!

The Holiday Inn at Brighousebecomes the stadium’s official hotelpartner and will provide rooms at pref-erential rates for all stadium partners.The arrangement also extends to “sis-ter” hotels the Crown Plaza, Leeds, andthe Holiday Inn, Wakefield.

Ralph Rimmer, stadium managingdirector, said: “This is a very importantand long overdue addition to the fam-ily.

“We receive regular visitors from allover the country and further abroad –and to be able to offer these bedroomrates to compliment our conference and

banqueting and other activities is a realbonus.

“It is crucial that we can meet all ourclients’ requirements and giving themquality local facilities such as this workswell for us.

The venue is top class. People we haveworked alongside have also proved tobe of the same calibre and also sportsdaft! That is a winning combinationand I am confident we have a strongfuture together.”

Louise Dodd, general manager of theHoliday Inn, Brighouse, said “We aredelighted that Ralph has given us theopportunity to join the KSDL partner-ship.”

■ ROOM WITH A VIEW: Ralph Rimmer,stadium managing director, with (from left)Patricia Lawton and Louise Dodd, representingthe Holiday Inn at Brighouse; and Jaine Binns,of Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd