Kirklees Business News 190213

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees19, Februar y, 2013

INSIDE

Full story - Page 8

Running with the bul ls ?Co lumn - Page 5

An EXAMINER publication

Start yourengine!A DESIGN and brandagency in Huddersfieldhas picked up aprestigious prize.The Engine Room,based at the MediaCentre inNorthumberland Street,won the DesignEffectiveness Award atthe 2013 DesignBusiness AssociationAwards at The Breweryin London.The Engine Room wasrecognised for theresults generated by arebrand project carriedout by the agency forHolmfirth-basedaccountants Balance.

Charitylink-upA HUDDERSFIELDcharity supportingchildren withlife-limiting conditionsis set to have its fundsboosted by a regionalhousebuilder.Persimmon HomesWest Yorkshire hasselected Forget Me NotChildrens Hospice,based at Bradley, as itsnominated charity for2013.Throughout the year,the company will helpraise vital funds for thecause through variousfundraising activities.

NICK GARTLAND

exam

iner.co.uk The

mosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

FTSE 100-10 .076318.19

STEVE SYKES

I n te r v i ew - Page 3

Full story - Page 6

Broadband roll-out will benefit the regionTELECOM company BTs multi-millionpound investment in high-speed broad-band will bring massive benefits to York-shire, it is claimed.Tom Keeney (pictured), newly-appoin-

ted regional director for BT in Yorkshire,said that by the end of this yearmore than1m homes and businesses in the regionwould have access to fibre broadband.He said: I am determined to do

everything I can to ensure the region isable to capitalise on this multi millionpound investment.Research has shown that fibre broad-

band can provide a major boost forcommunities, helping to create new busi-nesses and jobs as well as offering newdevelopment and learning opportunitiesfor local households.

MrKeeney now leads the BTYorkshireand Humber board, a team of 12 seniorexecutives based in the region.He said: BT is a major employer in

Yorkshire and the Humber, employingmore than 7,000 local people and boost-ing the areas economy by hundreds ofmillions of pounds every year.We are committed to this region. Our

supply chain head office is in Northaller-ton, we have large office spaces or contactcentres in Leeds, York andDoncaster andspend substantial amounts each yearwith local suppliers.In his 25-year BT career, Mr Keeney

has worked in a variety of roles. He takesup his new role after working as BTsdirector of workforce management sohe is committed to doing as much as he

can to generate employment, bothnationally and in the region.I am proud that I have spent much of

my time over the last few years working tocreate new roles and job opportunities inBT, he said. Even when economic timeshave been tough, we have managed tobring in new people to BT includingmany ex armed forces, graduates andapprentices.He said: As more and more people get

connected to the fibre broadband net-work, its increasingly important thatthose living in our more rural areas dontmiss out.We are very keen to work with the

public sector to help those locationsoutside our commercial roll-out of fibrebroadband.

Away fixture aimsto boost businessHUDDERSFIELD Town is set tofulfil an international fixture inChina.Town plans to lead a delegation of

local businesses and club partners toChina in April as the first majorproject of its new international devel-opment programme.It follows the announcement that

Longroyd Bridge-based Fired UpCorporation has joined the club as itsfirst international partner.The delegation will visit the city of

Zhongshan via Shanghai.Fired Up has offices and a

300,000sq ft factory close to Zhong-shan City in Guangdong province.Town has teamed up with the com-

pany to take the party of businessdelegates to the area for one week withthe aim of creating new internationalbusiness links for local businesses thatwant to expand their market.Richard Kaye, chief executive of

Fired Up, has already given his con-tacts in China a taste of what to expectfrom Huddersfield Town, presentingGovernment officials in Zhongshanwith a printed replica Town shirtadorned with the number 88, Eight isconsidered a lucky number in China.Town will use fellow club partner

Virgin Atlantic to fly the delegationfrom the UK to China and back.Sean Jarvis, the clubs commercial

director, said: This trip to Asia is a

first for Huddersfield Town and werevery excited about its prospects.Our international development

programme is underpinned by theprinciples of knowledge transfer andbusiness relationships and we hopethat we can use football as a vehicle forinternational trade.We will take a delegation with us to

China that includes club partners andthose businesses that are interested in

exploring China as a new market fortheir business.The clubs international develop-

ment manager, Ajin Abraham, said:The expertise of the Fired Up Cor-poration has been vital for us to getthis far and I would like to thankRichard and his team for their assist-ance and support.Our partnership with Fired Up

Corporation is a relatively new one,

but there is already a brilliant workingrelationship.From a commercial point of view,

our thinking is that businesses shouldlook at opportunities such as these toexplore avenues of doing business innew and emerging markets.There are international trade mis-

sions run by organisations such asUKTI among others, but we believethat the power of the HuddersfieldTown brand would instantly help opendoors for partner businesses.English football has an immense

appetite worldwide and one would besurprised at the opportunities that wecould help realise through initiativessuch as these. We know that the FiredUp Corporation would help provideinvaluable on-the-ground informa-tion for businesses joining us on thisventure.Mr Abraham said: We would still

be interested in talking to any busi-nesses that feel they could benefit fromthis visit.Huddersfield Town will also help to

deliver a new Football Developmentprogramme over eight weeks of thesummer in Nantou Town, China dur-ing the summer, teaching up to 180local youngsters how to play the Hud-dersfield Town way. Further detailswill be announced nearer the time.

MAPPED OUT: Town commercial director Sean Jarvis (left) andinternational development manager Ajin Abraham (right) with Richard Kaye,chief executive of Fired Up Corporation point out the destination of their trademission

Taste for technology

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

closed at

Local shares

FTSE

6318.19Down 10.07

closed at

MOBILE phone giant Vodafone hasteamed up with defence firm BAESystems to develop new technology toprotect businesses against cyberattacks.The companies will launch their

first product, Vodafone Threat Man-ager, within the next few weeks, usingtechnology from BAEs cyber arm toprotect against threats such as spearphishing where hackers attempt totrick employees into giving away cre-dentials.Under the five-year deal, BAEs

technology will be developed to pro-

tect against more covert and sophist-icated attacks on company data.It comes after the New York Times

and the Wall Street Journal reportedtheir computer systems had beeninfiltrated by China-based hackersand social media group Twitter said ithad been hacked earlier this month,putting customers usernames andpasswords at risk.BAE is increasingly looking to its

cyber business, BAE Systems Detica,as it suffers from cuts to Governmentdefence budgets in both the UK andUSA.

Vodafone deal with BAE

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.42 dollarsBangladesh................. 115.15 takaBrazil.............................. 2.72 realsCanada....................... 1.48 dollarsChina ............................. 8.62 yuanCzech Republic ...... 27.03 korunasDenmark....................... 8.23 kroneEuro................................ 1.11 euroHong Kong................ 11.38 dollarsHungary ................... 303.68 forintsIndia.......................... 73.89 rupeesJapan........................... 138.44 yenMexico ....................... 17.47 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.71 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.18 kronePakistan.................. 142.77 rupeesPhilippines ................. 53.79 pesosSouth Africa ................. 12.82 randSouth Korea.............. 1458.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 184.93 rupeesSweden......................... 9.35 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.36 francsTaiwan ...................... 40.07 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.59 new liraUSA ............................ 1.48 dollars

NORTHAMERICANAmerican Express 39.88Gannett 1303.17Hess Corp 43.58Microsoft 1810.60Motors Liquidation 48.48Wal-Mart Stores 44.80

AEROSPACE &DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 425 +1BAE Systems 3273/8 -11/2Rolls-Royce 1004 -5

AIMBrady Plc 97 -1/2

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2571/4

BANKSBarclays 3201/4 -1HSBC 726 -3/8Lloyds Banking Gp 545/8Ryl Scotland 3391/4 -47/8Stan Chart 17291/2 +111/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1922 -11SABMiller 317/8

CHEMICALSCroda 251/4 -1/4Elementis 98 2251/4 +1/4Johnsn Mat 227/8 -1/8

CONSTRUCTION &MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2711/2 -25/8Costain 272 +9

ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 6041/2 -41/2SSE 1409 +1ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 2423/4 -21/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 4141/8 +1/2

FIXED LINE TELECOMSERVICESBT Grp 2741/4 -11/8Cable & WirelessComm

421/4 -3/8

Colt Group 1141/2 -1KCOM 791/2 +11/8Talktalk Telecom 2563/4 +1/8

FOOD&DRUGRETAILERSMorrison W 2637/8 +23/4Sainsbury 3323/4 +13/4Tesco 367 +21/4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1815 -4Tate Lyle 7851/2 +11/2Unilever 255/8

GAS,WATER&MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3491/8 +1/4National Grid 6921/2 +101/2Pennon Grp 650 +2Severn 1605 +21United Utils 7231/2 +31/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 3001/2 -1/4ICAP 3497/8 +31/2London StockExch 1300 +12Man Group 1095/8 +2Provident Financial 1480 -10

Schroders 1955 -1Schroders NV 1549 +1

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSREXAM 4721/2 +35/8Smiths Grp 1229 -9

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 291/2 +1/2Carphone Whse 2031/4 +31/4Dixons Retail 271/2 +1/8Home Retail 1277/8 -3/8Inchcape 4897/8 +3/8Kingfisher 2713/4 -7/8M & S 3835/8 -31/2Mothercare 287 -12Next 415/8 -1/8WH Smith 697 -3HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES

Smith Nph 694 -7HOUSEHOLDGOODS

Aga Rangemaster 773/4 -11/4Barrat Dev 2303/4 -21/2Persimmon 862 -131/2Reckitt Benckiser 447/8 +1/8Taylor Wimpey 761/8 -1

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGI M I 1165 +5

INDUSTRIALMETALSFerrexpo 2821/2 -103/4

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 229 +2

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 360 -23/8

Lgl & Gen 1513/8 +1/4Old Mutual 1967/8 +1/4Prudential 952 +7Resolution 2617/8 -5/8Standard Life 3367/8 +3/4

MEDIABSkyB 8261/2 -11/2D Mail Tst 671 +21/2HIBU 3/8ITV 1201/4 +31/4Johnston Press 13 +1/4Pearson 1190 +6Reed Elsevier 6941/2 +1STV Group 130Trinity Mirror 1153/4 +11/4Utd Business 767UTV 1471/2 -11/4WPP 1039 -8

MININGAnglo American 1983 -56Antofagasta 1098 -21BHP Billiton 221/4 -1/8Eurasian NaturalRes

3901/4 -123/8

Fresnillo 1540 -10Kazakhmys 726 -201/2Lonmin 3663/4 -2Rio Tinto 371/8 -1/4VEDANTARESOURCES

1281 -17

Xstrata 11721/2 -81/2MOBILE TELECOMSERVICES

Inmarsat 660 -1Vodafone Group 1663/4 -1

NONLIFE INSURANCE

Admiral Grp 1273 +1RSA Insurance Gp 1323/8 +1/4

OIL &GAS PRODUCERSBG 11461/2 +41/2BP 445 -31/8Cairn Energy 2841/8 -27/8Royal Dutch Shell A 211/8Royal Dutch Shell B 215/8 +1/8Total 321/4 +1/8Tullow Oil 1245 -18

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1010 -16Petrofac 1618 -26Wood Gp(J) 798 -71/2

PERSONALGOODS

Burberry Gp 1355 +1PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGYAstrazeneca 291/8 -1/4GlaxoSmithK 2Shire 201/2 -1/8

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 582 +1Hamrsn 504 +163/4INTU Properties 3601/4 -7/8Land Secs 8401/2 +51/2SEGRO 255 +1

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 348 -35/8Sage Group 3321/2 -53/8

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 636 +31/2Bunzl 1208 +7Capita 830 -11/2De La Rue 9471/2 +1Electrocomp 2537/8 -13/8Experian 1083 -2G4S 2833/8 -13/8Hays 951/8 -3/4Homeserve 2325/8 -87/8Menzies J 728 -2Rentokil 891/4 -1/4Smiths News 1731/2 -1/4Wolseley 303/4

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 923 -17Spirent Comms 1681/2 +15/8

TOBACCOBr Am Tob 333/8

Imperial Tobacco 231/2 +3/8LEISURE &HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 1401/4 -23/4Carnival 245/8 -3/8Compass Grp 783 -1easyJet 9901/2 -9Enterprise Inns 104FirstGroup 1881/4 -21/2Go-Ahead Gp 1352 -23Greene King 701 -9Intercontl Htls 1989 +5Intl Cons Airl 2241/4 -33/4Ladbrokes 2211/4 -13/4Mitchells & Butlers 3395/8 +2Natl Express 205 -31/2Rank Org 1673/8 +93/8Stagecoach Group 2925/8 -43/4TUI Travel 3165/8 -23/8Whitbread 261/2 -1/4

INDEXFTSE 100 6318.19 -10.07

INDEXFTSE 250 13498.99 -59.36

Carclo 455 +13Marshalls 1073/8 -1/8National Grid 6921/2 +101/2Weir Gp 213/4 -1/8

Zombies holdingbackUKeconomy

A PERIOD of constructivedestruction holds the key to reviv-ing the UK economy, says aninsolvency expert.HuddersfieldmanPeter Sargent,

partner with rescue and recoveryspecialist Begbies Traynor, saidthat after four years of economicdoom and gloom, 2013 wasunlikely to mark any great upturnfor UK businesses.And he said a period of con-

structive destruction may beneeded to energise new growth.He said: Since 2009, the

long-awaited recovery has failed tomaterialise in any significant formand there has been much discus-sion about whether so-called zom-bie companies those only able topay the interest on their debt butnot the debt itself are to blame.These businesses have been able

to continue to trade as a result oflow interest rates and the forbear-ance of HM Revenue & Customs

and the banks which have, in manycases, adopted a more flexibleapproach and not called indebts.Mr Sargent said recent research

by insolvency body R3 found therewere now 16,000 zombie busi-nesses in Yorkshire and the NorthEast 9% of all businesses in theregion.While it may seem to be a good

thing that more businesses weresurviving, many experts claimedthat zombie businesses werechoking the economy.Such firms were just limping

along with no real prospect ofreturning to growth.While they did so, they were

damaging viable businesses bytying up precious funding andundercutting competitors.There is a valid argument that if

we see the final demise of thezombies, the resources they havebeen using can be recycled and

used more productively to stimu-late positive business expansion,said Mr Sargent..Past experience shows that it is

only after the removal of inefficientbusinesses that economic growthreally takes off.He said: This cleansing of

unviable businesses while tough,could be to the benefit of the wholeeconomy in the long run.While in past recessions, we

have seen higher levels of insolv-ency, this longer period of lowgrowth and stagnation appears tobe the new norm, with low interestrates and low company failures,but many businesses running at aloss.The economy needs a new gen-

eration to come through, a genera-tion that accepts that the currentsituation is unlikely to change inthe near future and works on thatbasis rather than planning for theday that growth returns.

Boost forlaw firmsLAW firms in Yorkshirehave reported a furtherimprovement in theirfortunes.The latest annual

profitability survey fromthe Law Society,sponsored by Lloyds TSBCommercial, shows thatpractice fee income forlegal firms rose by 3.6%in 2012 as law firmscontinued to adapt totough conditions in thelegal marketplace. Thatcompared with a 1%increase in 2011.The survey also

reveals that average netprofit per equity partnerincreased by 2% from112,549 to 114,853.Law Society president

Lucy Scott-Moncrieffsaid: There's noone-size-fits-all approachthat will help firmsemerge from therecession or adapt totough market conditionsfacing the sector, but formany law firms, a robustmanagement systemunderpins their success.Craig Bennett, senior

manager for specialistmarkets at Lloyds TSBCommercial in Yorkshire,said: This years surveyresults demonstrate onceagain the remarkableresilience of thesolicitors' profession.HEATHROW reported higher reven-

ues and profits after a record 70mpassengers used Britains biggestairport during 2012.The company, whose customer

satisfaction levels were also at anall-time high, posted an 8% rise inrevenues to 2.46bn while it wasback in the black at an underlyinglevel with profits of 46.4m.However, the airport is operating

at close to capacity and the com-pany warned this would limit theUKs ability to trade with emergingeconomies.There were 471,341 flights during

2012, just below Heathrows cap of480,000 a year.The results from the former BAA

company include Stansted Airport,which was sold after the year-end toManchester Airports Group for1.5bn.Stansteds passenger numbers

fell by 3.2% to 17.5m last year.The company predicted more

strong growth in Heathrowsturnover this year and said con-struction of the new Terminal 2should be completed towards theend of 2013, with operations com-mencing in mid-2014.

Heathrow revenues soar by 8%

RESOURCES: Peter Sargent, insolvencypractitioner at Begbies Traynor

Beer flatDANISH brewerCarlsberg said it soldless beer in the UK lastyear as the wash-outsummer offset a boostfrom Euro 2012 footballand the Diamond Jubilee.The group said UK

volumes declined 3% in2012 while overall profitswere flat at 1.1bn.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

Steve Sykes

Smart Arts

HENRYKZIENTEK

Role: DirectorAge: 47Family: Married to PennyCar: VW GolfHolidays: Road trips in theUSA and EuropeFirst job: Paper boy inShepleyBest thing about job:Wehave a great team and itsgood to work with people whoare enthusiastic about whatthey do and about deliveringgreat results for our clientsWorst thing about job:Delays caused by things out-side our controlBusiness tip: Try to focuson delivering results and dontgetting distracted by otherthings that crop up

Work: Digital marketingagencySite: HolmfirthEmployees: FourPhone: 01484 685544Email: [email protected]: www.smartarts.co.uk

Stevemakesa smartmove

ENGINEERING and technologyhave always held a fascinationfor businessman Steve Sykes.The former Shelley High

School pupil, now engaged inrunning a digital marketingagency in Holmfirth, completedan HNC in electrical andelectronic engineering atHuddersfield University someyears after leaving formaleducation. He says: Iminterested in anythingmechanical, but mainly cars andmotorbikes.But after a career in

engineering, which ranged frombeing a hands-on technician toproject managing the buildingand deployment of controlsystems for the water industry,Steve turned his attention tonew technology with thecreation of digital marketingagency Smart Arts.I set up Smart Arts with a

friend in 1999, he says. Peoplewere using internet technologymore and more and we saw theopportunity to build up abusiness providing websites forlocal businesses through ourexisting contacts, which led to us

creating websites for betterknown clients including the VirginMobile British Superbike team.I took the plunge and took

Smart Arts full-time in 2001 andworked with a network of designagencies to develop websites forthem and their clients.Steve, who hails from Shepley,

now lives in Holmfirth, but rightfrom the start of Smart Arts hemade a conscious decision notto work from home.I didnt work from home

because I like the feeling ofgoing to work and avoiding anydistractions, he says. Westarted with premises in TaylorHill and then moved toSlaithwaite. We moved toHolmfirth in 2007 all the timebuilding a team specialising indigital marketing.Now the agency has a team of

four based in offices at BridgeMills near the centre of Holmfirth.The team works for an array ofclients, ranging from a stonemerchant to a manufacturer ofpushchairs. The firm's customersrange from small localbusinesses to multi-nationals from the Middle East to the USA.

Its business-to-business andbusiness-to-consumer," saysSteve. "We also have sometraditional bricks-and-mortarretailers with very successfulwebsites.Says Steve: More and more

people have seen that digitalmarketing and promotion is theway forward.An increasing number of

people are researching andbuying online whether from adesktop or while sitting on thecouch with their tablet."We do a lot of research into

the market and tailor our offer tothe client accordingly.One of the big things we saw

happening a couple of years agowas the massive uptake inmobiles.This industry changes very

rapidly and success comes tothose agencies that keep pacewith that change.Every few months or weeks

some new tool is beingevolved.Steve acknowledges that the

pace of change is sometimesconfusing to clients, who are notalways sure what they need from

an agency such asSmart Arts.He says: For us

its all about givingthem a genuinelyrelevant service,rather thanselling. Its aboutintegrity.One of the

benefits we canbring to the client isbeing able to pulleverythingtogether. We do theresearch, collateand write thecontent, designand build the site ensuring it is fullyoptimised forsearch across allplatforms andbrowsers.But critically we

also provide an ongoing digitalmarketing offer to ensure thattraffic reaches the site, isengaged, converted and thenretained as a loyal customer.Websites need to be

interactive whether its selling aproduct or inviting a customer tosign up to something.Steve says: We are very lucky

to be working with some greatclients, big and small and wetend to keep them."We get a real buzz from

playing a part in our clients'success.In such a fast-moving industry,

planning ahead can beproblematic.Going forward, its all about

keeping an eye out for the nextbig thing," says Steve. Whatevercomes along, it is likely to involvemore applications, morefunctionality.Away from work, Steve

maintains his interest inengineering and enjoys motorsport as well as road-tripholidaying.Ive done a few road trips in

Europe and the USA and wouldlike to spend more time on theroad, he says.Steve recalls his days in

industry, saying: "I enjoyedworking in engineering,particularly going out on site tofix things. But I got interested innew technology and decided ona change of direction.The final question reveals

Steves sense of humour. Wheredid the name Smart Arts comefrom?He says: It sums up our offer

as an agency, bringing togetherthe technical and the designskills the technological and theartistic.You have to be careful how

you say it, though! Wesometimes get people chucklingwhen they phone us for the firsttime. But its all about beingmemorable.

TECHNICALLY-MINDED: Steve Sykes, managing director of Smart Arts (UK)Ltd. at Bridge Mills, Holmfirth

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KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

RISKYBUSINESSKevin Barrett

KevinBarrett is riskmanagement consultant atWilby Ltd

Looking to LatviaA HOLME Valley company is leading atrade mission to Latvia.Honley-based Alfran UK will spearhead aBritish delegation to Baltics biggestbuilding industry event, the MAJA TradeFair next month.The 27th annual event provides anopportunity to discover new businesscontacts in the region.Joanna Lavan, of Alfran UK, said: Thefair offers an insight into thedevelopments of the regions buildingindustry and is a perfect platform fordirect communication amongstprofessionals of building and connectedindustries and consumers in the Balticcountries, Eastern and Western Europe.The trip runs from March 13 to 17.Email [email protected]

Funding support foryoung entrepreneursYOUNG entrepreneurs in Kirklees have beengiven a major boost to start new businesses.The Business Enterprise Fund is to

administer a new Government-funded schemeoffering loans to 18-to-30-year-olds acrossYorkshire to help them with their fledglingcompanies.Earlier this year, it was revealed 112m will

be given nationally to the start-up loansscheme, which is being run by the Start-upLoans Company chaired by TVs DragonsDen entrepreneur James Caan.BEF will be taking care of the scheme in

North and West Yorkshire and fund directorStephen Waud said it will provide a huge helpto young entrepreneurs making their way inbusiness.People applying for the loans do not have to

be previously turned down by a bank, whilethe interest rate is low about 6% compared to other loans.Applicants will also get additional business

support from BEF and Mr Waud said there isan ambitious target of handing out 40 loans inthe next two months alone.The success of young entrepreneurs is

vitally important to the regions economy andthe future of the area as a whole, he said.We are delighted to be part of the schemeand anything we can do to assist them is abonus. These loans will be crucial in helpingbusinesses get off the ground.It can be difficult in the early days of any

business and especially for young peopletrying to secure funds. This scheme will takesome of the pain out of the process and mustbe seen by young entrepreneurs as a golden

opportunity.Nationally, it is expected the 112m will be

allocated by April, 2015, meaning about45,000 entrepreneurs will have taken up theloans.To find out more about the scheme, go to

www.befund.org, call 0845 2003919 or [email protected]

TARGET: Stephen Waud, BEF funddirector

Heres one trip youdont want to makeSLIPS and trips are the most commonof workplace hazards making upmore than a third of all major injuriesand over half of reported incidents tomembers of the public.More than 10,000 employees suffered seri-

ous injury because of a slip or trip last year.This can consequently be very costly for

companies who have to pay out large sums incompensation.However, many effective solutions are avail-

able and are generally cost-effective andsimple to implement.All employers should assess andmanage the

risk of workplace slips.Most slips occur in wetor contaminated conditions andmost trips arejust due to poor housekeeping.The solutions are often simple and

cost-effective. A suitable assessment of therisks should identify the necessary controlsand these should include: prevention of contamination management of spillages and cleaning

regimes effective matting systems choice of suitable footwear design of workplace and work activities maintenance of plant and the work

environment

specification of appropriate flooring housekeeping effective training and supervisionSlip and trip accidents can happen for a

number of reasons, but all too frequently wejump to conclusions about why they happenrather than really looking for the true cause orwe decide that it is just one of those things anddo nothing.Research by the Health and Safety Execut-

ive has established that all of the following cancontribute to the risk of slipping: flooring i.e. the type of surface, its

roughness contamination e.g. the presence of oil, fat,

water etc cleaning e.g. the method of cleaning,

whether the manufacturer's recommendationshave been followed

footwear i.e. the type of shoes worn, thematerial from which the sole is made etc people and movement e.g. whether they

are walking or runningIt may not be possible to control or influ-

ence each of these and they will differ depend-ing on the industry.For example a shop ownerwill not be able to

dictate what footwear is worn, but shouldarrange for the clean up of spillages promptlyand try to ensure that customers walk ratherthan run.Similarly, many of those in control of prop-

erty will not have the opportunity to specifywhat flooring is installed, but can try tominimise contamination and ensure thatcleaning procedures are efficient and suitablyfrequent to reduce the risk of slipping.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

NickGartland, Senior Financial PlanningDirector, InvestecWealth& Investment

CITYTALKNick Gartland

Quality and value keyEQUITY markets hit multi-yearhighs at the end of lastmonth based partially onsmall improvements in themajority of global economicindicators and more substan-tially on a general feeling ofconfidence in the future by themarket.From the beginning of the year, it

has seemed that the equity bull mar-ket which began in March, 2009, isnot only alive and kicking, but pick-ing up speed.However, we have always felt that

there will be interruptions along theway, which is why the pause at thebeginning of February has come asno surprise.With Italian elections quickly clos-

ing in on us, it is inevitable that therewill be volatility in the markets assentiment to each of the candidatesrhetoric swings.Looking to the future, there may

well be further bumps in the road dueto theGerman elections or Cyprus orthe re-emergence of the Fiscal Cliffor another banking crisis to namebut a few.The big test to see whether this bull

market has further legs will bewhether these setbacks are seen as abuying opportunity, a way for inter-national investors to increase theirunderweight exposure to equities, toshow that they will treat these issueson its own merit rather than a threatto the entire system, or not.However economic matters closer

to home have been more stable thanthe equity markets as neither theBank of England nor the EuropeanCentral Bank saw fit to change mon-etary policy last week.Both continued to act in the man-

ner the bondmarkets favour, with theBoE reinvesting gilt redemption pro-ceeds to postpone any debate aboutthe potential unwinding of Quantit-

ative Easing, and Mario Draghihighlighting the strength of the euroas potentially unhelpful to this yearsgrowth prospects (the implicationbeing that the ECB is willing to dosomething about this).Our opinions are in line with this

as we feel that while the rising appet-ite for productive (equity) rather thandefensive (bond) investment acrossthe world is welcome, it is crucial thatthis is not at the expense of muchhigher bond yields.

Corporate activity has picked up inthe past week, with high profile bidsfor bothDell andVirginMedia. Bothare very large and very interestingdeals.We remain hopeful that this is the

beginning of an awful lot more cor-porate activity over the comingmonths as institutions that have cashto spend look to put it to good use.This may or may or not be directly

beneficial to the stock market,depending on the type of activity, but

it would be another positive indic-ator for those international investorsparticipating in current equity buy-ing.All of the above leads to a broadly

positive outlook for stock markets,with the key for investors being howto navigate around these short tomedium-term issues.Our view is that equity should still

be concentrated in quality and value,not in the speculative.To us this means buying compan-

ies where we have confidence in sus-tainable long-term earnings, wherebalance sheets are strong anddividends are well covered and grow-ing.It is when the temptation to be

greedy becomes near irresistible thatwe shall change our stance and turnaway from equities, but we feel thatsuch a time should be a long wayaway yet.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

Housebuilder in hospice link-upA HUDDERSFIELD charity supporting childrenwith life-limiting conditions is set to have itsfunds boosted by a regional housebuilder.Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire has

selected Forget Me Not Childrens Hospice as itsnominated charity for 2013.Throughout the year, the company will help

raise vital funds for the cause through variousfundraising activities.The hospice was launched 12 years ago by a

mother whose son required hospice care. LastOctober, a hospice-at-home service waslaunched to support children and families.Wayne Gradwell, managing director of

Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: Wewere delighted that Forget Me Not ChildrensHospice represented our region as a finalist inthe Persimmon Homes national competition towin a 250,000 home last year.The charity scooped a 6,000 runners-up

prize and we wanted to continue our relationshipwith them and show our support for the crucialwork they do.The charity has now opened the doors to its

brand new purpose-built childrens hospice,Russell House at Bradley, which will welcomechildren from across the West Yorkshire region.Kate Goldring, the charitys fundraising

manager, said: We are delighted with thegenerosity and ongoing support shown by theemployees of Persimmon Homes WestYorkshire.When we took part in the competition last

year we were overwhelmed by the level ofsupport we received from local people,businesses, clubs and groups. It enabled us toraise our profile which we feel will certainlybenefit us in the long run.The families we care for are ordinary people

dealing with extraordinarily difficultcircumstances. All of the children we help will

have conditions which will, sadly, significantlyshorten their lives. However, we may supportchildren and their families for many years,possibly until the child is a teenager or even a

young adult.Mr Gradwell added: Forget Me Not Childrens

Hospice is an excellent cause and one we areextremely proud to be associated with.

BACKING: Kate Goldring, fundraising manager for the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice, andSimon Whalley, sales manager for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire

HS2 seminarsets the sceneBUSINESSES and propertyowners will hear more about thepreferred routes for the secondphase of the Governmentsplanned high-speed rail link at aseminar next week.Accountancy firm GrantThornton and internationalproperty adviser BNP ParibasReal Estate are to stage the eventat 12.30pm on Wednesday atGrant Thorntons offices at No 1Whitehall Riverside in Leeds.The Government has agreed aY-shaped route for HS2 north ofBirmingham with one armgoing to Leeds via SheffieldMeadowhall and Toton, nearNottingham, and the other goingto Manchester via Crewe andManchester Airport.The seminar will provideguidance and advice about howto respond to the forthcomingconsultations and how to protectinterests in the shadow of anyimpending compulsory purchaseof land earmarked for the route.The speakers will be ChrisSelway, head of compulsorypurchase at BNP Paribas RealEstate; Iain Johnston, partnerand head of planning for law firmBrabners Chaffe Street; andAlison Ewing, associate directorin forensic accounting at GrantThornton. Contact DawnLockwood on 0113 200 21721 [email protected]

LAND

OFFICES

INDUSTRIAL

INVESTMENT

RETAIL

T. 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

4 RANGE LANEHalifax, HX3 6DLFORMER HOSTEL PREMISES395m2 (4,250ft2)Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Vacant possession Suitable for refurbishment foralternative occupational residentialuses or possible completeredevelopment, subject toplanning consent

industrial

offices

retail

investment

land

LYNDHURST ROAD,HUDDERSFIELD,

HD3 3HZ180,000

174.78sqm (1,881 sqft)

Freehold with vacant possession

Suitable for a variety of

purposes including residential

development subject to planning

substantial detached property

MARK STREET,HUDDERSFIELD,

HD1 4ST18,000 p/a

448.72 sqm [4,830 sqft]

Double Loading Doors

3 Phase Electricity and Gas

Supply

Good Office Content

single storey former garage premises

DEWSBURY ROAD,BRIGHOUSE,HD6 3QB

from 12,500 p/a

2,700ft to 5,427ft

Prominent roadside location

Excellent yard space

Close proximity to Junctions

24 and 25 of the M62 motorway

single storey industrial units

LUCK LANE,HUDDERSFIELD,

HD1 4RB15,000 p/a

Site approx 1,045sqm

(1,250 sqyds)

Workshop 132.85sqm

(1,430 sqft)

Range of lock up garages

Prominent Corner site

car sales pitch

CROSS CHURCHSTREET,

HUDDERSFIELD,HD1 2PT10,500 p/a

34.65sqm (373 sqft) Basement Storage 49.70sqm

(535 sqft)

Secondary retail position

Close to the Kingsgate

Shopping Centre

Good display frontage

retail premises

HALF MOON STREET,HUDDERSFIELD,

HD1 2JF13,500 p/a

88.66 sqm [954 sqft]

Attractive lease terms

With ancillary accommodation

Good secondary location

Close to bus station and

multi-storey car park

double fronted retail

Energy issuestop the agendaCUTTING carbon emissionsand energy costs will be at thetop of the agenda for smalland medium-sized firms thisyear, says an Elland-basedenergy consultancy.Orchard Energy, which

works with a wide range ofSMEs and more than 1,300large public and private sectororganisations on energy effi-ciency planning and environ-mental performance, said itexpected energy and carbonsolutions work to contributesignificantly to its growth in2013.Rising fuel prices and

legislation mean inefficientenergy usage is having a realimpact on overheads, saidmanaging director GarethHenderson (pictured).Businesses want to know

where their organisation isconsuming most energy andhow they can change beha-viour or introduce technologyto improve matters.Among recent contracts,

Orchard Energy has carried

out efficiency work for KingsScience Academy in Bradford,Hydes Brewery and propertyand regeneration specialist StModwen.The firm, which also has

offices in Glasgow, Cardiff,Newcastle and Bristol, hasalso been commissioned toinstall new metering connec-tions for Dobbies garden

centres, theUK stores ofHud-ders f i e ld-based nurseryproducts firm Mamas andPapas and British Flursparsnetwork of mines.Clients also include LF

Europe, BEL Valves and BRB(Residuary) Ltd.Mr Henderson predicted

that 2013 would be the yearwhen efficiency planningbecame the norm for busi-nesses of all sizes.After years of confusion,

everything finally seems tohave fallen into place for theUKs green energy strategy,he said Issues over feed-intariff incentives have beenlargely resolved, the Govern-ment has clarified its positionon legislation such as the Car-bon Reduction Commitmentand we also have the newEnergy Bill.Global energy markets

look set to remain volatile, butat least we can expect somelong awaited stability when itcomes to green energypolicies.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

High Street Huddersfield

Large centrally located showroom/retailpremises close to bus station. Could suitalternative use such as restaurant (STP)

359 m2 (3,862 sq ft)

Retail

TO LET Immediately available for occupation

www.michaelsteel.co.ukAll enquiries to Alec Michael at Michael Steel & Coon 0113 234 8999 or email [email protected]

Industrial

TO LET

Crown GreenWarehouse,Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe

Good quality modern industrial unit withoffices and large self contained yard areaon main Huddersfield Road

1,250 m2 (13,456 sq ft)

TO LET immediately available

Commercial

FOR SALE

The Commercial Inn, 43 ChurchStreet, Paddock , Huddersfield

Highly prominent public house withalternative use potential (STP)

287m2 (3,091 sq ft) gross

undER

OFFER

Tuesday19March20137pmatCedarCourtHotel, LindleyMoorRoad,AinleyTop,Huddersfield,HD33RH

Lot 1

Lot 2

Lot 3

Lot 4

Lot 5

Lot 6

Lot 7

Lot 8

Lot 9

Lot 10

72 JackroydLaneNewsome,Hudderseld,HD46RD1 Stonecottage1 Renovationproject1 Elevatedsemi ruralpositionGuide:25,000+

5.82AcresMeadowLandHalifaxRoad/SwalesMoorRoad,Queensbury,BD132NN1 The landcomprises2eldsofmeadowlandextending to 5.82Acres (2.35Hectares)

Guide:30,00045,000

9.75AcresMeadowLandEastofSwalesMoorRoad,Queensbury,BD132NN1 The landcomprisesmeadowlandandwoodlandextending to 9.75Acres (4.82Hectares)

Guide:45,00070,000

FormerPublicConvenienceChurchStreet, Slaithwaite,Hudderseld,HD75AS1 Potential for retail orofceuse1 Lapsedplanningconsent forA1retail

1 Close to towncentre1 OverlookingcanalGuidePrice:1500+

DeanBottomWorksStorthesHall Lane,Kirkburton,Hudderseld,HD80PP1 8,406sq ftplus secureyard1 Goodfrontagewith parking1 Sitearea0.34Hectares (0.84Acres)1 Investment/development/breakupopportunity

Guide:180,000+

FormerCouncilOfces,DayCentre&Residential FacilityTheGrange,Ossett Lane,Chickenley,Dewsbury,WF128LY1 PP fordemolitionand20newats1 ProminentCornerSite0.61Acres1 6,878sq ft (639.28m2) buildingon3oors

1 Buildingsuitable foravarietyofusesSTPP

Guide:200,000+

LandandBuildingsatCatherineSlackFarmHalifaxRoad,Queensbury,BD132NN1 Residential redevelopmentopportunity1 Potential for4/5dwellings1 Quietbackwater location1 BackingontoGreenbeltGuide:175,000225,000

11.8AcresPasture LandHalifaxRoad,Queensbury,BD132NN1 The landcomprises10eldsofpasturelandextending to11.8Acres (4.82Hectares) frontingandaccessed fromHalifaxRoad

Guide:60,00080,000

ScotlandFarmJackBridge,Colden,HebdenBridge,HX77HR1 5bedroomcharacter farmhouse1 Numerousperiod features1 Set in12.6Acres (5.11Hectares)ofgrazingandwoodland

1 Panoramic rural location1 GIAareac.3750sq ft (348m2)1 DoublegarageandstableblockGuide:400,000425,000

2SpinneyeldFixby,Hudderseld,HD22HX1 4bedroomperiod residence1 Grade II Listed1 Numerousornate features1 Requiringcomprehensive renovation1 Secludedbackwater location1 0.369AcreplotGuide:175,000200,000

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

KathMyers

BarclaysBARCLAYS has appointedKath Myers as networkregional director forYorkshire and the NorthEast.Ms Myers (pictured), who

previously worked forClydesdale Yorkshire Bank,is well-known and respectedin the Yorkshire and NorthEast professional marketand comes with a wealth ofexperience at regional and divisional level.Her responsibilities will include leading the

branch network of 197 branches and morethan 1,500 staff from Lincolnshire to Berwickand including its branches in Kirklees.Ms Myers is married to Steve with two

children, Anya and Mitchell. Her interestsinclude running, all activities involving thechildren and family life, which include ballet,tap, swimming, rugby and walking the familydog, a young spaniel called Jess.

Rachel Dickie

Mid YorkshireChamberTHE Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commercehas appointed Rachel Dickie as membership,events and marketing assistant.Ms Dickie, who recently graduated from

Sheffield Hallam University, has beenemployed by the Lockwood-based chamber tohelp grow and sustain membership in theKirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield areas.Based at the Westgate office in Wakefield,

she provides the main contact for members.She said: After over a year of job searching

I'm thrilled to have landed the position with thechamber and look forward to meeting lots ofnew people across the whole Mid Yorkshireregion.

Focus on financeHUDDERSFIELD University has engaged a localindependent financial advice firm to provide advice onits investments.The university consulted a number of national

financial organisations before appointing RobertsonBaxter, based at Shelley.Andrew McConnell (pictured above, left), director of

finance at the university, said: We have already foundthat Robertson Baxter has been able to engage withour investment management firms in a manner thatsimply has not been possible for us to do previously.Not only that, but the robust and thorough due

diligence process that they have undertaken for ushas provided a valuable layer of independentassessment and allowed us to appoint an additionalinvestment management firm with absoluteconfidence.Greg Robertson (also pictured), director and

co-founder of Robertson Baxter, said: We areextremely proud to be working with the University ofHuddersfield. We share many common values interms of value for money and pursuit of excellence.

New jobs in storeSHOPPERS queued around the blockto get into a new charity store inDewsbury.The Sue Ryder shop, which has

more than 5,000sq ft of floorspace,was officially opened by Dewsbury MPSimon Reevell.Proceeds from the shop which

stocks second hand clothing andaccessories as well as a wide range ofquality new goods, including artequipment, guitars and dolls houses -goes to help Sue Ryder continue toprovide hospice and long-term care topeople living with conditions such ascancer and respiratory, cardiac or renaldiseases.The store, which hopes to raise

100,000 in its first year, will eventuallyemploy seven full-time staff andprovide work placements for a furthersix people on work programmes. It isalso hoping to recruit up to 30volunteers.Said Mr Reevell: This is a great

example of the retail industry andcharity working together for the benefitof the community.

If the store reaches its first yeartarget, it will be a fantastic contributionfrom the people of Dewsbury to areally worthwhile cause and I wouldencourage people to consider gettinginvolved, either by giving their time ordonating any items that they canspare.Sue Ryder retail business manager

Glynn Taylor said: Its been absolutelybrilliant and Id like to thank shoppersfor their interest and generosity.Glynn said: I am absolutely

delighted that the people of Dewsburyhave given us such a brilliant start. Itsbeen hard work, but worth it.By pledging to support us through

volunteering, people can not only helpus raise vital funds but also gainexperience to put on their CV. And, ifpeople dont have any spare time tocommit to volunteering, they cansupport us by donating items, such asgood quality clothing, books andbric-a-brac.Call 01924 430585.

Jo speaking up the 2%DENBY DALE-basedbusinesswoman Jo Haigh took tothe stage as guest speaker atthe annual Two Percent Clubgala dinner.Jo (pictured, right), a partner

at Wakefield-based fdsCorporate Finance, said: TheTwo Percent Club bringstogether senior women topromote, advocate and moreimportantly work together to

solve the issue of theunder-representation of womenin senior positions at the top ofcorporate UK. The Two PercentClub think its a problem thattheres an under-representationof women at the top of corporateUK and have come together asthe current top 2% of femalebusiness talent to do somethingabout it.Jo addressed an audience of

some of the UKs most influentialand connected men and women drawing on her vast businessand financial experience todiscuss the need to remainprofessionally, personally andeconomically resilient.The award-winning

entrepreneur set up fds in 1989,and has more than 20 yearsexperience in corporategovernance.

TAPED: Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell (left)with (from left) Sue Ryder shop manager ZazStephenson, area retail manager Glynn Taylorand fundraising regional manager DonnaWoodman

Roomservice!A DESIGN and brand agency in Hudders-field has picked up a prestigious prize.The Engine Room, based at the Media

Centre in Northumberland Street, won theDesign Effectiveness Award at the 2013Design Business Association Awards, hos-ted by BBC business correspondent SimonJack, at The Brewery in London.Hard-earned trophies ranging from

bronze, silver and gold were awarded foroutstanding examples of effective design.The Engine Room was recognised for the

results generated by a rebrand project forHolmfirth-based accountants Balance.The award-winning rebrand project

gained a profitability growth of 500% aswell as 50,000 of new business for theaccountancy firm in the first year followingthe rebrand.Ashley Barrowclough, of Balance, said:

The team at The Engine Room have reallyachieved something special and should beproud.I think that what we did with the

Balance rebrand was even more of anachievement when you consider that manyof the companies at the awards havemassiveresources to plough into branding andmarketing and yet the Balance brand standsproudly alongside them all.The Engine Room was one of only three

design agencies from Yorkshire to be recog-nised. Other shortlisted winners includedprojects for brands such as Adidas, TheDaily Mail and Cadbury Kraft Foods.The silver trophy is the first DEA award

to be won by an agency in Huddersfield.

Darren Evans, creative director at TheEngine Room, said: We believe that gooddesign and good business go hand-in-handand the Balance project is a primeexample.To be recognised by one of the most

prestigious design associations in the UKjust echoes that fact right back to us.Were very proud of this award and hope

to continue to generate similar success forour all clients in the future.

WINNING TEAMS: Pictured after receiving their trophy which splits into two halves are (from left) Malcolm Jacobs , Richard Simpson and Sharon Munt, of BalanceAccountants; Design Council associate Ellis Pitt; Nikki Taylor, of The Engine Room;Ashley Barrowclough, of Balance; Helen Greenwood, of The Engine Room; DarrenEvans, Mark Edwards and Leo Parker, of The Engine Room