KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees12, June, 2012

INSIDE

● Full story - Page 8

● Full story - Page 7

J ILL EVANS

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

Proper ty pressure pointsCo lumn - Page 6

An EXAMINER publication

AwardsshortlistA SOLICITOR at a lawfirm with offices inHuddersfield andDewsbury has beenshortlisted for anational award for herwork with victims ofdomestic abuse andher efforts to promoteawareness of the lawaround forcedmarriage. Razia Jogi, ofSwitalskis Solicitors, isone of three lawyersnationally in therunning for the titleFamily Legal AidLawyer of the Year.

Pride andpassionA COMPANY helpingother firms transformtheir businessoperations has openeda new base inHuddersfield.Insight with Passion,led by co-foundingpartners KateHardcastle and RichardGomersall, has openedoffices in the town’sMedia Centre to providemore local clients withthe advice, tools andtechniques to helpthem achieve theirgoals and be the bestthey can be.

JASON BANNISTER

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uk Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

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Apprentices ‘vitalto UK engineering’APPRENTICESHIPS provide thekey to securing the future of manufac-turing firms in Kirklees, says a trainingchief.

David Todhunter, chief executive ofBrighouse-based KITS, said compan-ies across the district needed to con-sider apprenticeships as a way ofbringing new blood into the business.

He said: “The Government is mak-ing a significant investment in appren-t i c e s h i p s a n d t a l k s a b o u tmanufacturing as the key to economicrecovery.

“At the same time, many manufac-turers looking at expanding into newworld markers face a demographictimebomb – with an ageing workforce– and need to consider successionplanning.

“We are talking to one companywhere the average age of the workforceis 47.

“When we are repeatedly told thatpeople are a company’s greatest asset,employers have to see the value ofinvesting in people.”

KITS, a not-for-profit organisationwhich has been providing training for40 years, focuses on offering three and

four-year apprenticeships in fabrica-tion, mechanical and electrical engin-eering as well as motor vehicle repair.

It has 250 apprentices and about 25employees. August will see the arrivalof its latest intake of 100 school leav-ers, who will already have been offeredjobs with employers.

As well as learning skills for work,trainees also cover skills such as healthand safety and “safeguarding” worksuch as drug and alcohol awareness.KITS also works with the police andfire service to bring home the messageof safe driving.

KITS, which has its headquarters atArmytage Road, also aims to instil agood work ethic among its trainees –with learners clocking on and clockingoff as they would do in the workplace.Their punctuality record is checked atweekly reviews and their employersinformed if there are persistent prob-lems.

The aim is that by the end of theirtraining, the apprentices will have theskills to contribute productively totheir companies from day one – as wellas understanding their rights andresponsibilities.

KITS was recognised in a recentOfsted inspection when it was rated“satisfactory” overall and its training

centre was viewed as “exceptional”. Italso has ISO9001/2008 and is Cus-tomer First accredited.

Two years ago, it became the firstengineering training organisation togain the prestigious Training QualityStandard – following a rigorousassessment and certification process.

Said Mr Todhunter: “We work withe m p l o y e r s r a n g i n g f r o mmulti-national companies involved indistribution and manufacturing tofirms producing safes and expensiveclocks.

“We can tailor-make training pro-grammes for companies that areincreasingly looking to upskill andmulti-skill their staff.

“They may want mechanical engin-eers with electrical engineering capab-il it ies or vice-versa to reducedowntime on manufacturing, pro-cessing or packaging lines andimprove efficiency.

“What they will get with apprenticetraining is a skilled employee who willin many cases remain loyal to thecompany and grow with it. I haveknown employees who start as appren-tices and end up as directors.”

■ SKILLS: David Todhunter, chiefexecutive of KITS

Company puts training at top of the agendaA COMPANY making kit-chen extraction equipmentis underlining its commit-ment to the industrythrough its apprenticeshipscheme.

Westin Design, based atLeeds Road, Huddersfield,has recruited 17-yar-oldLiam Briggs, who is learn-ing about kitchen extractionand all aspects of relatedengineering, welding andfabricating.

He is the latest in a seriesof apprentices who havetrained and remained withthe company – ensuring itretains the skills needed tosecure the future of the busi-ness.

Operat ions managerJason Brooks, who joinedWestin Design as an appren-tice in 1996, said: “So ofteneverything is automatedthese days.

“Westin Design’s growth,together with our need toensure the skills we possessstay strong and sharp, hasled to us taking on moreapprentices.

“ We s e l e c t e d L i a mbecause as well as enthusi-asm and a readiness tolearn, he displayed a creat-ive approach, which fits verywell with Westin’s designand performance-led philo-sophy.”

Said Liam: “I wanted to

go straight into the world ofwork and applied to KITSin Brighouse.

“I have been employedwith Westin Design as anapprentice since Novemberlast year and am undertak-ing my City & Guilds Levels1 and 2 in welding and fab-rication.

“I have one day a weekout away from the factory atcollege and an assessorcomes out to view me here atwork as well as on-goingassessment and exams.

“I definitely made theright decision and can seemyself here at WestinDesign for many years tocome.”

■ NEW RECRUIT: Westin Design operations manager JasonBrooks with apprentice Liam Briggs

Planet’s networking star

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

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Local shares

FTSE

5432.37Down 2.71

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TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.48 dollarsBangladesh................. 120.13 takaBrazil.............................. 2.81 realsCanada....................... 1.51 dollarsChina ............................. 8.85 yuanCzech Republic ...... 28.61 korunasDenmark....................... 8.70 kroneEuro............................... 1.18 euroHong Kong................ 11.45 dollarsHungary ................... 324.03 forintsIndia.......................... 75.73 rupeesJapan........................... 117.76 yenMexico ....................... 19.14 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.86 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.90 kronePakistan.................. 138.02 rupeesPhilippines ................. 57.19 pesosSouth Africa ................. 12.06 randSouth Korea.............. 1579.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 192.25 rupeesSweden....................... 10.45 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.41 francsTaiwan ...................... 40.60 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.67 new liraUSA ............................ 1.48 dollars

THE boss of ThamesWater has been awardeda bonus nearly equal tohis annual salary after ayear in which a hosepipeban was announced andcustomer satisfaction“deteriorated”.

Chief executive MartinBaggs was awarded anannual bonus of£418,359 for the year toMarch 31 on top of his£425,000 salary,according to thecompany’s annual report.

Mr Baggs, who wasappointed in March,2010, is also in line toreceive hundreds ofthousands of poundsworth of shares in thenext four years under along-term incentive plan.

The UK’s largest waterand wastewater servicesprovider announced ahosepipe ban in Marchafter a drought took holdacross many parts of thecountry.

The period also saw itsmeasure of customersatisfaction drop, thedeath of two contractorsin separate incidents anda rise in the number ofpollution reports.

Boss winsbig bonus

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £35.78 -0.22Gannett 814.64 -5.16Hess Corp £28.54 -0.28Microsoft 1889.66 -21.27Motors Liquidation 48.34Wal-Mart Stores £43.94 -0.03

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 299 +4BAE Systems 2801/2 +1Rolls-Royce 8211/2 +3

AIMBrady Plc 82Dawson Intl 11/8Man Brnze 25 +11/4

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 1833/8 +15/8

BANKSBarclays 1901/2 +1/4HSBC 5333/4 +23/8Lloyds Banking Gp 281/2 +1/2Ryl Scotland 2213/8 -15/8Stan Chart 13471/2 -13

BEVERAGESDiageo 15881/2 -31/2SABMiller £241/4 -1/8

CHEMICALSCroda £221/2 -1/4Elementis 98 2041/4 +13/4Johnsn Mat £23 -1/4

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2825/8 -1/8

Costain 188

ELECTRICITYDrax Gp 541 -41/2Intl Power 4161/4 +1/8SSE 1344

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1917/8 -31/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3421/8 -3/8

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 2071/4 +3/4Cable & WirelessComm

287/8 -1/4

Cable & WirelessWwide

343/4 -5/8

Colt Group 1151/2 -3/4KCOM 697/8 -1/8Talktalk Telecom 157 -3/4

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2813/4 +1/8Sainsbury 2883/4 -7/8Tesco 3023/4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1194 +6Tate Lyle 640 +61/2Unilever £203/8 -1/8

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3151/8 -1/8National Grid 6591/2 -21/2Pennon Grp 7361/2 -71/2Severn 1789 +7United Utils 675 -51/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 1827/8 -1/4ICAP 3371/4 +21/8London StockExch 963 -141/2Man Group 763/4 -31/8Provident Financial 1119 +13Schroders 1246 +16Schroders NV 983 +7

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 6331/2 -61/2REXAM 4123/8 -37/8Smiths Grp 1005 -4

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 23Carphone Whse 1331/2 +1Dixons Retail 13 +3/8Home Retail 731/2 +3/4Inchcape 3221/2 -25/8Kingfisher 2783/4 -1/4M & S 3311/2 -33/4Mothercare 2121/4 +3/4Next £301/2 +1/4WH Smith 4871/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 603 -11/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 80 +2Barrat Dev 1291/4 +1/4Persimmon 5911/2 -1/2Reckitt Benckiser £345/8 -1/4Taylor Wimpey 451/2 +1/2

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGI M I 8711/2 +4

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 1943/8 -8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 2001/8 +1/4

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 2687/8 -25/8Lgl & Gen 1167/8 +1/4Old Mutual 1483/4 +13/4Prudential 700 +31/2Resolution 1941/2 -37/8Standard Life 2181/8 -21/4

MEDIABSkyB 6871/2 -81/2D Mail Tst 3747/8 -77/8ITV 721/4 -3/8Johnston Press 55/8 -1/4Pearson 1167 +13Reed Elsevier 4873/4 -53/4STV Group 97 +1/2Trinity Mirror 253/4 -1/4Utd Business 5521/2 +11/2UTV 124 -1WPP 7631/2 +11/2Yell Group 11/4 -1/8

MININGAnglo American £203/4Antofagasta 1054 -6BHP Billiton 1765 -2Eurasian NaturalRes

4063/4 -17

Fresnillo 1396 -46Kazakhmys 6921/2 -121/2Lonmin 729 -181/2Rio Tinto £281/2 -1/8

VEDANTARESOURCES

930 -51/2

Xstrata 9615/8 +21/2MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 4593/4 -61/4Vodafone Group 171 -1/2

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1075 +1RSA Insurance Gp 1011/8 -1/4

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 12581/2 -8BP 4147/8 +57/8Cairn Energy 291 -31/8Royal Dutch Shell A £203/8Royal Dutch Shell B £211/4

Total £28 +1/8Tullow Oil 1435 -8

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 963 -1Petrofac 1532 -3Wood Gp(J) 680 -3

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1377 -7

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGYAstrazeneca £265/8GlaxoSmithK XD 41/2Shire 1891 +12

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4811/4 -71/4Captl Shop Cent 310 -23/4Hamrsn 4097/8 -55/8Land Secs 7071/2 -91/2SEGRO 2125/8 -41/8

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 2121/4 -51/8Logica 1063/4 -1/4Sage Group 2583/4 -13/8

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 4755/8 -13/8Bunzl 1043 +3Capita 650 +1/2De La Rue 1020 +5Electrocomp 2021/4 -3/4Experian 9381/2 +1/2G4S 2743/4 -11/4Hays 73 +3/4Homeserve 139 -21/4Menzies J 611 +13

Rentokil 73 +1/4Smiths News 963/4 -1/2Wolseley £223/8 +1/4

IT HARDWARE

ARM Hldgs 5051/2 +1Psion 58 +11/2Spirent Comms 163 +43/4

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £311/8 -1/8Imperial Tobacco £233/4

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 1305/8 +1/2Carnival £211/4Compass Grp 638 -2easyJet 4997/8 -1/8Enterprise Inns 623/4 +3/4FirstGroup 210 -23/8Go-Ahead Gp 1128 -13Greene King 4891/4 +13/4Intercontl Htls 1503 -1Intl Cons AirlinesGp

1455/8 -1/2

Ladbrokes 1701/2 +3/8Mitchells & Butlers 222 +45/8Natl Express 1841/4 +27/8Rank Org 117 -5/8Stagecoach Group 2357/8 -21/8TUI Travel 1643/4 -11/4Whitbread 1887 +1

Carclo 364 +8Marshalls 921/4 -11/2National Grid 6591/2 -21/2Weir Gp 1449 -9

■ SHOP TALK: Tesco said itsperformance has been robust

SUPERMARKET giant Tescostruggled to convince the market it isback on track – despite reporting arecord £1bn of Jubilee week sales.

The UK’s biggest retailer suffered a1.5% fall in underlying sales in the 13weeks to May 26, although this did notinclude the period around the Queen’sDiamond Jubilee when it enjoyed itsbiggest ever week outside Christmas.

Despite its latest quarterly salesdecline, Tesco said its £1bn turn-around, which has seen it revamp 100stores and recruit 4,300 extra staff, isbeginning to gain traction as it com-petes more convincingly with rivals.

Although investors were sparedanother profits warning, shares closedflat at 302.8p after falling slightly dur-ing early trading..

Chief executive Philip Clarke said:“Our customers are seeing the evidenceof the changes we’re making andthey’re telling us they like what they

see.”Tesco kept its profits outlook for the

year ahead unchanged, reassuringinvestors after the chain’s first profitswarning in 20 years in January.

Clive Black, an analyst at ShoreCapital, said: “We see Tesco UK astoughing it out a little more effectivelythan it was.”

But he added that it will take at leasttwo years for the turnaround to becompleted.

The retailer is struggling in a compet-itive market, as it battles it out withbuoyant rivals Sainsbury’s, Asda anddiscounters Aldi and Lidl at a timewhen shoppers are cutting back.

However, Freddie George, an analystat Seymour Pierce, said: “We continueto believe that Tesco is still a strongbusiness with an unassailable marketleading position in the UK, that hastemporarily come off the rails.”

As some in the City worry that

Tesco’s dominance over the last decadeis under threat, it has faced pressure tomake radical changes such as exiting itsbanking or loss-making US divisions.

However, Mr Clarke’s turnaroundplan has focused on sharpening up itspricing and customer service andrefreshing its jaded and tired stores.

It has already given 145,000 staffspecialist training, improved the offersthrough its Clubcard scheme andrelaunched its Value range as EverydayValue with more colourful packaging.

Mr Clarke added: “We are rapidlyimplementing our six-point UK planand I’m particularly proud of therelaunch of our Everyday Value rangeand the fact we have now put extra staffinto 700 of our stores – in 500 of themwithin the last three weeks alone.”

He said sales overseas proved resili-ent, despite slowing economic growthin China and the eurozone debt crisis.

REGIONAL airline Flybe slumped toa “disappointing” full-year loss –despite boosting its share of thedeclining UK passenger market.

It racked up losses in the UK of£2.2m for the year to the end ofMarch, compared to profits of £5.7mthe previous year, as it battled a 5%decline in the domestic market andhigh fuel prices.

But the carrier, which operatesfrom 14 UK bases serving 102 air-ports in the UK and 17 otherEuropean countries, lifted its shareof its domestic market to 28% afterpassenger numbers rose by 2% to7.3m.

Its shares closed up 4.8p at 66.8p

as the group’s underlying lossescame in slightly lower than expectedand analysts said it is set to benefitfrom recent falls in oil prices and anyrecovery in its markets.

Flybe Finland, the company’s jointventure with Finnair started nearly ayear ago, already operates 25 routesin six countries and has scope forfurther expansion amid consolida-tion in the industry.

Group losses of £7.1m comparedwith £22.3m profit the previous year.Forward Ticket sales for the summerwere up by 4.5%.

Investec analyst Andrew Fitchiesaid he expects the airline to returnto profit in the current year.

Tesco still upbeatas UK sales slump

Flybe posts loss in tough year Jobs gloom for YorkshireTHE outlook for employment inYorkshire has worsened, according toa survey today.

The latest study by employmentagency Manpower reported a netemployment outlook of minus 2%following several quarters of positivefindings.

The survey asked whether employ-ers intend to hire additional workersor reduce the size of their workforce inthe coming economic quarter.

Nationally, the figure of plus 1%keeps the UK jobs market in positiveterritory following a figure of plus 2%in the second quarter of 2012.

Amanda White, operations man-

ager for Manpower, said: “It is notsurprising to see sentiment in York-shire drop.

“We are seeing real competition forthe best candidates and people needto work hard to boost their skills.

“One problem is that there is noliquidity in the Yorkshire employmentmarket.

“Candidates are thinking twicebefore leaving their current roles andwe are also seeing a number of candid-ates pulling out of interviews at thelast minute.”

She said: “It is important toemphasise that there are still jobs outthere.”

Job atTopshopSIR Philip Green’sArcadia Group hasappointed Burberryexecutive Justin Cookeas chief marketing officerof fashion chain Topshop

Mr Cooke, who willtake up the post inSeptember, is expectedto assist with the brand’sglobal expansion plans,particularly in terms ofdigital marketing andsocial media.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Jill Evans

The PlanetGroup

Role: Brand guardianAge: 38Family: Partner Colinand one-year-old sonNoahHolidays: My dreamis to run abed-and-breakfast inthe South of FranceCar: Alfa Romeo MitoFirst job: I had twoSunday newspaperdelivery rounds. Myfirst proper job was asa waitressBest thing aboutjob: Working withpeople who are pas-sion about makingsure clients’ busi-nesses work moreeffectivelyWorst thing aboutjob: When my alarmsounds at 4.30am foranother networkingevent!Business tip: Treatpeople how THEYwant to be treated

Work: Graphic designEmploys: 25Site: Bay Hall, BirkbyPhone: 01484321000Email:jevans@planet- group.co.ukWeb:www.planet-group.co.uk

Jill putsin thehours atPlanet

NOBODY networks like JillEvans. And she's got theawards to prove it!

The hard-workingmother-of-one, who goes bythe grand-sounding title ofbrand guardian atBirkby-based design agencyThe Planet Group,understands the value ofgetting out and meetingpeople as the first step towinning new business.

She joined the BNInetworking organisationthree-and-a-half years agoand within six months wasnot only attending her "home"BNI group, but had beenappointed assistant directorfor the South Pennine area,responsible for other groupsin the Huddersfield, HolmeValley and Halifax areas.

Her efforts earned Jill thetitle of Assistant Director ofthe Year in the BNI UK andIreland Awards for 2010-2011– a trophy to add to theaward she won the previousyear.

“My home BNI group, TheTerriers, meets everyWednesday at LockwoodPark,” she says. “It’s quite astrong group with 42members. Being involved inBNI is good for our businessto the extent that the vastmajority of our work isbusiness we have gotthrough BNI.

“There is so muchcompetition among designagencies in Huddersfield thatit's important to havepersonal recommendationsand build relationships.

“At Planet, I am in chargeof bringing in new business. Itdoesn't matter how I do that.I could spend every day onthe phone cold calling – or Icould network and get toknow people who could beuseful contacts.”

Says Jill: “I do attendnetworking events other thanBNI. All networking is good,but if I turn up somewhereand I don't know anyone Iusually end up standing bythe coffee so someone willcome up to speak to me!”

Persistence pays off,however. “When you arenetworking with the samepeople, they learn to trustyou. Providing referrals helpssmall businesses in the areabecome more profitable. Andif you provide referrals forthem, they will provide themfor you. It is about givingsomething back.”

Jill also spends a lot oftime mentoring otherbusinesses under the BNIbanner. She says: “It really isa case of the more you dothe more you get out of it.Companies that havebenefited from mentoring willreturn the compliment. Sometimes you don't get a directreferral. It might come via amanagement consultant thatadvises a client to go todesign agencies. BNI is allabout visibility, credibility andprofitability.”

Jill was born in Oldham,but came to HuddersfieldUniversity to study music.She plays flute and piano andprovides a little private tuitionto students keen to study and“get through the grades”. Butshe says: “I studied musicbecause I knew it wassomething I enjoyed, notbecause I wanted to make it

a career. I specialised inperformance for my degree,which was very good forbuilding confidence. I amable to use some of what Ilearned when I speak to BNImembers.

“I had a number of jobsafter university. I have workedin telesales and time-sharesales. I worked behind thebar at the Rock Cafe in townfor 12 years and I have veryfond memories of my timethere. I worked at the RockCafe even after I joinedPlanet in 2001 to work as amagazine advertisingperson.”

A few months into her joband Jill became moreinvolved with design. Nowshe provides a link betweenthe design department andthe clients – providing asounding board for thedesign team's ideas andensuring that their creativeefforts tie in with the client'soriginal brief.

“I never wanted to dographic design,” she says. “Icame to Planet for a salesjob. Design was something Igot interested in very quickly.”

She also deals directly withPlanet’s major clients andaims to extend its orbitfurther.

““We are a small tomedium-sized full serviceagency covering everythingfrom branding and graphicdesign to websites,brochures and corporateliterature,” says Jill. “Wechallenge our clients – askthem what they do, what theyare trying to do and how theywant to get there. We makesure we communicate withthe client. I am the firstperson and the last personthe client sees.”

Says Jill: “We have a teamthat is willing to give 100%.toget things right. We have ourmobiles on all day and we dowork weekends. We haveclients who will ring on Fridayafternoon for something theywant done by Monday. We'llget the pizzas in and workinto the night to do it.”

Jill recalls one client whowas trying to build upbusiness simply on the basisof his business card – andseemed surprised at howmuch more his competitors

were doing to make a greatimpression.

“First impressions really docount,” she says. “If apotential customer is beingbombarded with literaturefrom potential suppliers, wetry to make sure that ourclient's literature is the onethey pick up. It's about gettinga foot in the door.”

Says Jill: “People say tome ‘You’re such a naturalnetworker and you’re a goodjudge of people’spersonalities. The reason isthat I’ve worked in a bar forso long! People come into abar and talk about whatevertopics they want and youhave to be able to join in.

“Being in sales isunderstanding people andwhat they want. it is no goodgoing into a company andpreaching to them aboutwhat we do. I need tounderstand what it is theywant from working with us.”

Jill makes time for a widerange of interests. Holidaysmean snowboarding, scubadiving and – for a change ofpace – relaxing by the pool. “Ilike working hard and I enjoythe rewards,” she says.“Sometimes I think I'mworking for a million hours –but I'm not thinking that whenI'm sitting on the beach!

“I like to go running. I'vedone a few half-marathons,but I would never compete fora fast time.

“I love gardening and growvegetables. It's something Ican do on my own and seethe rewards for my efforts. Istick to the easy stuff likepotatoes, tomatoes, peppers,strawberries, blueberries andraspberries. I like cooking aswell. I follow a recipe andwhen it says ‘add a spring ofrosemary’ I can just go intothe garden to get it.”

■ BY DESIGN: Networking is about giving something back,says Planet’s “brand guardian” Jill Evans

On the board with

01484 538 351theboard@revellward.co.ukTwitter@RevellWard

www.revellward.co.uk

Lesley SuttonTax Director

Taxable benefits provided to employees needto be reported on form P11D by 6 July 2012.Common benefits include cars, fuel, medicalinsurance and low or interest free loans.Employers can also cut down on theirreporting requirements, by meeting theiremployee’s tax liability on small benefitsor non-cash incentive awards, which mightremove the need to complete P11D's for some

employees.To do this employers need to enter into a

PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA). A PSAcan include; taxi fares, incidental travel,taxable staff parties and non-cash gifts or

incentives.Employers wanting to enter into a PSA for11/12 must do so before 6 July 2012.

6 July 2012 DeadlineFast Approaching!!

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4Forum unveils loan scheme

On right trackfor IT supportA VEHICLE tracking supplier hasstrengthened its links with aHuddersfield IT support service.Remote Asset Managementteamed up with Lockwood-basedP2 Technologies five years ago toprovide a flexible and responsiveIT service on a range oftechnologies from Dell, Microsoftand Cisco. P2 has also providedfurther guidance on IT strategy.Martin Davies (above), directorand co-founder of RAM, said:“We rely heavily on our ITsystems to provide award-winingcustomer service 24 hours a dayseven days a week.“We are proud to have beenvoted the UK’s number onevehicle tracking supplier and thisis in no small part down to ourcomplex IT systems. We see P2as an extended part of thebusiness as we can always relyon them to respond swiftly anddeliver the same high qualityservice that we provide ourcustomers with.”Martin Page, director at P2, said:“As a company which workswithin a fast-paced demandingindustry, we understood RAM’srequirements for high qualityservice and the importance thatIT plays in the business.“By understanding the nature ofthe business from day one wehave been able to provide anefficient, reliable service for RAMwhilst providing them with theconfidence that we are always onhand, should they need it.”

Pros and cons ofboardroom statusAMBITIOUS managers have been urgedto make sure they know what they’redoing when offered a seat at theboardroom table.

Denby Dale-based businesswoman JoHaigh said: “The excitement of beingoffered a new post on the board ofdirectors is fairly self-evident for theambitious manager.

“It may involve the obligatory new car,salary and other benefit increases, alongwith the prestige of a nice flashy title.”

But she said becoming a board directorhas “various ramifications” and managersoffered a directorship should consider itcarefully.

Jo, who has held numerousdirectorships, is a partner in fdsCorporate Finance Services and the fdsGroup, a specialist training anddevelopment business.

She said managers offered adirectorship should ensure they werecomfortable with the firm’s managementaccounts, business plan and cashflowforecast as well as its bank facilities,direction and officers’ liability insuranceand health and safety policies.

They should also be aware of issuesincluding corporate responsibility, risk,customer care, employee diversity, boardminutes and three-year financialaccounts.

And they should be aware of possible

“conflicts” affecting their ability to fulfil adirector’s role, including familycommitments.

Said Jo: “Questions to ask yourself aredo you understand the differencebetween the role of the director and thatof a manager? If not, have you discusseddirector development?

“What is the succession plan for theboard? Have you taken the temperatureof the board dynamics? Finally, are youready to accept the substantial personalrisks attached to being a director?”

Salon successwas nailed on!A NAIL salon in Huddersfield hasbeen highly commended in anational award.Nailspa, based at NortonthorpeMills, Scissett, was namedindependent nail salon of theyear in the inaugural ScratchStars Awards held at London’sCafé de Paris.Daybreak presenter and StrictlyCome Dancing celebrity dancerDan Lobb hosted the awards andpresented the certificate toBelinda Price and her team.The awards were organised byScratch Magazine.Belinda said: “We are thrilled tobe recognised for our hard workin this way. As the only North ofEngland salon to be awarded byScratch Stars we feel veryprivileged.”

‘Cause foroptimism’A HUDDERSFIELD lawfirm is advising “cautiousoptimism” for businessesin the region following itslatest half-yearly assess-ment of the private sectorin Yorkshire.

Baxter Caulfield, whichhas offices in StationStreet, conducted a studyof company announce-ments relating to jobs,investment and new con-tracts.

And it said the figuresprovide strong evidence ofnew innovation, privatesector investment and newp r i v a t e s e c t o r j o b sthroughout the region –balancing the difficultnews of jobs at risk in thepublic sector.

S ince January, theresearch shows that 6,453private sector jobs havebeen created in the regionwhile new investment bythe private sector totalled£717.84m.

Key investment includesthe planned creation of

900 jobs in Huddersfieldas part of a planned120,000sq ft expansion ofthe Kingsgate ShoppingCentre and the develop-ment of a mult ip lex

cinema in Beverley as partof a £120m re-develop-ment scheme in the area.

S t e p h e n N e w m a n ,senior partner at BaxterCaulfield, said: “Despitethe miserable news on theeconomy being broadcaston an almost daily basis, itis not all doom and gloomout there.

“As a business ownerand as someone who carespassionately about theYorkshire region, I ampleased that, in this yearalone, hundreds of jobs arebeing created, millions ofpounds of investment hasbeen promised and hun-dreds of thousands ofpounds of contracts havebeen negotiated.

“While businesses can-not afford to rest on theirlaurels in what is a verytough economic climate,our assessment of theregional economy provesthat there is cause for cau-tious optimism for theregion as a whole.”

■ PLEASED: StephenNewman, senior partnerat Baxter Caulfield

■ ADVICE: Denby Dale-based JoHaigh, of fds Corporate Finance

A SCHEME offering start-uploans of up to £2,500 to youngentrepreneurs has beenlaunched.The Forum of PrivateBusiness has teamed up withthe Government to set up theproject aimed at 18-24 yearolds who can put together acredible business plan.Those firms that thrive willpay back the loan at“peppercorn” rates.The Forum, a not-for-profitsmall business support group,will offer successfulapplicants free access to itsonline Credit Control Guideand discounted membershipas part of the project, which isthe latest attempt by theGovernment to encouragemore people to start up in

business – the sector onwhich it is pinning hopes ofeconomic recovery.Forum senior policy adviserPhil McCabe said: “We thinkthis new Government initiativeis a fantastic opportunity toget the young RichardBransons and MarkZuckerbergs of the UK to havea go.”He said: “With bank lendingstill scarce, this initiative is aviable alternative forentrepreneurs who might behaving problems accessingfinance from a high streetlender.“We need to see more younggo-getters here in Britainbringing their ideas tomarket.”

Firms face pensions poserALMOST two-thirds of theUK’s small businesses havetaken no steps to enrollingtheir staff in a workplacepension scheme requiredunder new legislation, claimsa report.Research among 500 firmswith up to 49 employeesshowed that 42% had not yetthought about the newregulations for automaticallyenrolling staff in a pensionscheme. In addition, 23% saidthey were considering thescheme, but had yet to take

action.The survey by the CharteredInsurance Institute found that59% of firms knew little ornothing about the pensionreforms, which begin to takeeffect for large firms fromOctober, 2012.Six out of 10 firms employingfewer than 50 staff do notoffer their employees aworkplace pension scheme,with just 27% making aprovision for both full andpart-time staff.

Balance Accountants,Victoria Court, 91 Huddersfield Road,Holmfirth HD9 3JA Tel: 01484 685 413 Fax: 01484 682206www.balanceonline.co.uk info@balanceonline.co.uk

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Research has shown that :

1. It is 10x more expensive (in terms of time and money) to gain a newcustomer than it is to sell more to an existing customer

2.One of the reasons why customers leave is because of perceivedindifference—they just think that you don’t care about them.

However, the majority of businesses in the UK focus their marketing effortsupon gaining new customers.What about looking after your existingcustomers as well????????

Any marketing plan should focus equally as much upon existingcustomers as it does upon gaining new ones.Call your customers on aregular basis:make sure that they are happy with your services: ask if thereis anything else that you can do for them: send them newsletters,presscuttings and other articles that are relevant to your industry/market.Youjust need to keep in touch with them but you also need to systemise theprocess so that it is done on a regular basis, not just every now and then.

If you can retain your existing customers and increase the amount thatyou sell to them then your business will grow without the need to spendlarge amounts on expensive and difficult to monitor general marketing tothe public.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Airlines gear up toexpand operationsTHREE airlines are increasing theiroperations at Leeds-Bradford Airport.

Eastern Airways has taken delivery of asecond Embraer 145 regional aircraft,increasing the number of Embraer jets inits fleet to four.

The UK’s second largest regionalairline operates a fleet of 30 aircraftconsisting of a mix of jet and turbo-propaircraft.

The second Embraer 145 aircraft toenter service with Eastern Airwayscomplements the two similar looking37-seater Embraer 135 jets, which thecompany reintroduced in June, 2010.

This latest addition to the fleet will beassigned mainly to the charter flyingprogramme serving blue-chip companies,oil and gas organisations, corporations,sports teams, the music industry,delegations and individual groups flying

across the UK, Western and EasternEurope.

It follows the announcement thatleisure airline Monarch is to launch newflights from Leeds Bradford InternationalAirport this winter.

The airline will operate thrice-weeklyservices to Grenoble in France andMunich in Germany from December 12 tocover ski resorts in the French Alps,Switzerland, Bavaria and Austria. It alsoplans announce further services forsummer 2013 to cover Mediterraneanholiday resorts.

Meanwhile, Jet2.com has also unveileda new service to Grenoble from LeedsBradford – taking its total ski destinationsfrom the airport to four. Jet2.com alsooffers flights to the popular resorts ofChambery, Geneva and Salzburg.

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Divide stilla problemNINE out of 10 small firmsin Huddersfield believethere is still a North-Southdivide and major geograph-ical barriers in business,claims a new study.

From gaining governmentfunding to accessing highspeed broadband, theresearch by TalkTalk Busi-ness examined whether theNorth-South divide is aliveand well and whether tech-nology holds the key tobreaking down regional bar-riers.

SOme 89% felt there was aNorth-South divide with79% of Huddersfield smalland medium-sized enter-prises feeling that the gov-ernment provides morefunding and investment tofirms in London and theSouth East, while 56%believe companies in andaround the capital haveaccess to the most skilledpool of employees.

Only 20% of SMEs inHuddersfield would relocatetheir business to a differentregion.

Of those, 14% would optfor the South East, 15%would move abroad and23% would prefer a switch tothe Midlands.

Those working in the con-struction industry feltw o r s t - h i t b y t h eNorth-South divide, with91% of firms in the sectorclaiming it still exists.

SMEs have a more bal-

anced view when it comes tothe perceived technologydivide between firms in theNorth and South. Some38% of SMEs in Hudders-field claimed that a greatlyimproved high speed broad-band infrastructure in theUK has created a level play-ing field for firms operatingin any geographical loca-tion.

S o m e 2 4 % c l a i m i tprovides enhanced e-com-merce and sales opportunit-ies, 19% believe it enablesremote working, while 14%felt next generation techno-logy enabled their firm to bemore agile.

The development ofenterprise zones initiated as

part of last year’s budget,which included the prom-ised delivery of “super-con-nected cities”, has not easedconcerns. Some 56% of UKSMEs feel that the govern-ment’s “Broadband Britain”pledge to roll out super-fastbroadband to all communit-ies by 2015 is too late andh a m p e r i n g e c o n o m i cgrowth.

Andy Lockwood, productand marketing director atTalkTalk Business, said:“ T h e p u r p o s e o f t h eresearch was to gauge SMEsviews on perceived geo-graphical inequalities inbusiness and the role tech-nology can play in breakingdown those barriers andprovide a more equal land-scape.”

“Improved mobility offirms across the country isessential in rebuilding theBritish economy.

“We’re therefore commit-ted to providing a networkwhich powers firms of allsize and sector and ensuresUK business has access to abroadband infrastructurewhich enables it to competeand achieve sustainablegrowth.

“Following an investmentof more than £600m in to thenetwork, we are now able todeliver superfast broadbandto more than 90% of theUK, providing access to2.1m businesses nation-wide.

■ TECHNOLOGY: AndyLockwood, of TalkTalk

Fantastic franchisees getchance to win top honoursBRITAIN’S most inspiring franchisees areset for recognition in a nationalcompetition.The British Franchise Association isurging franchisors to nominate deservingfranchisees in the 2012 bfa HSBCFranchisee of The Year Awards.Now in their 23rd year, the awards offerfranchisees the opportunity to showcasetheir achievements which “set thestandard” for best practice in theindustry.Franchisors have an opportunity to putforward franchisees that demonstrate thepassion and professionalism that ispivotal to their brand’s success.This year’s awards will include gold,silver and bronze winners, as well aswinners across five regions – Londonand South East, South West and SouthWales, Midlands and North Wales, North,and Scotland and Northern Ireland.Franchisors are able to enter up to fivefranchisees for the awards, with onenomination per region.The 2011 overall winners were Mike andCatharine Chalton, of Home InsteadSenior Care in the Wirral.Nominations close on June 29. Finalisswill be invited for an interview with thejudging panel in August 2012.Winners will be announced at a galadinner held at the NEC in Birmingham, onOctober 4, 2012.The 2012 gold winner will be named bfaHSBC Franchisee of the Year and receive£5,000 from HSBC, together with acommemorative trophy.The silver and bronze winners will get£3,000 and £2,000 respectively.

The five regional winners will each receive£500.Cathryn Hayes, head of franchising atHSBC, said: “HSBC is delighted to supportthese awards, giving the opportunity toshowcase the very best franchiseesacross the country.“Despite today’s economic climate, thefranchise sector is home to some of theUK's most successful brands and there isplenty to be optimistic about.”Go to www.thebfa.org or phone 01865379892.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

INFORMEDDEVELOPMENTJason Bannister

Jason Bannister is a solicitor with Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield

CONFIDENCE in the constructionsector suffered its biggest fall fornearly two years last month –fuelling fears about the strengthof the economy.

The Markit/CIPS survey, wherea reading above 50 representsgrowth, showed overall activity inthe sector fell to 54.4 in May, from55.8 in the previous month andfurther down from March’s21-month high.

But confidence was hit by itsbiggest monthly drop since June,2010, amid a slowdown in newbusiness growth andopportunities to bid for new work.However, it did remain in positiveterritory.

Output in the sector was at itsweakest for three months, withhousebuilders only showingmarginal growth, civil engineeringprojects seeing much slowerexpansion compared with theprevious month, while commercialprojects were most resilient.

However, activity in the sectorstill showed “solid growth”, whichwill help ease some of the nervesfollowing a shocking contractionin the manufacturing sector, whichsaw the second steepest fall inthe 20-year history of the Markitsurvey.

CIPS chief executive DavidNoble said: “Reports of the UK’sreturn to recession appear to

have delivered a blow to generalconfidence in construction, withthis month’s PMI posing some bigquestions for the sector in thecoming months.’’

While the sector continued totake on more staff for the thirdmonth in a row, he added that theweakening in new orders to afour-month low meant this trendmay not be sustainable.

Howard Archer, chief Europeanand UK economist at IHS GlobalInsight, said: “This is undoubtedlya disappointing survey that raisesconcerns about the current healthof the construction sector and itsnear-term prospects at least.”

The weaker construction data

will come as a blow to hopes thatthe UK can pull quickly out of itscurrent double-dip recession.

Official data showed a nearly5% contraction in the sector in thefirst quarter of 2012, which hasbeen at odds with the Markitsurveys that have shown thesector to be much more resilient.

But because the survey stillsuggests growth, it may easesome of the pressure on the Bankof England to announce moreemergency money printing afterthe shock manufacturing figures.

The Bank’s decision isexpected to hinge on the readingfor the powerhouse servicessector.

Construction confidence slips

Warehouses win in safety linkA HUDDERSFIELD companyproviding loading bay equipment forsome of the UK’s biggest names isset to benefit from a new link-up.

Kirkburton-based Easilift LoadingSystems can now offer a totalloading bay safety and reportingsystem for all “goods in” and“goods out” operations atwarehouses and distributioncentres following a partnershipbetween technology companiesTraka and Castell.

Easilift already supplies the TrakaDock Management System, whichincorporates Traka’s patented iFobtechnology, for the prevention ofdrive-away accidents at “goods in”loading bays.

Traka has now joined forces with

Castell and created DockSafe, amulti-functional solution for “goodsout” bays.

In addition to isolating trailers forenhanced on-site safety, thesystem helps distribution centres tocontrol access, improve securityand build a full activity audit trail fortraceability and accountability

Easilift managing director RobFay said: “By integrating iFobtechnology into both ‘goods in’ and‘goods out’ operations, we canprovide warehouse managers withan unprecedented level of data ondriver activity and bay usage, aswell as increased piece of mindthanks to the prevention ofdriveaways – a common cause ofloading bay accidents.”

The Goods Out solutioncombines Traka’s iFob technologywith Castell’s Salvo Susie lock. Itmeans a vehicle must beimmobilised before the Easiliftloading dock door is opened. Oncegoods are loaded, the door must beclosed and the loading bay clear offorklifts or personnel before thevehicle can be unlocked and drivenaway.

Said Mr Fay: “This logicalsequence is simple, sequential andinescapable, streamlining theprocess in terms of safetymanagement.”

Traka boss Robert Smith saidadvances in technology made itpossible to introduce featuresimpossible even a half-decade ago.

Pressure starts to tellon landlord and tenantTHE falling property market has led to

an 18-fold increase in the number ofdisputes between landlords and tenantsbeing settled in the High Court, accord-ing to new EWF research.

Among the issues being litigated in courtare:

● Disagreements over the amount of rentduring the renewal of a commercial lease

● Claims by Landlords for disrepair ofproperties at the end of a lease

● Payment defaults on rentThe number of disputes appear directly to

correlate to the economic downturn having puttenants and landlords alike under muchgreater financial pressure and weakening land-lords' financial position considerably.

Similarly, the downturn has also adverselyimpacted tenants’ – particularly retailers –ability to meet rental payments. Given this,both the landlord and tenant are likely to wishto negotiate hard – making fewer concessionsand hence the increase in disputes.

The Diamond Jubilee, Euro 2012 footballtournament and the London Olympics mayease some pressure on retailers, but in manyparts of the country commercial landlords arefacing high vacancy rates and tenants appear

to be making greater use of statutory insolv-ency procedures to walk away from rentalobligations.

Landlords may believe that viable tenantsare making use of statutory insolvency proced-ures while tenants question the landlord’sflexibility over lease terms.

The financial demise of a tenant is anoccupational hazard for a commercial land-lord, but this is in far sharper focus at themoment. On a tenant becoming insolvent, alandlord needs to consider the options quickly.There are a number of options, some of whichare highlighted below:

● Liability of a liquidator or administratorfor ongoing rent

● Pre-pack administrations● Utilising rent deposit monies

● Enforcing lease obligations against previ-ous tenants and guarantors

● Distraining for rentOne thing is for sure. A landlord needs to

move quickly – understanding the provisionsof the lease is not enough. A landlord needs toknow the complex statutory provisions aroundenforcements during insolvency.

Keeping a dispute out of a court is often farbetter than pursuing a case which may notdeliver the result sought.

However, when finances are tight partiestend to be less willing to compromise. At thesetimes, experienced professional – and mostimportantly dispassionate – advice should besought to take the emotions out of the pro-cess.

Eddisons has theright prescriptionA CHARTERED surveyor with offices inHuddersfield has been appointed ratingagent to one of Britain’s biggestpharmacy chains.The rating team at Eddisons will provideadvice on business rates issues for theproperty portfolio of Cohens Chemist.which has 150 branches across the UK inhigh street locations and attached tohealthcare centres. The portfolio alsoincludes offices, warehouse anddistribution facilities.Branches include ones at Sheepridge,Slaithwaite, Westtown in Dewsbury andHalifax.John Hayward, head of rating atEddisons, said: “With an establishedspecialist team already advisinghealthcare providers, we look forward tousing this unrivalled knowledge todeliver significant savings for Cohens.“Since the new Rating List took affect inApril, 2010, clients are looking to us toreduce their business rates liability,particularly in the current economicclimate where all costs are beingscrutinised.”

Festival focuseson architectureA NATIONAL festival promotingarchitecture will include events inHuddersfield.The Royal Institute of British Architects’new national festival of architecture,Love Architecture, runs from Friday, June15, to Sunday, June 24, and offers thechance for everyone to get involved in ahost of activities that celebrate thearchitecture of the buildings, streets andneighbourhoods where we live.Marsden-based architect Daniel Kerr,principal of practice Superhistory, will beopening his modern home to visitorsbetween June 18 and 22 as part of thenational festival programme.Huddersfield University will also stage itsArchitecture Graduate Show from June16 to 22 at the Queen Street Studios.Go to www.lovearchitecture.org

■ SAFETY: Rob Fay, ofEastlift Loading Systems

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7

Agents namedfor city schemePROPERTY consultancies Knight Frankand Jones Lang LaSalle have beenappointed to market a landmarkbuilding in West Yorkshire.The City Exchange office developmentat Albion Street in Leeds is owned byLand Securities, the company leadingthe adjacent Trinity Leeds retail andleisure development.The seven-storey City Exchangebuilding provides 120,000sq ft of highquality office space, with 16,000sq ftcurrently available and a further47,000sq ft over the next 18 months.

Takeover set tobring big benefitsA PROPERTY agency in West Yorkshiresays it is set to benefit following atakeover of the business.Colliers International’s UK operationhas been bought by US-basedFirstService, which already owned 90%of Colliers International globally.Greg Styles, head of its Leeds office,said the takeover had recapitalised theUK business, which was now able todraw on FirstService’s financial clout.He said: “This deal has raised thecompany’s profile across Europe andwill bring undoubted benefits forColliers International’s clients inYorkshire.“Colliers International is now one ofthe top three commercial propertyagencies globally, financially secure,with an A-list client base that’s alreadyproved its loyalty to us.“This deal will bring internationalbusiness opportunities to Yorkshirefrom clients and contacts all over theworld.”Mr Styles said raising the company’sprofile would enable the company tointroduce clients to internationaltenants and investors confident in theadded security of working with a topglobal property advisory company.“We now have the global strength anddepth of Colliers International to callupon, but we have not lost sight of thefact our local market expertise is stillkey,” he said.“We remain passionate about the UKand our clients in Yorkshire.”

Kate’s back onhome ground!A HUDDERSFIELD-bornbusinesswoman has realised along-held ambition to open apermanent base in her hometown.

Kate Hardcastle, who travelsthe world singing the praises ofHuddersfield as part of herrole with business transforma-tion company Insight withPassion, has opened offices atthe town’s Media Centre.

Kate and fellow foundingpartner Richard Gomersall setup Insight with Passion towork with different businessesand give them advice, toolsand techniques to help themachieve their goals and be thebest they can be.

Starting with two bases inYorkshire and Warrington, thefirm has steadily grown since2009.

It secured its first client inAustralia last year and nowKate and Richard spend achunk of the calendar yearworking in Sydney and Mel-bourne.

Kate and Richard have beenmuch in demand with speak-ing engagements across the

globe from London to Dubai.Yet much of their work

remains on their own doorstepand in the wider UK.

Over the last seven months,Kate has been travelling fromtown to town in Yorkshire for aseries of Retail Clinics helpingembattled high streets.

She also launched the Cus-tomer at the Heart Awardswhich celebrate the best in cus-tomer service among inde-pendent retailers.

H u d d e r s f i e l d w i n n e r sinclude Med One, Cook andBakeware Company andGreenhead Café in GreenheadPark.

Kate, who last year wasvoted Outstanding BusinessWoman of the Year in theWomen in Business Awards,said the new office was part ofInsight’s plan for growth.

“I’m excited for us to startworking from our new office”,she said.

“Perhaps it’s because Insightwas born during a recession,but we understand the chal-lenges facing companies andwhile we will always work allover the globe, there’s nothinglike working with your localcommunity and seeing howyou can make a difference.”

■ MEDIA MESSAGE: KateHardcastle, co-founder ofInsight with Passion

Building societyopens new officeYORKSHIRE Building Society hasopened a new branch in West Yorkshire.The society, which has its roots inHuddersfield, has set up shop inPudsey as part of a plan to open 12 newbranches over the next two yearsfollowing the opening of 16 newagencies over the last year.The new office is the only buildingsociety outlet in the town.The Bradford-based mutual will openbranches in Ilkley and Bingley over thenext few weeks.The openings will take the total numberof Yorkshire Group branches to 227with 46 of those being located in theYorkshire region.The new openings will create 14 jobs.

www.michaelsteel.co.ukAll enquiries to Alec Michael at Michael Steel & Co

on 0113 234 8999 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Karen Wynard

Eastwood& PartnersEASTWOOD & Partners(Financial Services) hasappointed a new director.

Karen Wynard(pictured), head ofcorporate services, joinedthe firm in 2002 as anexperiencedadministrator, havinggained experience in allaspects of financialservices.

She became an independent financial adviserin 2005 dealing with a mixture of corporate andprivate clients.

Ms Wynard worked closely with the board ofthe Elland-based company to establish adedicated corporate services team and becamehead of corporate services in 2009.

Managing director Andy McCracken said:“Karen has fully earned her promotion to theboard. She makes sure that we provide anexcellent service to our corporate clients andher drive and enthusiasm have been a majorcontributor to our success in recent years.

“Her new status will help ensure that we willcontinue to improve and meet the challengesahead.”

Winning combination

HUDDERSFIELD law firm EatonSmith has confirmed a newpartnership for its long-runningBusiness of the Month Awards.

The awards, now in their 17th year,are organised by Eaton Smith inconjunction with the Lockwood-basedMid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerceto showcases the achievements ofbusinesses in Kirklees, Calderdaleand Wakefield.

The 17th annual awards event willtake place on July 6 at the Cedar

Court Hotel, Ainley Top.Eaton Smith and the chamber have

now been joined by UK Trade andIndustry, the government’s exportsupport body, which has taken overfrom Business Link as the thirdpartner in the awards.

Deborah Melluish, partner at EatonSmith, said: “I am delighted that UKTIhas joined as our event partner asthey bring an added profile and awealth of knowledge and experienceof UK business to the event.”

■ JOINING FORCES: Deborah Melluish (centre), of Eaton Smith, with KathrynShuttleworth (left), of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; and JoMcBeath, of UKTI

Panel recruitsentrepreneurA YORKSHIREentrepreneur hasjoined the policypanel of ahighly-respectedindustryorganisation whichis often consulted bygovernment on keybusiness strategy.

Margaret Wood(pictured), of ICW(UK) Ltd, will join theInstitution ofEngineering and Technology’s (IET)Manufacturing Policy Panel.

She will work alongside leading academicsand related organisations communicating,advising and helping formulate strategy andadvising government on behalf of industry andmanufacturing.

Mrs Wood was invited to join the Panelbecause of her experience in establishing thespecialist glazing company in Wakefield morethan 25 years ago and because the IET waskeen to have greater diversity on itsmanufacturing panel.

She has campaigned for industry,manufacturing, SMEs, education and the roleof women in business through hermembership and support of numerousbusiness organisations including the Instituteof Directors, networking group Forward Ladiesand the European Women’s Inventors andInnovators Network.

A key aim of all IET policy panels is tosupport industrial growth. Recent topics it hastackled have included access to finance forSMEs, Government procurement and the lowcarbon economy.

Hilary Thompson

Age UK C&KA FORMER town centre manager with KirkleesCouncil has been appointed chief executive ofAge UK Calderdale & Kirklees.

Hilary Thompson takes up her post after fiveyears as chief executive of Batley ResourceCentre, where she managed both staff andvolunteers in a charity which seeks to improvethe lives of vulnerable adults.

She worked for Kirklees Council from 2004 to2007 as towns manager for Batley andDewsbury, but prior to this spent the majority ofher career in the private sector, with variouscommercial roles in the WH Smith group.

As well as bringing a broad range ofexperience to Age UK C&K,Ms Thompson alsohas strong links with the local authority, healthbodies and other voluntary organisations inKirklees – which it is hoped will complementthe existing strong profile of the organisation inCalderdale.

Ms Thompson takes up her post inmid-August, at which point interim chiefexecutive Richard Hopkin will revert to hispart-time finance director role.

Carl’s return fixtureBUSINESSMAN Carl Hopkins(right) is making a welcomereturn to the world ofnetworking.

The star of TV’s SecretMillionaire will give a talkenticingly entitled “The SevenDeadly Sins of Selling” attomorrow’s meeting ofnetworking group BrighouseLink.

The event gets under way at 11.30am at Prego’sRestaurant, Huddersfield Road, Brighouse, andincludes an Italian meal. It is also open to anyone toattend – not just Brighouse Link members.

Earlier this year, Carl spoke at a Brighouse Linkevent about the principles and steps he takes in all ofhis businesses to improve their chances of success.

Brighouse Link, which is managed by localaccountancy firm Sleigh & Story, aims to provideadvice, training and networking opportunities for localfirms.

Razia in line fornational award

A SOLICITOR at a law firm with officesin Huddersfield and Dewsbury has beenshortlisted for a national award for herwork with victims of domestic abuse andher efforts to promote awareness of thelaw around forced marriage.

Razia Jogi, solicitor and partner atSwitalskis Solicitors, is one of three law-yers nationally in the running for the titleFamily Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year.

Her nomination was supported byclients Ms Jogi has helped as well as someof the domestic abuse support organisa-tions and barristers who have workedwith her in recent years.

Ms Jogi leads the 16-strong domesticabuse support team at Switalskis Solicit-ors, which provides advice and legalassistance across West Yorkshire.

She qualified as a solicitor in 2001 andher legal expertise in dealing withdomestic abuse situations is accreditedby the family law organisation, Resolu-tion.

Michael Kennedy, partner at Switals-kis, said: “Razia well deserves to reachthe shortlist for the Family Law LegalAid Lawyer of the Year and all at Swital-skis sincerely hope she will win the

award.“She has a thorough and comprehens-

ive knowledge of the law in her specialistarea and a huge amount of compassion,empathy and respect for the extremelyvulnerable and often very frightenedwomen she works with.

“Her commitment to her clients isoutstanding.”

Said Ms Jogi: “Victims rarely get achoice of when to flee an abusive situ-ation. Sometimes – even in the middle ofthe night – urgent legal intervention canbe necessary to keep them safe.

“We have a team of family lawyersdedicated to supporting vulnerable vic-tims and we wanted to create a line ofsupport that is always available and easyto access – both for victims themselvesand for the hardworking organisationsthat support them.”

The winner of the Family Legal AidLawyer of the Year Award will beannounced at a ceremony on Tuesday inLondon.

Ms Jogi was a finalist in the Solicitor ofthe Year category at the 2009 Law Soci-ety Excellence Awards.

■ FINALIST: Razia Jogi, solicitor andpartner at Switalskis Solicitors