KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWS paper for Kirklees 25, May, 2010 INSIDE examiner.co.uk ● Full story - Page 4 ● Full story - Page 8 The most trusted news brand in the business HELEN THEWLIS JANICE HUTTON Lawyer on the family beat Full interview - Page 3 Firm in the good books Story - Page 5 FTSE 100 +6.68 5069.61 An EXAMINER publication Scope widens A TOOL supplier is taking its first steps trading outside Kirklees. Rapid Hire Centres, which has shops in Honley, Elland and at Leeds Road in Huddersfield, has teamed up with Lockwood-based internet specialists ICUK, to create a new online shop for building professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Miami, nice! AN architect hailing from Huddersfield and working in the New York has been given the task of organising a major event – the annual meeting of the Royal Institute of British Architects USA at Miami Beach, Florida. Getting their teeth into £8m scheme A FAMILY-OWNED construction services firm has taken a bigger bite of business. Illingworth & Gregory, based at Milnsbridge, has completed its largest-ever contract – an £8m deal to install entirely new facilities for the dental depart- ment at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, based at Leeds University. The 72-week project was carried out in four phases and included demolishing the existing dental facilit- ies and fitting new walls, partitions, reception coun- ters, medical facilities and dental cubicles – including more than 90 dental chair positions. The work, which was carried out in four phases with minimum disruption to staff and students, also included full electrical and mechanical installation and providing new floor coverings, suspended ceil- ings, decorations, doors, blinds, curtain tracks wall and door protection throughout. The company won the contract in competition with multi-national construction companies after a lengthy tendering process, which included complet- ing pre-qualifying questionnaires, interviews and presentations to the clients. Illingworth & Gregory was founded in 1972 by John Illingworth and David Gregory as joinery contractors involved in areas such as supplying doors and windows and fitting out shops and pubs. John Illingworth bought out David Gregory in 1993, taking the firm into the ownership of the Illingworth family. While John retains a consultancy role as chief executive – and his wife Diane also remains involved – the day-to-day running of the business is now in the hands of sons James and Jez. James, who has a degree in commercial manage- ment and quantity surveying, joined the company after working for a major multi-national con- tractor. Jez, a former professional footballer with Hud- dersfield Town, joined after gaining a degree in international management. The company, which has grown to employ 51 people, has diversified over the years and now tackles building, refurbishment, bespoke joinery, design and build projects and minor projects. Major projects have included work to refurbish a street of council houses in Grimsby, building a school for the Wakefield diocese, refitting the library at Sheffield Hallam University and carrying out refurbishment and extensions at Almondbury Meth- odist Church. Another major scheme was to undertake refur- bishment work at the Yorkshire Museum and the Castle Museum in York, which included the careful transfer of artefacts. Said James: “The company is continually diversi- fying in terms of the work we do and the clients we do it for. “When I joined in 1993 most of the work was for pubs and nightclubs. Now we still operate in the leisure sector, but we also work for schools, hospitals, churches and local authorities.” Jez added: “We still undertake joinery manufac- turing providing items like bars, doors, counters and reception areas. “Some of our joinery work ends up abroad, particularly in Singapore and the Far East. “But we are increasingly finding ourselves ranked alongside major contractors on tender lists and we can tackle any size of contract from £10,000 to several million pounds.” The directors said Illingworth & Gregory had weathered the recession thanks to its involvement with long-term projects “topped up” by smaller contracts – and its policy of re-investing in the business. However, they said the firm was braced for an expected cut in public sector spending. “A lot of out competitors have gone,” said James. “That means we have got a bigger market share. However, others are coming into our sector. “We are being approached by clients because we have experience and a track record of projects.” Illingworth & Gregory has also undergone a rebranding to refresh its logo and focus on its ethos as a family firm able to tackle large-scale projects. ■ BUILDING PLAN: Jez Illingworth (above, left) with brother James Illingworth, of Illingworth and Gregory. Dental booths (above, right) installed by the Milnsbridge-based firm at Leeds University
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees25, May, 2010
INSIDE
exam
iner
.co.
uk
● Full story - Page 4
● Full story - Page 8
Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness
HELEN THEWLIS JANICE HUTTONLawyer on the family beat
Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3F i rm in the good books
Stor y - Page 5
FTSE 100+6.68
5069.61An EXAMINER publication
ScopewidensA TOOL supplier istaking its first stepstrading outsideKirklees.Rapid Hire Centres,which has shops inHonley, Elland and atLeeds Road inHuddersfield, hasteamed up withLockwood-basedinternet specialistsICUK, to create a newonline shop for buildingprofessionals and DIYenthusiasts.
Miami,nice!AN architect hailingfrom Huddersfield andworking in the NewYork has been giventhe task of organising amajor event – theannual meeting of theRoyal Institute ofBritish Architects USAat Miami Beach,Florida.
Getting their teethinto £8m schemeA FAMILY-OWNED construction services firm hastaken a bigger bite of business.
Illingworth & Gregory, based at Milnsbridge, hascompleted its largest-ever contract – an £8m deal toinstall entirely new facilities for the dental depart-ment at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, based at LeedsUniversity.
The 72-week project was carried out in four phasesand included demolishing the existing dental facilit-ies and fitting new walls, partitions, reception coun-ters, medical facilities and dental cubicles – includingmore than 90 dental chair positions.
The work, which was carried out in four phaseswith minimum disruption to staff and students, alsoincluded full electrical and mechanical installationand providing new floor coverings, suspended ceil-ings, decorations, doors, blinds, curtain tracks walland door protection throughout.
The company won the contract in competitionwith multi-national construction companies after alengthy tendering process, which included complet-ing pre-qualifying questionnaires, interviews andpresentations to the clients.
Illingworth & Gregory was founded in 1972 byJohn Illingworth and David Gregory as joinerycontractors involved in areas such as supplyingdoors and windows and fitting out shops andpubs.
John Illingworth bought out David Gregory in1993, taking the firm into the ownership of theIllingworth family.
While John retains a consultancy role as chiefexecutive – and his wife Diane also remains involved– the day-to-day running of the business is now in thehands of sons James and Jez.
James, who has a degree in commercial manage-ment and quantity surveying, joined the companyafter working for a major multi-national con-tractor.
Jez, a former professional footballer with Hud-dersfield Town, joined after gaining a degree ininternational management.
The company, which has grown to employ 51people, has diversified over the years and now tacklesbuilding, refurbishment, bespoke joinery, design andbuild projects and minor projects.
Major projects have included work to refurbish astreet of council houses in Grimsby, building aschool for the Wakefield diocese, refitting the libraryat Sheffield Hallam University and carrying outrefurbishment and extensions at Almondbury Meth-odist Church.
Another major scheme was to undertake refur-bishment work at the Yorkshire Museum and theCastle Museum in York, which included the carefultransfer of artefacts.
Said James: “The company is continually diversi-
fying in terms of the work we do and the clients we doit for.
“When I joined in 1993 most of the work was forpubs and nightclubs. Now we still operate in theleisure sector, but we also work for schools, hospitals,churches and local authorities.”
Jez added: “We still undertake joinery manufac-turing providing items like bars, doors, counters andreception areas.
“Some of our joinery work ends up abroad,particularly in Singapore and the Far East.
“But we are increasingly finding ourselves rankedalongside major contractors on tender lists and wecan tackle any size of contract from £10,000 toseveral million pounds.”
The directors said Illingworth & Gregory hadweathered the recession thanks to its involvementwith long-term projects “topped up” by smallercontracts – and its policy of re-investing in thebusiness.
However, they said the firm was braced for anexpected cut in public sector spending.
“A lot of out competitors have gone,” said James.“That means we have got a bigger market share.However, others are coming into our sector.
“We are being approached by clients because wehave experience and a track record of projects.”
Illingworth & Gregory has also undergone arebranding to refresh its logo and focus on its ethosas a family firm able to tackle large-scale projects.
■ BUILDING PLAN: Jez Illingworth (above, left)with brother James Illingworth, of Illingworth andGregory. Dental booths (above, right) installed bythe Milnsbridge-based firm at Leeds University
Preparing for expansionPAW N B RO K I N G b u s i n e s sAlbemarle & Bond announced astring of frontline appointments as itprepares its management team forexpansion.
The group has taken on five newmanagers to help lead a push to takeadvantage of a revival in demand onthe back of soaring gold prices.
Albemarle said the business contin-ued to perform well in the second halfof its financial year so far, with thepledge book in its core pawnbrokingarm – accounting for 60% of profits –s e e i n g a b o u t 1 0 % g r o w t hyear-on-year.
It is opening a swathe of new stores
under its Cheque and Pawn and Her-bert Brown brands to capitalise on thesurge in pawnbroking trade. Fifteenstores will open in the first half of thisyear with another 25 during the nwfinancial year.
Albemarle has also completed apilot for nine temporary “pop-up”shops dedicated to purchasing gold –and said it would open a further sixafter the trials made “excellent returnsand short paybacks”.
The appointments include MikeHarrison, of the Original Factory, ashead of property, and Kevin Allfrey,formerly of Lloyds Banking Group ashead of e-commerce.
BP clean-up costsat £523m and rising
Chloride aims to power aheadPOWER protection firm and bid tar-get Chloride reported clear signs ofa recovery in its core markets.
Chloride, which has rejected a£723m unsolicited bid from USindustrial giant Emerson Electric,reported a 5% drop in underlyingpre-tax profits to £41.4m in the yearto March 31.
But the group said it had per-formed “resiliently” and gave a con-fident outlook for the year aheadafter orders for the new financialyear rose by 16% to £160m.
C h l o r i d e , w h i c h p r ov i d e sblue-chip companies with systemsto protect against power outages,firmly rebuffed the takeover pro-
posal from long-time suitor Emer-son in April. But the market iswaiting for news of its bidder’s nextmove amid expectations of a poten-tial higher offer.
The UK company was best knownfor making batteries, but has beenproviding secure power since 2000.It employs 2,300 people in 15 coun-tries, including 374 in the UK.
Chloride revealed restructuringcosts of £5.9m after tough action tocut costs during the recession –trimming head office and adminis-tration functions.
With these costs and otherone-offs taken into account, profitswere 25% lower at £29.9m.
Red tapecosts riseBRITISH businesseshave faced another£11bn in red tape andnew regulation costsover the past year,research suggests.
The latest BurdensBarometer from theBritish Chambers ofCommerce estimates thecumulative financialimpact of rules andregulations has now hit amammoth £88.3bn since1998.
The report, which iscompiled by experts fromthe London andManchester BusinessSchools, calculates therehave been 40 newregulations imposed onthe sector since 2009.
Recent rules includethe new light vehicleemission standards,which have a recurringcost to business of£1.48bn, according tothe study.
Ahead of the Queen’sSpeech today, the BCCcalled for thegovernment to take theopportunity to repealregulations where thecosts outweigh thebenefits.
David Frost, directorgeneral of the BCC, said:“The cost of dealing andcomplying with new lawsand regulations over thelast 12 years has beenfar too high.
“During this criticaltime for the economy, weneed businesses to bedriving recovery andcreating jobs. But theGovernment must playits part by putting thebrakes on the relentlessflow of red tape.”
OIL group BP said the cost ofcleaning up the massive spill inthe Gulf of Mexico had hitabout £523m so far.
BP said it was too early to puta final figure on the clean-upbill as lawsuits continued toflood in and as cash waspumped into efforts to halt theleak and minimise the environ-mental toll.
The cost has soared by £93min the past week alone.
So far, 23,000 claims havebeen filed and 9,000 have beenpaid, according to BP.
The group has made grantsto the affected states of Florida,Alabama, Louisiana and Mis-sissippi to help with theirclean-up costs.
But oil is still spilling out atan estimated rate of about5,000 barrels a day.
BP has been collecting oilfrom a mile-long siphon tube.
However, this is only captur-ing about 2,010 barrels a day onaverage.
The BP-operated DeepwaterHorizon rig exploded and sankon April 20, killing 11 workersand causing an environmentaldisaster.
The group began drilling tworelief wells earlier this month atabout 13,000ft below theseabed in an attempt to cut offthe flow of oil, but these areexpected to take three monthsto complete.
In the meantime it is looking
at plans to plug the well byinjecting special fluids to stemthe flow of oil, followed bycement to seal it.
Work is also continuing totry to disperse the huge oil slickwhich has reached the surfaceof the sea – with more than1,100 boats and recovery ves-sels being used and nearly 2.5mft of boom.
US President Barack Obamahas accused BP of a “break-down of responsibility” as heannounced a six-month invest-igation into the disaster.
BP also pledged an extra£345.2m for independentresearch into the impact of theDeepwater Horizon disaster onthe marine environment.
■ PROTEST: Members of Greenpeace hoist an “oil-stained”BP logo on the balcony at the company’s London offices
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3
HelenThewlis
RamsdensSolicitors
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Role: PartnerAge: 38Family: Marriedwith children Victoriaand WilliamHolidays:SardiniaCar: Audui Q5First job: Waitressand bar assistant atPoppa Piccolino’s inHolmfirthBest thing aboutjob: Every day is dif-ferent – and anythingcan happenWorst thingabout job: Con-stant telephone callsBusiness tip:Good time manage-ment
■ RESOLVE: Helen Thewlis isa firm believer in the merits ofcollaborative law
Familycomesfirst forHelen
WHEN Helen Thewlis firstcontemplated a career inthe law, she didn’t reckon onbeing a solicitor.
“I always wanted to jointhe police,” she says. “But Icouldn’t pass the eye test. Icried for a day when I foundout.
“I was already at lawschool by that stage, havingthought that would get methrough the police ranksmore quickly. I was thinkingmore of ‘law and order’ thanjust the law.”
Helen grew up inBrockholes and waseducated at Honley HighSchool and HuddersfieldTechnical College, whereshe gained a BTec inbusiness and finance.
She went on to LeedsUniversity, having decided tostudy law because she hadenjoyed the topic at college.She later attended theCollege of Law in York.
Helen trained with herfather’s practice of KiddMiller & Co in Holmfirthbefore its merger withRamsdens in 1999.
She did “the usual mixedbag” of law, such asconveyancing, wills andprobate.
“It gave me a goodgrounding, “ she says.“When you work for a smallteam, you have to doeverything.”
Since then, she has seena series of mergers whichhas transformed Ramsdensinto one of the biggest lawfirms in Kirklees andCalderdale with offices inHuddersfield town centre,Edgerton, Elland, Holmfirth,Slaithwaite and Halifax.
The firm now has about130 staff in total and 14partners.
The firm covers areasincluding commercialproperty and litigation,
employment law and sportslaw as well as personalinjury, residential property,wills, probate andinheritance tax planning.
Its commercial team isbased at Oakley House,Edgerton,
“We are a proactive firmand we are always looking toexpand,” says Helen, who ispartner and head of thefamily law department.
“Over the past 10 years,we have grown substantially.
“As recently as 2002, thefamily department consistedof just me! Now we have adepartment of six feeearners and their supportstaff.
“Family law has alwaysbeen my specialism.”
Helen is a “collaborativelytrained lawyer”. Collaborativelaw is a relatively newprocess whereby couplesseparating try to resolve their
difficulties as a team ratherthan as adversaries.
Helen, who is based at thefirm’s six-storey office blockin Ramsden Street, is also amember of Resolution, agroup which trains andcommits lawyers to deal withmatters in a non-controversialway.
Says Helen: “Mediationwas introduced as the way totackle disputes and on theback of that came the idea ofcollaborative law.
“Regrettably, it does notwork for every person andthere are still some verybitter, contested divorces, butyou deal with each clients theway that best suits theirneeds. What is right for oneperson will not be the best forsomeone else.
“Here, in Huddersfield, wehave quite a few trainedcollaborative lawyers.
“That makes it easier todeal with cases in a town likeHuddersfield than it would bein a city like Leeds wherethere are a lot more lawyersand a lot more competition.
“Here, we want to try toresolve matters as amicablyand reasonably as possible.”
Says Helen: “Huddersfieldhas a good, tight-knitbusiness community. There ishuman contact.
“I was never tempted to goto a city firm. I experiencedcity life when I was atuniversity and at law school.
“I don’t want to be stuck onthe M62 commuting to Leeds.We go to Leeds quite oftenenough as it is!”
Helen says: “I have beenvery fortunate in my career atRamsdens. People knoweach other. You are a namerather than a number.
“As a firm, that issomething we like to ensurethat our staff know all thepartners and that as partnerswe are very approachable.”
Helen is an activemember of the Kirkleesand CalderdaleCollaborative Law Groupand also assists the LawSociety with family lawtraining.
She also plays a part inRamsdens’ mentoringarrangements atHuddersfield University.
Helen and her children– seven-year-old Victoriaand two-year-old William– are keen fans ofHuddersfield Giants andare regulars at the club’sGalpharm Stadiumgames.
“It is a good,family-orientatedenvironment in which totake the children,” shesays.
“We are season ticket
holders and have beenfollowing them for the pastfive years or so.
“I follow HuddersfieldTown’s fortunes although Idon’t attend the matches.
“Town’s result is alwaysthe first one I look for.
“And, of course, I wasrooting for them in theplay-offs.”
Helen no longer dwellson her thwarted ambitionsto join the police.
“I love my job,” she says.“Even though I seem tospend more time at workthan I do at home. Isometimes call my officemy bedroom!”
KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4
Coalition pledges changeTHE new coalition gov-
ernment has issued“our programme for gov-ernment” which givessome detail of whatemployment law changeswould be considered inthe future.
The overall aim of the gov-ernment ’s employmentpolicy will be to “reviewemployment and workplacelaws, for employers andemployees, to ensure theymaximise flexibility for bothparties while protecting fair-ness and providing the com-petitive environment forenterprise to thrive”.
What this will result in isstill unclear, but some of thechanges that may take placeare outlined below.
Under the previous gov-ernment, there was a sus-ta ined development in“family friendly” rights,extending the scope of mater-nity and flexible workingprotection in particular. It islikely that this trend will con-tinue, with the followingpre-election ideas possible:
●Allowing parents toshare leave following thebirth of their child. The Lib-eral Democrats had pushedfor a total of 18 months of
leave “where resources andeconomic circumstancesallow”, although this seemsunlikely in the current cli-mate
● The right to request flex-ible working to be extendedto all employees. This hasbeen a consistent aim of theConservatives so the ques-tion here is likely to be“when”, rather than “if”. Ifsuch a proposal is implemen-ted, it is likely to be on aphased basis
● With regard to min-imum wage, part of the Lib-eral Democrat manifesto wasto introduce a single min-imum wage, except where theworker is an apprentice.Whilst support for the min-imum wage will be main-tained, a single rate isunlikely to be introduced.
The Equality Bill passedthrough the legislative stagesduring 2009/10, and itremains to be seen whetheror not parts of it will be
amended prior to imple-mentation. There is a pro-posal to introduce “nameblind” application forms atsome point to reduce the riskof employers discriminatingagainst prospective employ-ees, but whether there will beany further amendmentsremains to be seen.
Other changes whichcould come into effectinclude:
● Phasing out the defaultretirement age of 65 whichwas introduced in October,2006. The previous govern-ment considered increasingthe retirement age, but undercoalition plans it would bescrapped altogether
● Amending or evenrevoking the draft AgencyWorker Regulations, whichprovide equal treatment for
agency workers compared toemployees after a 12-weekqualifying period, afterfacing criticism from the newgovernment
● Alterations to theemployment tribunal system,such as increasing depositlimits and costs awards todiscourage weak or vexatiousc l a i m s, r e v i e w i n g t h eTribunal rules of procedureand requiring mediation incertain types of claims.
We should get a clearerpicture of the specif icchanges that will be pro-posed in the coming months,along with a timetable forimplementation.
Many employers will beconcerned about the contin-ued commitment to familyfriendly rights, but shouldappreciate that the aim of thenew coalition government isto try to remove a lot of theunnecessary burdens onbusinesses – primarily byrevoking some of the draftlegislation prepared by theprevious government, andmodernising the tribunal sys-tem.
Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at ChadwickLawrence Solicitors
EMPLOYER’SBRIEFNeil Wilson
Firm has tools foronline expansionA TOOL supplier is taking its first stepstrading outside Kirklees.
Rapid Hire Centres, which has shopsin Honley, Elland and at Leeds Road inHuddersfield, has teamed up withLockwood-based internet specialistsICUK, to create Rapid Tools Direct – anew online shop for construction pro-fessionals and DIY enthusiasts alike.
The new site supplies hand tools,power tools, building, hardware, DIYand safety equipment delivered safelyand securely to customers’ premiseswithout them having to leave theirhomes or businesses.
Rapid Hire Centres was formed in1996 by Kirk Stansfield and AndrewJones.
Mr Stansfield said: “People’s shop-ping habits – even in the constructionindustry and DIY sectors – are chan-ging.
“We developed Rapid Tools Directbecause we felt that the size of themarket for our core business in Kirkleeshad limitations, particularly during arecession.
“We needed to look beyond our tradi-tional market place in order to continue
growing and developing the business.Historically, we have been better
known for our ‘hire’ business in WestYorkshire, but we have always main-tained a good level of sales alongsidethis.
“As such, we identified a lot of nicheproducts within our trade and put themalongside some of the more traditionalproducts that people would expect tobuy from us in order to create RapidTools Direct.”
Howard Crosland, who has a wealthof experience in marketing for compan-ies such as Scottish & Newcastle Retailand Compass Group, has been broughtin to assist the existing team.
Said Mr Jones: “We are workingclosely with the high quality manufac-turers to ensure that our customers onlyget the best, longer lasting productsavailable – and at the right price.
“In partnership with ICUK, ouronline store has been developed over 12months and now contains thousands ofproducts to meet the needs of bothprofessionals, DIY enthusiasts andoccasional handymen.”
■ SCREEN TEST: Kirk Stansfield and Andrew Jones, founders ofRapid Hire Centres, are extending the firm’s horizons with a newonline trading site
Engineeringways to boostfood industryFOOD manufacturers in Kirkleesare being invited to join a top-levelworking group aiming to find waysof boosting engineering skills inthe industry.The National Skills Academy forFood and Drink Manufacturing, partof Yorkshire-based food and drinksector skills council Improve, wantsto bring together employers andleading specialists in engineeringtraining to look at how thedevelopment of engineering skillsin the industry can evolve to driveup productivity and profits.Justine Fosh, director of skillssolutions at Improve and theNational Skills Academy, said thatdeveloping world-class,multi-skilled engineers in the foodindustry would be vital to its futureprosperity.“As more and more technology isintroduced into food processingand manufacturing, the importanceof engineering is going toincrease,” she said.“We need a new breed of
multi-skilled engineers – possiblytrained to a higher level than hasbeen in the norm in the past – tomake sure the industry can keeppace with the rapid pace of changein that technology.She said the new group would beasked to look at where engineeringskills are most needed in the foodindustry now and in the future,identify any issues with currentprovision of training and work withtraining providers to developtraining that could be applied tosuit individual businesses acrossdifferent sectors.Said Justine: “I would encourageany employers to get in touch astheir contribution will provide avital insight into how engineeringskills can best be utilised in foodand drink businesses.”Contact Jonathan Cooper on 08456440558 or [email protected]
■ APPEAL: Justine Fosh, director ofskills solutions at Improve and theNational Skills Academy
Higher upthe tableA FIRM of highways,traffic and waterconsultancy engineersis climbing therankings.Grange Moor-basedSanderson Associateshas been ranked 23rdin the UK in the sectionfor top companies inplanning in the latestTransportationConsultants Directory.That’s an increase offour places on lastyear’s ratings when thecompany came 27th.Managing directorAlison France said: “It’sa pleasure to see thatour efforts in what hasbeen such a difficultclimate have beenrecognised. This resultis a credit to our teamof dedicated,professional andcommitted staff.”Alison said all the firmsranked aboveSanderson Associatesin the 2010 directorywere either plcs orother multi-disciplinarycompanies owned bymore than oneshareholder.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5
Positive view for tradersUK businesses trading inter-
nationally are increasinglyupbeat about future prospectsfor their business, according tothe latest HSBC CommercialBanking Trade ConfidenceIndex.
The survey shows that trade con-fidence during the first quarter of2010 has increased by a third fromthe fourth quarter of 2009.
UK importers and exporters areincreasingly confident about theglobal economy with 63% predictingit will grow in the next six months –increasing their opportunities totrade with businesses across theworld.
Some 92% of UK traders expecttheir trade volumes to stay the sameor increase over the next six months.Across the globe, trade outlooks are15% more positive in emerging mar-kets than developed markets
For UK businesses, the most pop-ular international trading partnersare Western Europe, Central Europe,Germany, the USA and Canada andGreater China. Over the next sixmonths, prospects for trade withChina are set to increase. A third ofbusinesses in the UK see Asia as themost promising region for trade.
Trade is playing a key role in theglobal economic recovery and theincreasing confidence of the UK’simporters and exporters about their
trade prospects. We believe that trad-ing internationally will help UKbusinesses beat the recession – andwith HSBC present in 75% of mar-kets where international trade takesplace, we are uniquely placed tohelp.
We believe opportunities in Asiawill continue in the coming years asthe emerging markets move frombeing seen as manufacturers to beingconsumers in their own right.
Unease over suppliers not honour-ing trade agreements has reducedover the last quarter due to strictersupervision of business (27%), thestabilisation of the global economy(14%) and the improving financialhealth of suppliers (9%). Barriers totrade still exist with UK businesseshighlighting fluctuating exchangerates, lack of product demand andinsufficient margins as their mainconcerns for the next six months.
As emerging markets build theirtrade role around the world, it’s
important that UK businesses capit-alise on the trading opportunitiesthey provide and use it to furtherdevelop their businesses and grow.Businesses looking to start tradingacross the world or expand theirtrading operations need to conductan assessment of the risks associatedwith its trading partners includingforeign exchange risks. Global tradeis what HSBC was founded on andour global network of 8,000 relation-ship managers enables us to helpbusinesses make the most of interna-tional opportunities available tothem.
Meanwhile, as a part of BusinessThinking 2010 – HSBC’s new initiat-ive to help support and fund theUK’s most innovative and forwardthinking companies – HSBC will betaking participating companies onan overseas Thought Exchange trip.
Go to www.hsbc.co.uk/business-thinking
BANKER’SBLOGJill Hague
Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdale and Kirklees
Directors gaina top accoladeA KIRKLEES funeral firm has been named one ofthe best in the UK.
Birkenshaw-based Gateway Funeral Services,which is owned and managed by Shepley womanJanice Hutton and Richard Arnold, of Birken-shaw, has been listed in the Good Funeral Guide,
The directors are described in the guide as“genuinely forward-looking, caring and very nicepeople with a good website”.
Guide author Charles Cowling said: “To almostanyone charged with the task of arranging afuneral, choosing a funeral director can be verydifficult because they all look pretty much thesame. But they are not.
“Some, a precious few, are truly outstanding andJanice and Richard are two of them.”
Gateway Funeral Services was chosen for itshigh professional standards, outstanding personalservice and value for money.
Said Richard: “We have worked very hard sincewe opened eight months ago to provide ourfamilies with a service that we hope has not onlysatisfied, but far exceeded their expectations.
“We are delighted and very proud that we havebeen recognised by the Good Funeral Guide.”
Gateway Funeral Services held an official open-ing at the new funeral home at Southfield Terrace,Birkenshaw, last January.
■ CARING: Richard Arnold and Janice Hutton, of Gateway Funeral Services,which was praised as “truly outstanding” by the Good Funeral Guide
Service firmsget advice ontrade in EuropeKIRKLEES-based service firms interestedin expanding into Europe can glean someadvice at an event in West Yorkshiretomorrow.The event, How to Export Your Expertiseinto Europe, takes place from 8am at theBest Western Hotel St Pierre inNewmillerdam, near Wakefield.It will provide delegates with practicalguidance and advice on how to go aboutentering international markets.The breakfast briefing will includepresentations on carrying out effectivemarket research and the language andcultural barriers to consider when selling aservice abroad.There will also be hints and tips from alocal service-based business which hasachieved success in Europe.Details are available atwww.ee-yorkshire.com or from EnterpriseEurope Yorkshire on 0800 0528156.The event is part of European SME Week –a campaign to promote enterprise acrossEurope and to inform entrepreneurs aboutsupport available for them at European,national and local level.It allows SMEs to discover an array ofinformation, advice, support and ideas tohelp them develop their activities.Enterprise Europe Yorkshire is part ofEurope’s largest business supportnetwork with a presence in 46 countriesand 280 cities.Its team of advisers work with businesses,universities and research bodies.
Eddisonsin doublesuccessPROPERTY agency Eddisonshas completed two key dealsfrom its Huddersfield offices.The firm said that BrindleyHouse on Lowfields BusinessPark, Elland, which is ownedby the National Trust forScotland, was now fully let.The latest tenant to sign up isLeco Computer Supplies Ltd,which has agreed terms on2,135sq ft of first floor GradeA office space. The deal wascompleted off an asking rentof £29,900 a year.Parent company Advent DataLtd, a specialist trade-onlydistributor of printer suppliesand data storage media,already occupies the adjacentproperty.Meanwhile, Kingsmill CarpetsLtd has agreed terms on a6,036sq ft industrial and tradecounter unit at HoyerIndustrial Park, Leeds Road,Huddersfield.Eddisons has concluded thedeal on behalf of its client,Hoyer UK Ltd, at an annualrent of £20,000.Jonathan O’Connor, ofEddisons, said: “We aredelighted to have concludedthese deals quickly andachieved excellent rentalincome for our clients.”
New contracts toprovide the sparkA HOLMFIRTH man hasembarked on an energeticnew business – and is win-ning contracts to providerenewable energy systems forprivate and public sector cli-ents.
Dean Staveley walked outof his job four years ago tobecome his own boss –armed with 15 years experi-ence in the electrical con-t r a c t i n g a n d l i g h t i n gindustry.
He set up a company spe-cialising in providing windturbines and solar panels forfarms, schools, businessesand council properties – hav-ing gained internationalstandard ISO 9001 andaccreditation to organisa-tions including the Contract-ors Health and SafetyAssessment Scheme.
Dean said: “I found it a bitof a struggle to begin withand spent about two years‘on the bread line’. The bankwould not back me because
they did not see a future inrenewable energy.
“Now I am getting somegood orders and things arecoming to fruition.”
Dean’s company, NewgenDesign Ltd, based at BridgeMills, Holmfirth, operatesunder the Newgen banner.
It is one of only a handfulof companies UK-wide to bea member of the Microgener-ation Certification Scheme –an independent body thatcertifies microgenerationproducts such as turbinesand solar panels and theirinstallers in accordance withconsistent standards.
N e w g e n wo r k s w i t hE l l a n d - b a s e d Wa x m a nEnergy, a firm specialising inthe design and distributionof solar photovoltaic sys-tems, and Brighouse firmEvoco Energy Ltd, whichsupplies wind turbines. New-gen is also a member of theRenewable Energy Associ-ation.
Newgen has undertakenproject to provide turbinesfor customers at Shepley andUpper Cumberworth andhas carried out work toincrease the efficiency ofpower supplies used for light-ing stairwells and runningtumble driers at KirkleesCouncil-owned flats in BerryBrow.
A four-day installationprogramme to reduce voltagefrom 250 to 220 volts has cutenergy usage at the flats by8%.
Dean said: “I am also pri-cing for work at schools inCalderdale and Kirklees andI am getting new enquiriesevery week.”
Other potential contractsinclude work for a housingassociation with 6,000 prop-erties.
And the company will beexhibiting on June 12 atHonley Show – with theEvoco 10kw wind turbineand solar panels on display.
■ HIGH HOPES: Dean Staveley (right), of Newgen, withcustomer Malcolm Marshall and one of the turbines
LAND
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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
LOCKWOOD ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 3TGTo Let £25,000 p/a
● 193.6m² (2,084ft²)● Self Contained
● Fully Inclusive Rent
● Computer Cabling
● Car Parking
office suite
CLOTH HALL STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 2EGTo Let From £9,000 p/a
● 95.44m² (1,027ft²)● Includes 2 Mezzanine Levels 46.64m² (502ft²)
● Trade Counter
● Secure Site
● Prominent location
industrial trade counter
LEYMOOR ROAD, GOLCAR, HUDDERSFIELD, HD7 4QFTo Let £11,500 p/a
● 579.60m² (6,233ft²)● Roller shutter door access
● Competitive Rent
● Rent Free period available
● Flexible terms available
workshop/storage premises
7 ST GEORGES SQUARE, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1LARents on Application
● 67.07m² - 275.17m² (722ft² - 2,962ft²)
● Attractive Grade II Listed Building
● Prominent location
● Opposite Railway Station
office suites
Royd Street, HUDDERSFIELD, HD3 4QYFROM £350 pcm
● Fully inclusive rents● 12 month agreement
● Good car parking
● Double glazed windows
● Category II lighting
private office suites
MOORSIDE APPROACH, DRIGHLINGTON,To Let £5,000 p/a
● 49.7sqm (535sqft)
● Village location
● Security Alarm System
● Will Sell - £50,000
retail property
WAKEFIELD ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD5 9ABTo Let £12,500 p/a
● 103m (1,110ft)
● Main road location
● Outskirts of town centre
● On Street car parking
retail property
HALF MOON STREET,HD1 2JF
To Let £5 p/s/f
● 137.77sqm (1,483sq ft)
● First floor office suite
● Good secondary location
● Disability access
refurbished officesBritannia Road, HUDDS,
HD7For Sale £750,000
● 5,224sqm (56,235sqft)● Former textile mill with good
yard space
● Suitable for a variety of
industrial and commercial
purposes
● Redevelopment potential
mill complex
www.michaelsteel.co.uk
Industrial Offices
Industrial Development/Commercial
Good quality singlestorey industrial/storageaccommodation immediatelyavailable for occupation.
High quality refurbished officeswith parking easily accessibleto the Holme Valley.
Good quality single storeyworkshop/storage with yard/parking and just off main A62Leeds Road.
Two storey part residential/partformer commercial premisesrequiring refurbishment. Suitablefor a variety of residential and/or commercial uses (subjectto planning).
Barncliffe Business ParkShelly, Huddersfield
Unit 4 - 426 m² (6,738 sq ft)Unit 6 - 234 - 486 m²(2,519 - 5,038 sq ft)
For more information contact Alec Michaelon 07717 870 320 or email [email protected]
To LeT To LeT/MAy seLL
To LeT For sALe
FlexibleTerms
FlexibleTerms
only two unitsremain available
Will subdivide to suitrequirements
Please send information for anysuitable opportunities – availableeither on market or off marketand will be treat in the strictestof confidence – [email protected]
On behalf of fully retained client
oFFICe reQUIreMeNTHUDDersFIeLD
• Existing building or developmentland capable of accommodating20,000 to 30,000 sq ft of offices.
• Either within Huddersfield towncentre or adjacent ring road.
• Car parking essential.
• Freehold only.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8
Meet the presidential party
WILMA Teviotdale, head ofaccountancy at HuddersfieldUniversity, has been electedvice-president of the West YorkshireSociety of Chartered Accountants.
Ms Teviotdale joins the presidentialteam, alongside new president TimParr and deputy president PhilipPawson. The trio were elected at thesociety’s annual meeting in Leeds.
Mr Parr studied law at BristolUniversity and worked for a number ofaccountancy firms as a traineechartered accountant before
qualifying in 1985. He later moved toArthur Andersen and then Coopersand Lybrand, specialising in tax.
He qualified as an associate of theChartered Institute of Taxation in1987 and was promoted to taxmanager at Coopers and Lybrandbefore joining Keighley accountancyfirm Horwath Clark Whitehil in 1990 tohead its tax department.
Mr Parr became partner in 1991and in 2004 was elected seniorpartner. In early 2008, he led talksthat led to its merger with Baker Tilly.
Tom Evans
BarclaysCorporateBARCLAYS Corporate hasstrengthened its WestYorkshire team by appointingTom Evans as relationshipdirector for West Yorkshire,covering Huddersfield.
Mr Evans (pictured), wholives in Tingley, joins fromNatWest where he undertooka variety of roles in the WestYorkshire area, most recentlyas a commercial manager.
He said: “I am relishing the challenge ofdriving forward the larger business profile ofBarclays in West Yorkshire and looking afterboth new and existing customers.”
Asam Shah
LiquidAccountsACCOUNTANCY softwarespecialist Liquid Accounts hasappointed Asam Shah asaccount manager for directsales.
Mr Shah joins theLongwood-based companyafter working for majorinvestment companies in assetmanagement based in Londonand Leeds.
In his new role, he will work closely withDarren Garland and Richard Holmes in thesales department, where his key responsibilitywill be to attract small business owners and endusers to Liquid’s accounting software.
Jonathan’son a missionAN architect hailingfrom Huddersfield ismaking a bigimpression in theUSA.
JonathanWimpenny has asuccessful practice inthe heart of New Yorkcity – making him theenvy of many in hisprofession.
Now he isorganising the annualmeeting of the RoyalInstitute of British Architects USA at beautifulMiami Beach, Florida.
Mr Wimpenny (pictured), who is president ofthe RIBA USA board of trustees and chairman ofthe New York chapter of the RIBA USA, is linkingup with the British Consulate to stage the eventat Miami’s Wolfsonian Museum.
Jonathan, a member of Huddersfield’swell-known Wimpenny family of builders, willwelcome Ruth Reed, president of the RIBA tothe event. She will award prizes to students whohave been taking part in a RIBA USAcompetition on Transforming OurNeighbourhoods.
The two-day event – which takes place onJune 11 and 12 – will also include a dinner tobenefit children in earthquake-hit Haiti.
Following official business, delegates will visitMiami’s Viscaya Museum
British architects from RIBA’s US chaptersworking in New York, Philadelphia, Boston,Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco willattend the meeting.
Philip Brunt, Andrew Kaye & Daniel Petty
Klinger UKINDUSTRIAL gasket manufacturer Klinger UKhas expanded its team of specialist engineerswith three appointments.
The firm, which designs, makes anddistributes sealing products for the energy andaerospace industries, has appointed PhilipBrunt as project engineer, Andrew Kaye asproduction and design analyst and Daniel Pettyas a sales executive (pictured above).
All three bring sales and technical knowledgeto Klinger to support an expanding client baseacross the UK, Europe, the Middle East, the FarEast and Australasia.
Huddersfield-based Mr Kaye joined Klinger’sgraduate training scheme after completing anengineering degree at Huddersfield Universityand will use his skills in computer-aidedengineering to specialise in design analysis,project quality and production.
Mr Brunt gained a degree in engineering atManchester University and will further develophis specialist knowledge of the dynamicaerospace and defence industries.
Mr Petty, who lives in Brighouse, previouslyworked as a sales and logistics co-ordinator inthe industrial gaskets industry and as acustomer service specialist in the motor vehicleindustry.
Bradford-based Klinger has more than 130staff and distribution partnerships across theUK and in more than eight countries.
Gold standardfor work safetyDEWSBURY kitchen manufacturer Rixon-way has double cause for celebration.
The company has won two top industryawards recognising its strong commitmentto employee health and safety.
The first was a gold award presented bythe Royal Society for the Prevention ofAccidents at its Occupational Health andSafety Awards ceremony in Birmingham.The award rewards firms for reducing work-place accidents and ill-health at work andputting in place robust health and safetymanagement systems.
Rixonway also received the British SafetyCouncil’s International Safety Award afterproviding evidence that it has comprehens-ive health and safety polices in place –showing a clear commitment from theboardroom to the shop floor and consist-ently promoting a positive safety culturethroughout the business.
David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager,said: “Rixonway has shown a commitmentto protecting the health and well-being of itsemployees and others.
“Organisations which do this deserve tohave such dedication recognised and that’swhere the RoSPA Awards come in.
“As well as there being clear ethicalreasons and legal requirements for goodhealth and safety management, there is alsoa strong business case. RoSPA is delighted
to publicity honour organisations whichhave demonstrated their work to improveperformance in this sphere.”
Nick Greenall, operations director atRixonway Kitchens, said: “Rixonway takesits health and safety responsibilities veryseriously. Mini health and safety audits areregularly carried out within departmentswhere employees can raise any issues andfeedback on the organisation of the work
flow or departmental structures.”Rixonway’s strict health and safety pro-
cesses have reduced absentee rates forhourly paid shop floor staff from 10% to 2%and effectively halved its reportable acci-dent rate between 2006 and 2009.
The latest awards follow Rixonway’s suc-cess in receiving the Two Ticks Award for itscontinued commitment to employing dis-abled people.
■ SAFETY FIRST: Ben Wanyonyi, quality improvement manager at Rixonway Kitchens,receives the firm's RoSPA award from Mary O'Mahoney
■ REGIONAL ROLE: West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountantspresident Tim Parr (left), vice-president Wilma Teviotdale and deputy presidentPhilip Pawson
