KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWS paper for Kirklees 26, February, 2013 INSIDE ● Full story - Page 5 Home in on taxation Column - Page 4 An EXAMINER publication Volunteer mentors NEW and growing businesses in Kirklees have been urged to seek out mentors to provide a guiding hand. The Get Mentoring programme has encouraged thousands of owners of small and medium-sized businesses to complete mentor training and pass on their knowledge and experience of running a business to start-ups and small firms. The volunteer mentors can be accessed through website www.mentorsme.co.uk Cash for life-savers A CLECKHEATON company has raised more than £18,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The cash was raised over the past two years by staff and bosses at Ferno, a world-leading manufacturer of medical equipment to the emergency services. Employees – led by managing director Jon Ellis – have cycled, played football, baked cakes and cooked lunches to raise £18,619.52 for the airborne life-savers. COLIN BARRATT examiner.co.uk The most trusted news brand in the business FTSE 100 +19.67 6355.37 HANNAH MACKENZIE Interview- Page 4 ● Full story - Page 8 Setting a financial challenge for apprentices CHARTERED accountants across Kirklees are encouraging their train- ees to take part in a national competi- tion. The contest for apprentices on the Accountancy, Project Management and Professional Services Higher Apprenticeship programmes is an interactive business game. Apprentices compete against each other to be crowned the 2013 Appren- tice Business Challenge champions. Taking on the role of business advisers, apprentices will compete in teams at one of three regional heats held in Leeds, Birmingham and Lon- don on May 21, 22 and 23. The teams will be made up of a mix of apprentices from different appren- ticeship frameworks, organisations and industry sectors. Teams will work through a case study detailing a real-life business issue. They will then be required to analyse the information, propose a solution and present their recom- mendations to a judging panel in the form of a presentation and written report. The judging panel and competition mentors will be on hand throughout the day to provide support, guidance and feedback. The judges will then choose a winning team and a top-per- forming individual apprentice. The six top scoring teams from the three regional heats will be invited to com- pete at the National Final in London on July 19. Wilma Teviotdale, president of West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants and head of account- ancy at Huddersfield University, said: “Our professional body, ICAEW, is committed to broadening access to the accountancy profession, including the development of non-university routes for talented individuals. “We’re therefore delighted to sup- port Higher Apprenticeships, which help to develop the skills and commer- cial awareness required in the work- place. “We’re also especially pleased to be hosting the Apprentice Business Chal- lenge, which will enable apprentices to step into the role of business advisors injecting dynamism and excitement into their training and development. “We’d therefore encourage as many apprentices and employers as possible to take part.” The deadline for entries is March 22, 2013. For details, phone 01908 248250, email [email protected] or go to www.icaew.com/abc ■ DELIGHTED: Wilma Teviotdale, president of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants Recruits ready for self-employment THE Huddersfield-based regional manager for a skincare and cosmetics firm has seen a boost in recruitment – as more people opt to work for themselves. The UK division of Swedish beauty com- pany Oriflame said the size of its sales force rose by almost 10% during the final quarter of last year – with 1,330 new recruits across the UK, including West Yorkshire. Oriflame regional manager Grace Bylinka, who lives at Birchencliffe and is responsible for sales and recruitment across Yorkshire, said that many people who had been made redundant were exploring other options, including part-time work and starting their own business. She said the trend within the company reflected recent figures from the Office for National Statistics which showed that the number of people in self-employment had risen by nearly 10% since the start of the recession to 4.2m. Some 367,000 more people were self-employed in 2012 compared with 2008 when the crisis began. ONS figures also showed that the number of people in part-time work has risen by 660,000 to 8.11m since September, 2007. Oriflame’s own sales force data also showed a marked acceleration over the past few years and recent months. “People are turning to self-employed roles like direct selling as an alternative or second- ary income source thanks to the flexibility it offers and the low start-up costs,” said Grace. “Direct sellers can launch their own busi- ness with the back-up of a multi-national organisation to support them if need be. Many of our consultants have made a success- ful long-term career out of it whereas others choose to direct sell on a temporary basis.” Oriflame is one of the UK’s fastest growing beauty companies selling direct, with an annual growth of 25% a year for the past four years. The direct selling industry as a whole is defying the recession with year-on-year growth. Eric McClenaghan, chief executive of Ori- flame UK Ltd, said direct-selling companies were bucking the trend by riding on stable demand, direct engagement with consumers, flexibility in market penetration and lower costs. He said: “We provide our consultants with first class products and excellent support materials. We also remain one of the truly free-to-join operations in the UK and have just waived our minimum order cost, making it even easier for people to come on board. “Going forward, we have ambitious aims to strengthen our sales force by 18%, bringing the total number of consultants in the UK to 5,900 this year.” ■ OPTIONS: Grace Bylinka, regional manager for cosmetics company Oriflame Fashioning a new career
Transcript
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees26, Febr uar y, 2013
INSIDE
● Full story - Page 5
Home in on taxat ionCo lumn - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
VolunteermentorsNEW and growingbusinesses in Kirkleeshave been urged toseek out mentors toprovide a guidinghand. The GetMentoring programmehas encouragedthousands of ownersof small andmedium-sizedbusinesses tocomplete mentortraining and pass ontheir knowledge andexperience of runninga business to start-upsand small firms.The volunteer mentorscan be accessedthrough websitewww.mentorsme.co.uk
Cash forlife-saversA CLECKHEATONcompany has raisedmore than £18,000 forYorkshire AirAmbulance. The cashwas raised over thepast two years by staffand bosses at Ferno, aworld-leadingmanufacturer ofmedical equipment tothe emergencyservices. Employees –led by managingdirector Jon Ellis –have cycled, playedfootball, baked cakesand cooked lunches toraise £18,619.52 for theairborne life-savers.
COLIN BARRATT
exam
iner
.co.
uk Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness
FTSE 100+19.676355.37
HANNAH MACKENZIE
I n te r v i ew- Page 4
● Full story - Page 8
Setting a financial challenge for apprenticesCHARTERED accountants acrossKirklees are encouraging their train-ees to take part in a national competi-tion.
The contest for apprentices on theAccountancy, Project Managementand Professional Services HigherApprenticeship programmes is aninteractive business game.
Apprentices compete against eachother to be crowned the 2013 Appren-tice Business Challenge champions.
Taking on the role of businessadvisers, apprentices will compete inteams at one of three regional heatsheld in Leeds, Birmingham and Lon-don on May 21, 22 and 23.
The teams will be made up of a mixof apprentices from different appren-ticeship frameworks, organisationsand industry sectors.
Teams will work through a case
study detailing a real-life businessissue. They will then be required toanalyse the information, propose asolution and present their recom-mendations to a judging panel in theform of a presentation and writtenreport.
The judging panel and competitionmentors will be on hand throughoutthe day to provide support, guidanceand feedback. The judges will thenchoose a winning team and a top-per-forming individual apprentice. The sixtop scoring teams from the threeregional heats will be invited to com-pete at the National Final in Londonon July 19.
Wilma Teviotdale, president of WestYorkshire Society of CharteredAccountants and head of account-ancy at Huddersfield University, said:“Our professional body, ICAEW, is
committed to broadening access to theaccountancy profession, including thedevelopment of non-university routesfor talented individuals.
“We’re therefore delighted to sup-port Higher Apprenticeships, whichhelp to develop the skills and commer-cial awareness required in the work-place.
“We’re also especially pleased to behosting the Apprentice Business Chal-lenge, which will enable apprentices tostep into the role of business advisorsinjecting dynamism and excitementinto their training and development.
“We’d therefore encourage as manyapprentices and employers as possibleto take part.”
The deadline for entries is March22, 2013. For details, phone 01908248250, email [email protected] or goto www.icaew.com/abc
■ DELIGHTED: Wilma Teviotdale,president of the West YorkshireSociety of Chartered Accountants
Recruits ready forself-employmentTHE Huddersfield-based regional managerfor a skincare and cosmetics firm has seen aboost in recruitment – as more people opt towork for themselves.
The UK division of Swedish beauty com-pany Oriflame said the size of its sales forcerose by almost 10% during the final quarter oflast year – with 1,330 new recruits across theUK, including West Yorkshire.
Oriflame regional manager Grace Bylinka,who lives at Birchencliffe and is responsiblefor sales and recruitment across Yorkshire,said that many people who had been maderedundant were exploring other options,including part-time work and starting theirown business.
She said the trend within the companyreflected recent figures from the Office forNational Statistics which showed that thenumber of people in self-employment hadrisen by nearly 10% since the start of therecession to 4.2m.
Some 367 ,000 more people wereself-employed in 2012 compared with 2008when the crisis began.
ONS figures also showed that the numberof people in part-time work has risen by660,000 to 8.11m since September, 2007.Oriflame’s own sales force data also showed amarked acceleration over the past few yearsand recent months.
“People are turning to self-employed roles
like direct selling as an alternative or second-ary income source thanks to the flexibility itoffers and the low start-up costs,” saidGrace.
“Direct sellers can launch their own busi-ness with the back-up of a multi-nationalorganisation to support them if need be.Many of our consultants have made a success-ful long-term career out of it whereas otherschoose to direct sell on a temporary basis.”
Oriflame is one of the UK’s fastest growingbeauty companies selling direct, with anannual growth of 25% a year for the past fouryears. The direct selling industry as a whole isdefying the recession with year-on-yeargrowth.
Eric McClenaghan, chief executive of Ori-flame UK Ltd, said direct-selling companieswere bucking the trend by riding on stabledemand, direct engagement with consumers,flexibility in market penetration and lowercosts.
He said: “We provide our consultants withfirst class products and excellent supportmaterials. We also remain one of the trulyfree-to-join operations in the UK and havejust waived our minimum order cost, makingit even easier for people to come on board.
“Going forward, we have ambitious aims tostrengthen our sales force by 18%, bringingthe total number of consultants in the UK to5,900 this year.”
■ OPTIONS: Grace Bylinka, regional manager for cosmeticscompany Oriflame
Fashioning a new career
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2
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CHOCOLATE retailer Thorntonsdescribed a 70% rise in half-yearprofits as an “important step” in thecompany’s turnaround push.
The improvement to £5.3m for thesix months to January 12 followed abig jump in supermarket sales ofchocolate boxes as it looks to offsetongoing tough trading conditionsfor its retail estate.
Chief executive Jonathan Hartsaid the retailer still had much to do,particularly with it facing key testsfor Mother’s Day and Easter.
Thorntons, which has a store at
Huddersfield’s Piazza ShoppingCentre, is pinning its hopes for thisspring on improved presentationand marketing and greater space forits long-running Continental range.
Revenues rose by 2.9% to£133.7m. An 8% fall in own-storesales to £62.6m was offset by a 16%rise in sales from commercial chan-nels.
Thorntons, expects to close about40 of its 3717 stores during the yearto June as it aims for a core estate of180 to 200 sites. Many closures willhappen as leases expire.
Thorntons profits look sweeterPIZZA delivery firm Domino’s saidthe UK’s appetite for takeaway foodshould help it generate 1,500 new jobsthis year.
With annual profits up by 11% to£46.7m, Domino’s said it expects toroll out more franchise-run stores aspart of a drive for about 1,200 out-lets.
It sold 61m pizzas last year, butestimates that it only serves on aver-age 19% of UK households, present-ing the brand with a “huge growthopportunity”.
More than half of sales are nowonline, with 56% of UK customersordering takeaway pizzas over theinternet, compared with 44% a yearearlier.
One week recently saw a dozenstores receiving more than 80% oftheir delivered sales online. Anincreasing number of customers wereusing mobile phones to order.
Domino’s Pizza said its UK fran-chisees opened 57 new shops, takingthe total to 727. Like-for-like sales atits 612 “mature” shops rose by 5%.
Carclo 472 +11/4Marshalls 105 -3/4National Grid 7171/2 +2Weir Gp £215/8
CLOTHING chain Primark deliveredmore forecast-busting sales figuresafter an “outstanding” performanceover the winter.
Despite the impact of austeritymeasures hitting many European mar-kets, owner Associated British Foodssaid Primark’s sales for the six monthsto March 2 were expected to be 23%ahead of the same period last year.
The retailer, which has a store at NewStreet in Huddersfield, increasedselling space by 13% over the last year,giving it 257 stores across Europe andalmost 9m sq ft of selling space.
Stripping out changes in store space,sales were up 7% on a year earlier.
This reflected good trading over theChristmas period – when jumpers andall-in-one pyjamas sold well – as well ascomparisons with the warm autumn ayear earlier.
Margins were also “much higher”due to the benefit of lower cotton pricesand the better trading performance.
AB Foods, which also owns BritishSugar as well as household brandsKingsmill, Ryvita and Twinings, said
half-year results in April will be aheadof the company’s expectations inSeptember.
It said: “Adjusted operating profitwill be higher than last year, driven by
an outstanding performance fromPrimark.”
The better-than-expected showingfor Primark is in contrast to rivalMarks & Spencer, which according to
leaked industry figures at the weekendhas continued to lose market share infashion.
Primark said the pace of new storeopenings will slow in the remainder ofthe financial year before picking upagain in the following year.
Its plans for this year include thecompletion of extensions to its New-castle and Manchester stores.
Half-year revenues from the com-pany’s groceries division are expectedto be flat on last year.
While it is set to show good marketshare gains for Twinings Ovaltine, thebakeries division, which makes Kings-mill, increased its prices to recoverhigher costs caused by the worst har-vest of recent years.
Revenues from the UK sugar divi-sion were higher than last year withvolumes up on the previous year’sabnormally low level.
But bad weather meant sugar pro-duction for the current year is nowestimated at 1.15m tonnes against lastyear’s 1.32m and profits are expected tobe lower.
INVESTMENT in NorthSea oil and gas industryis at its highest for morethan 30 years, accordingto a report.
The Oil & Gas UK2013 Activity Survey saidthere was £11.4bninvestment in the UK’s oiland gas sector in 2012, afigure which is expectedto rise to at least £13bnthis year.
It said the number ofprojects submitted to theDepartment of Energyand Climate Change andgiven developmentapproval almost doubledbetween 2011 and 2012.
Oil & Gas UK said theprospect of large-scaleinvestment highlights thepotential for the UK’soffshore oil and gassector to boost economicactivity and contribute tothe country’s prosperityin future years.
Malcolm Webb, Oil &Gas UK’s chief executive,said: “Here is some reallygood news for the UK.After two disappointingyears brought about bytax uncertainty andconsequent lowinvestment, the UKcontinental shelf is nowbenefiting from recordinvestment in newdevelopments and inexisting assets andinfrastructure, thestrongest for more thanthree decades.”
He said activity hadbeen spurred by theintroduction of targetedtax breaks to promote thedevelopment of difficultprojects and theGovernment’scommitment to providecertainty ondecommissioning taxrelief, adding: “It is crucialthat we sustain thismomentum in the yearsahead.”
Winter sales boostfor retailer Primark
North Seabonanza
■ COTTONING ON: Lower cotton prices have contributed to improved marginsfor high street fashion chain Primark
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3
HannahMackenzie
RadcliffePlant Hire
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Role: New business salesand marketing executiveAge: 19Family: SingleHolidays: I’d love to goshopping in New York or lazearound somewhere hot andsunnyCar: My ambition is to buy abeat-up Golf GTI and do it upFirst job: Working on themarket stall with my mumBest thing about job: Thepeople – employees and cus-tomersWorst thing about job:Nothing! It’s great workinghereBusiness tip: Clients dobusiness with YOU, not yourcompany, so service is alwayssecond to any client relation-ship
Work: Plant and tool hire,vehicle services and storagefor the construction industrySite: HuddersfieldEmployees: FivePhone: 01484 420212Email: [email protected]: www.jradcliffeplant.co.uk
Hannahbuilds amodelcareer
SHE was tipped for a high-flyingcareer in the glamorous world offashion modelling.
But 19-year-old HannahMackenzie turned her back onthe catwalk.
Now she’s happy to betramping around muddy buildingsites wearing a high-vis jacket,hard hat and boots in her role asnew business sales andmarketing executive atHuddersfield-based RadcliffePlant Hire.
And despite her tender years,she has already accumulated awealth of experience in selling.As a youngster, she helped mumDarcey run her vintage fashionshop and manned stalls at openmarkets across the north.
After leaving school, shelaunched her own clothingbusiness on eBay.
Before joining Radcliffe PlantHire earlier this year, she alsohad spells working in a callcentre – a high-pressure sellingenvironment if ever there wasone – and as a marketingexecutive for a firm of personalinjury lawyers.
Hannah, who lives at Mirfield,grew up in East Bierley andattended Batley GrammarSchool.
On leaving school, she set upher eBay business sellingvintage clothing. At just 16, shefound herself sourcing stock,modelling items for sale andrunning her own blog.
“You could definitely say Icome from a sales background,”she says. “My mum left hercareer in the police to set up herown business selling vintagefashion.
“She ran a shop at Saltaire fora number of years and when shedecided to close it she had lotsof stock.
“She sold items online and atlocal markets. At the age of 11 or12 I would go alone to help.
“I got a buzz out of it and Iseemed to have a bit of a flair forworking with people.
“We would go to Huddersfieldopen market and later to Hebden
Bridge, Todmorden andChesterfield. We went to eventssuch as Leeds Vintage Fair andto Newark and Lincoln.”
Hannah enjoyed running hereBay business, but said:“Latterly, I got a bit fed up beingstuck in the house. It can be alonely life working constantlyonline. I’m an outgoing personand I wanted to get out there.
“Growing up in a retail andselling environment, you can’thelp but pick up the knowledge.I’ve grown up in a house full ofstock. It would have been sillynot to have made use of thatknowledge.”
Working in the call centre andfor the law firm proved lessappealing, says Hannah. “It wasgood experience because I wasdealing with lots of people,” shesays.
“But it was quite stressful andthe atmosphere was alwaysnegative.You didn’t get that nice‘vibe’.
“I decided I wanted to work fora smaller company where I felt Iwould be valued and where Icould make a difference –somewhere I could shine.“
Working for a plant hire firmselling everything from
scaffolding and tools to dumpertrucks may seem an odd choiceto make – but Hannah doesn’tsee it that way.
She says: “I’ve always wantedto work in a male-dominatedindustry because from a salespoint of view I think it gives mean advantage!
“I love the job. It gives mesomething to get my teeth into.I’ve been out driving the dumpertrucks and I get my high-visjacket on and just muck in!
“It’s the best workingenvironment I’ve experiencedbecause the people are friendlyand there’s a real ‘family firm’atmosphere.”
Radcliffe Plant Hire, based atQueen’s Square, Leeds Road,has been in business for morethan 50 years and is part of theRadcliffe Group, which traces itsroots to 1802.
The business provides plantand equipment as well asstorage space and vehicle repairfor the construction sector,mainly serving small buildingcompanies.
The Radcliffe name issynonymous with Huddersfield.
J Radcliffe and Sons has beena family-owned firm since its
formation more than 200 yearsago built many of the town’slandmark buildings, includingBritannia Buildings in StGeorge’s Square, the KirkleesCouncil offices, HuddersfieldTechnical College and parts ofthe university.
Hannah is following in thefootsteps of colleague CathHirst, who last year became thefirst female to be appointed planthire manager in the firm’s history.
They now joke that the womenare taking over!
Hannah says: “It’s a bit of achallenge for me because it’s sodifferent, but selling is selling –and whatever the product orservice, selling is about peopleand building relationships.”
“I still like to put on my lipstickand get my nails done! I likemusic and going out with friends,but I also like going out to seecustomers and working with theteam at Radcliffe’s.”
Hannah, who dotes on her twoStaffordshire bull terriers Dollyand Stanley, realises she’sturning a few heads in a world ofbuilders and bacon butties.
The lads have had to makespace in the office fridge forHannah’s preferred lunch-timechoice of healthy food. Shejokes: “I’ve already educatedthem about what an avocado is!”
But she says: “If people mightthink I’m glamorous, they onlyhave to wait until they hear myaccent – then they realise I’mjust a Yorkshire lass. Everyone isgenuinely lovely and we reallyget on.”
She recalls: “I was talentscouted for modelling at the ageof 11 and later I had the chanceof going on a photo shoot toMilan. I sometimes wonderwhether not going on that tripwas the biggest mistake of mylife. But modelling isn’tglamorous, really. You seem tohave to be stick-thin and you’rereally just a clothes horse whenall’s said and done.”
■ GIRL POWER: Hannah Mckenzie, is in a man’s world as newbusiness sales and marketing executive at Radcliffe Plant Hire
Independent financialplanning services for
companies and individualsEastwood & PartnersEastwood & Partners
www.eastwoodfinancial.co.ukAuthorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority
KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4
TAXTALKColin Barratt
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth charteredaccountants, Huddersfield
Bright sparks on shortlistTWO Huddersfield businesses havemade it to the regional shortlist in acompetition for enterprising universitystudents.
That Creative and The Lazy Camperare among nine finalists in the LloydsTSB Enterprise Awards.
They are in the running to scoop topprizes of £10,000 and £50,000 to investin their businesses.
Categories cover Best Start Up andBest Enterprise. The first goes to abusiness in its early stages, while thesecond will be awarded to a company
judged to show real potential to growover the next five years.
That Creative is a team of graduateswith skills encompassing mechanicaldesign engineering, technical detailing,advanced computer-aided design,photography, high-quality product andtechnical drawings.
The team is now working withseveral clients and has designed itemsas diverse as kitchen chopping boards,plant pots, watering cans and babies’dummies
The Lazy Camper, which has already
won several awards, provides acomplete camping package witheverything in one bag.
It has sponsored a range of festivals,sold kits all over Europe and plans aselection of products for other outdooractivity kits
Initial rounds will be held throughoutMarch, with the heat for the North Easttaking place on March 13 in Newcastle.
The winners will go on to competefor the overall title of Best Start Up andBest Enterprise on April 23.
Seeking future stars of finance
Franchisors getchance to shineFRANCHISORSbuildingboomingbusinesseshave beenurged to enter anationalcompetition.The BritishFranchiseAssociation haslaunched its2013 Franchisor of the Yto champion the UK’outstanding franchisordriven business successThree categories arentries – the bfa HSBC Fof the Year Award, the HSBCFranchisee SupporExpress Newspaperof the Year Award.Last year’s Franchisor of the YAward winner, Autosmarlargest manufacturof professional vehicproducts to the automotithe UK, was recognised fcommitment to investing inresearch and development in orto diversify its product ofand cut costs.Brian Smart (picturdirector-general of the bfa, said:“The awards bring to light theexceptional stories thahave to tell, regardless of sizsector.“The overriding messawitnessed at the awfranchising continues to be aneffective business model whicthrive given the corand support.“We hope that the success storiesthis year will encourenthuse others to considerfranchising as a viastructure for themselvFranchisors can enter any or all ofthe categories. The deadline isFriday, April 5.National finalists will be ininterview with the judging panel inMay and winners will be announcedat a gala dinner in London, onThursday, July 4.Go to www.thebfa.org
Ferno landsnew contractA CLECKHEATON-based companysupplying equipment ffirms and mortuaries has completeda contract in the south-east.Ferno has supplied rlifting equipment to HaServices, an independent companyoperating funeral homes acrthe London area.The refrigeration system cspecially designed fand funeral parlourspace.Ferno also offers a rstretchers and trolleand mortuary sector as wafter-sales service with rmaintenance.
Taxing issues onthe home front!
An early start fornetworking groupBUSINESS leaders will learn more aboutGoogle Adwords at a networking eventnext week.4Networking Huddersfield meets everyother Tuesday over breakfast at theAspley Table Table on St Andrew’s Road.The next meeting, which runs from 8amto 10am, is on March 5, when there willbe an opportunity for networking, threefocused one-to-one meetingsd and apresented called “Eat your way to health– it’s cheaper than the gym” given byBobSnowzell, of e-bob (Boosting OnlineBusiness).4N aims to offer a relaxed, friendlyenvironment that is 50% business and50% social. Members can attendmeetings at any of the UK’s 318 groups,with each session including opennetworking and three 10-minuteone-to-one appointments.4N was founded in 2006 by businessspeaker and author Brad BurtonFor details [email protected] or visitwww.4networking.biz
IT is common for theself-employed to use their home
for work and in doing so incurexpenses on which they may beable to claim tax relief againsttheir business income.
An expense will be allowable where itis incurred wholly and exclusively forthe purpose of the business and in thecontext of the home this will mean thatwhen part of the home is being used forthe business then that is the sole use forthat part at that time.
It does not mean that part of thehome must be permanently used forbusiness purposes and not used for anyother purpose at any other time normust the business expenditure be separ-ately billed.
Expenses which are usually allowedfor tax purposes are the property’sbusiness-related running costs includ-ing cleaning, heat, light and power,telephone (line rental & call charges)and broadband costs together withbusiness insurance on plant andmachinery such as computer equip-ment.
The amount of tax allowableexpenses that can be claimed by bothsole traders and partners will dependon the extent and nature of the businessactivities carried on at home and it willbe necessary to apportion these costs onthe basis of the area occupied for busi-ness, how long the area is used in thebusiness and, in the case of runningcosts, the amounts used for business.
As an example, an individual works
from home and uses their living roomfrom 9am to 1pm for business and from6pm until 10pm it is used by the family.The house has four rooms, excludinghallways and bathrooms with total run-ning costs of £4,000 per year.
The allowable running costs will be£500 – £4,000 x 1/4 x 4/8 (business useagainst private use of the room).
Where there is only minor use of thehome, for example writing up the busi-ness records at home, HM Revenue &Customs has indicated that they willaccept a reasonable estimate withoutdetailed enquiry. Otherwise, extensiverecords will need to be kept whenmaking such a claim.
The fixed costs of the home, whichinclude council tax, mortgage interestpayments (not capital repayments),water rates, general repairs and rent willnot normally be allowed unless part ofthe home is used exclusively for busi-ness, in which case business rates ratherthan council tax will apply with anyprivate use of that expense being disal-lowed for tax purposes.
It is also important not to overlookthe Capital Gains Tax (CGT) implica-tions of using the home for business. Ifa room is set aside exclusively for busi-ness purposes, where fixed costs areclaimed, then the Principal Private Res-idence exemption will not apply to thegain arising on this part of the houseonce the house is sold.
Any business related gain, afterdeduction of the annual CGT exemp-tion, currently £10,600, is then likely tobe taxed at 10% due to the existence ofEntrepreneurs’ Relief rather than thestandard rates of 18%, or 28% for thosesubject to higher rates of tax.
Depending on the circumstance, theamount of CGT payable may outweighthe income tax relief obtained in claim-ing the fixed expenses, so care needs tobe taken when making a claim.
Where there is both business andprivate use of the room, where onlyrunning costs are claimed and not fixedcosts, the Principal Private Residenceexemption should not be jeopardised.
SENIOR finance professionals inKirklees have been urged to highlightkey members of their team by puttingthem forward for the 2013 YorkshireRising Star Awards.
The awards set out to recognise andcelebrate Yorkshire’s finance directorsof tomorrow – high-calibre accountants,both fully and part qualified, who havemade a significant contribution to therunning of the finance function withintheir organisation.
The awards are run by Grant
Thornton, Cobbetts, RBS and SharpConsultancy. The closing date forentries in March 31.
Categories include companies withturnover under £25m, over £25m andover £150m.
There is a plc award and a categoryfor public sector organisations as wellas the coveted Overall Rising Staraward.
Previous years’ winners includefinance stars from leadingorganisations across the region,
including Asda, Bettys & Taylors,Jet2.com, Sheffield Hallam University,Leeds Metropolitan University andAiredale NHS Foundation Trust.
The rigorous judging procedure forthe awards will include an interviewwith a panel of judges from the awardbackers.
The winners will be announced at ablack-tie gala dinner on Thursday, May9, at Oulton Hall Hotel, in Leeds.
Go to www.yorkshirerisingstars.co.uk
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5It’s time to makemore of mentoringNEW and growing businesses in Kirkleeshave been urged to seek out mentors toprovide a guiding hand,The Small Firms Enterprise DevelopmentInitiative is behind the successful GetMentoring programme which hasencouraged thousands of owners of smalland medium-sized businesses to completementor training – and pass on theirhard-earned knowledge and experience ofrunning a business to those just startingout or with ambitions to grow theirbusiness.Some 15,000 volunteer mentors have beentrained – bringing the national total to morethan 27,000.The mentors can be accessed through thewebsite www.mentorsme.co.uk which listsmore than 100 mentoring organisationsoperating across the UK, some of whichoperate in the Kirklees area.Ruth Lowbridge, executive chair of SFEDI,said: “Choosing the right business mentoris essential and with a host of newly-trainedvolunteers having recently been registered,there has never been a better opportunity tofind a mentor that can make a difference totheir company.“Small businesses tend to look for mentorswho either have experience of running abusiness or knowledge of specific areassuch as finance, sales and marketing.Mentors act as a sounding board for ideasand share their own experiences of dealingwith particular issues.”The National Federation of EnterpriseAgencies found that 70% of small firmswhich receive mentoring survive for fiveyears or more – double the rate fornon-mentored entrepreneurs – while 20%are more likely to grow and expand whencompared to non-mentored companies.
Franchisors getchance to shine
hisor of the Year Awardshampion the UK’s most
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Feel the benefit
Ferno landsnew contract
ON-based companysupplying equipment for the funeral
tuaries has completedact in the south-east.
no has supplied refrigeration andlifting equipment to Haven Funeral
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EMPLOYERS should considerintroducing low-cost or no-costbenefits to attract and retain staff,said a human resources expert.
Julie Sykes (right), ofShepley-based JCS HR, said: “It’s aproven fact that most employeeslook for more than just a salary fromtheir employer these days. In fact, acommon theme amongst The TimesTop 100 Employers list was thatthey all offered a range of benefitsthat employees value.
“These included holidays abovethe statutory minimum, childcareprovision, health and wellbeing,pensions and opportunities to beinvolved in charitable or publicservice volunteering.”
Ms Sykes said many small firmsdid not offer staff benefits beyondthose they are legally obliged toprovide – mainly because ofconcerns about the cost and lack ofknowledge about what is available.
But she said: “Whilst is it is truethat some benefits can come with ahefty price tag, there are a range ofbenefits that employers can provideat very little, or even no, cost.”
They included childcare vouchers,the Cycle To Work scheme, theComputer Purchase Scheme andhealthcare cash plans.
Said Ms Sykes: “The benefit ofchildcare vouchers to employees isthat they can be purchased througha salary sacrifice scheme. Thiseffectively means that the employee
buys the vouchers from their grosssalary and only pays tax on theremaining net salary.”
Under cycle to work schemes, thecompany buys a bike for theemployee to ride to work. Theemployee “hires” the bike through asalary sacrifice scheme and at theend of the “hire” period theemployee buys the bike from theemployer.
Ms Sykes said the computerpurchase scheme worked in asimilar way while under healthcarecash plans the company providesaccess to a plan for which staffmake a small monthly payment,enabling them to claim back dental,optical and other medical costs.Alternatively, the company can payfor a corporate scheme.
Age no barrierto enterpriseYORKSHIRE firms with the biggestpotential for growth aren’t restricted tostart-ups, a survey has revealed.
Contrary to the popular view thatstart-ups are the most dynamic enter-prises, analysis by business coachingservice GrowthAccelerator shows that31% of those tipped for the top are fiveto 10 years old while 25% have beengoing for more than 10 years.
Andrew Brocklehurst, spokesmanfor GrowthAccelerator in Yorkshire,said: “High growth is often perceivedto be the exclusive domain of start-upsor young enterprises which are newand nimble enough to grow quickly.
“This research shows that growthcan come at any stage in a business’lifetime. Many of our most prosperous,ambitious organisations are thosewhich are setting and achieving newgoals whether in their fifth,, 50th or100th year of trading.
“With the right support and guid-ance, the growth opportunity exists nomatter what the business age.”
GrowthAccelerator’s team of expertgrowth managers, including Hudders-field-based Ann Storey, said theopportunity for high growth can comemore than once in a business’ lifecycle
– and that high growth should not, belimited to “young” companies.
Most of the growth managers saidthe biggest catalysts driving these peri-ods of high growth in businesses overfive years old are changes to manage-ment or ownership of a business orshifts in the wider economy.
The research also highlights thatbusinesses between five and 10 yearsold face unique challenges which canaffect their ability to achieve theirgrowth potential.
The most common challenges at thisstage include lack of confidenceamong management teams in how toapproach their next phase of growth;boards focused on manag ing“day-to-day’” issues rather than creat-ing a long-term plan; and innovativebusinesses needing support in turning
new ideas into new products and ser-vices.
Said Mr Brocklehurst: “What isclear is that established companies areas capable of delivering high growth asinnovative start-ups, but they face aunique set of challenges – and oppor-tunities - as they mature.
“The steps they need to take toachieve their growth potential areoften where the biggest challenges lie,which is where GrowthAccelerator canhelp.
“Our growth managers work withbusinesses to identify opportunities,and ensure they’re on the right path toachieve them, before they’re matchedwith an expert coach who will workwith them to unlock that excitinggrowth potential.”
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 6
Don’t fall victim to further finesKIRKLEES companies thatmissed the January 31 taxdeadline have been urged to filetheir returns quickly to avoidfurther fines.
Nick Brook, who runs TaxAssistAccountants in Lockwood, said:“Businesses and individuals whoare yet to submit their tax returnsneed to act fast.
“HM Revenue & Customs willnow have issued them with a£100 penalty, claimingapproximately £73m of smallbusiness owners’ hard-earnedincome, but this is just the tip ofthe iceberg.”
Mr Brook said HMRC added on
a late payment penalty of 5% ofany tax outstanding after 30 days– and the rate of late paymentpenalties grows if the tax getsover six months old.
For late filing of tax return, adaily penalty of £10 per day willbe incurred if the return is overthree months late – up to amaximum of £900. Even harsherpenalties are applied if the delayis over six months.
The late filing penalties are inaddition to the £100 automaticpenalty mentioned above.
“In some circumstances, suchas serious family illness orbereavement, HMRC may waive
penalties, but most other reasonsfor late filing can be difficult tojustify.
Said Mr Brook: “We havehelped many businesses andindividuals by completing theappeals process for them. HMRChas really clamped down on latereturns, last year issuing anestimated £1bn in late filingpenalties.
“Whilst we are urging peoplenot to delay in filing, first makeabsolutely sure you haven’t beenissued a tax return in error; forinstance your business may haveceased trading and HMRC maynot have the changes on record.”
■ PENALTIES: Nick Brook, ofTaxAssist Accountants
Double incentive for studentsA SCHOOL dedicated to creatingthe next generation of financialadvisers is providing a doubleincentive for students atHuddersfield University.
The Financial Adviser Schoolhas teamed up with the universityto sponsor two awards in thepersonal financial planning moduleundertaken by second-yearstudents on the Business Studieswith Financial Services andAccountancy programmes.
To support the module, the FAS
has sponsored one individualaward offering the best student£100 and one group awardrewarding the best groupassignment with £200.
The FAS will monitor students’progress along the module andalso provide lectures on variousaspects of personal financialplanning in order to give thestudents deeper insight into theimportance and relevance ofsavings and investments.
FAS director Lisa Winnard said:
“Personal financial planning is avery important module for thosewishing to enter the financialservices and so supporting thesestudents was a natural decision forthe Financial Adviser School.
“We have a designated trainerwho will deliver lecturesthroughout the module and alsobe on hand to provide studentswith further information about acareer as a financial adviser.
“We look forward to developingour relationship with the University
of Huddersfield as the moduleprogresses and to rewarding thosewho stand-out in their class.”
Kirsten Jones, senior lecturer inthe department of accountancy atthe university, said the module wasvital for students considering afuture in the financial servicesindustry, adding: “The support ofthe Financial Adviser School notonly provides the class with extraincentives, but also enables themto see how these skills can beattributed to a career.”
Town taps intocharity donationDRINKS dispense specialist Brewfitthas presented the HuddersfieldTown Foundation with £500 to helpfund its important work in thecommunity.The foundation was set up to helpimprove the quality of life for youngpeople across Huddersfield andWest Yorkshire.And every pound that comes into thefoundation is doubled by trustee andTown chairman Dean Hoyle. Noadministration or business costs aretaken from the fundraising pot – thatcost is met instead by HuddersfieldTown.Brewfitt, based at Fenay Bridge, waskeen to back the initiative – anddecided to reallocate funds that wereoriginally put aside for client andsupplier Christmas gifts.James Paxman, operations directorat Brewfitt, presented the cheque tofoundation corporate fundraisingofficer Mandy Taylor.Said James: “We are delighted tohelp such an inspiring cause. We asa business understand theimportance of healthy eating andlifestyles.“The foundation is doing great workto improve the quality of life foryoung people in our region withinitiatives such as the Early Kick Offbreakfast clubs in local schools. Welook forward to continuing tosupport the foundation in thefuture.”
Optician focuseson a major prizeAN award-winning optician hasbeen recognised for his entrepren-eurial vision.
Moin Valli, managing director ofThe Valli Group, was namedYoung Business Person of the Yearin last November’s 2012 ExaminerBusiness Awards.
Now his business has been short-listed for one of his industry’s mostprestigious awards.
The Valli Group, which hasseven optical practices in WestYorkshire, is among the contendersin the business excellence categoryof the 2013 Optician Awards.
The winner will be announced inApril at a glittering ceremony inBirmingham.
Mr Valli said: “I am delightedthat we have been shortlisted forthe awards.
“It’s a testament to the hardwork and dedication that our entireteam gives every day.
“Our goal is to position The ValliGroup as the leading independentopticians across West Yorkshireand eventually beyond, offeringprofessional eye care and out-standing service in our local com-munities.
“We’re working hard to achievethis through the acquisition of fur-ther practices, the growth of cur-
r e n t p r a c t i c e s , b u s i n e s sdevelopment and extensive finan-cial investment in our staff devel-opment and training.”
Moin, 35, became a qualifiedoptometrist in 2000 and worked forfive years as a locum at variouspractices as well as establishing an
optical recruitment agency.He and his wife Rachel founded
The Valli Group in 2005 by acquir-ing Hampshire Opticians withthree practices in Lockwood, Hon-ley and Meltham.
They now have a portfolio ofseven independent optical prac-tices across Huddersfield andCalderdale with a team of 25staff.
The other sites are at Almond-bury, Cleckheaton, Hebden Bridgeand Mytholmroyd.
The Valli Group has investedheavily in technology, opticalequipment and refurbishment,spending more than £300,000 inthe past six years.
The group also plays a strongrole in the communities in which itspractices are based – offering a freeservice to elderly and disabledpatients in their own homes if theyare unable to visit their local prac-tices.
Mr Valli regularly delivers talksat local schools and communitygroups to raise the awareness of eyehealth. while the group offers helpto sufferers of dyslexia and visualstress, which enhances their abilityto read.
■ FAR-SIGHTED: Moin Valli, managing director of The Valli Group,which has been shortlisted in the 2013 Optician Awards
Join the club?MEMBERS of Huddersfield’sbusiness community will be lettingoff steam on Friday.The next meeting of the First FridayClub will be held from 12.30pm to1.30pm at The Head of Steam, StGeorge’s Square.The informal networking event is achance for business people based inthe town centre to get together for adrink and a chat.For details about the meetings andthe First Friday LinkedIn group [email protected] or go towww.revellward.co.uk
Treble top fortechnology firmA KIRKLEES-based IT company hasexpanded its activities.Ancar B Technologies, which hasoffices at Liversedge, hasredeveloped its own website andlaunched a further two sites offeringnew services – one as a hostingservice for Sage applications andthe other as a site covering Cloudcomputing.Andrew Barnes, Managing Directorcomments “This is a really excitingtime for the company. By expandinginto specialist areas to enhance keyservices, we feel we can reallyenhance a companies ITinfrastructure whilst still remainingcost effective for them. In this evercompetitive market it is important torecognise the needs of ourcustomers and supply the serviceswhich can really help them developfor the future.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7
Developer detectsrenewed confidenceA PROPERTY developer in Huddersfield haspredicted that 2013 will see renewedconfidence in the housing market.Brockholes-based Towngate Homes, part of theConroy Brook Group, also forecast an increasein the number of visitors to its developments,including its new site in Mirfield.The company commented after a survey byRightmove reported a 22% rise in the numberof properties coming to market during the firsttwo weeks of January against the same periodin 2011. Traffic was up by 27% – the highestlevel recorded for the period since 2008.Towngate said the improving trend boded wellfor its Woodsome View development of sixluxury four-bedroom detached houses inMirfield – which has entered its second phasewith a new showhome open and ready to view.
John’s all set to offersome solid adviceA HUDDERSFIELDbusinessman is helpingto pave the way aheadfor the UK concreteindustry.John Quinn (pictured),founder ofLockwood-basedDecorative ConcreteLtd, has been invited tothe UK Concrete Showat Birmingham’s NEC tospeak about thebenefits of imprintedconcrete paving. The show, which takes placetomorrow and Thursday, is Europe’s largestevent dedicated to the concrete industry.Decorative Concrete Ltd is best-known for itsSpectacular Driveways UK brand, but is alsoenjoying success with its latest venture,Hi-spec Concrete Ltd, which is now firmlyestablished in the local concrete supply market.Commenting on the Birmingham event, MrQuinn said: “We’ve been installing superbdriveways for private and commercial clients forclose to 20 years and I always enjoy extollingthe virtues of this attractive, durable andvirtually maintenance-free paving to such anexpert audience.”
House in order –now for awards!A HOUSING association which only twoyears ago was staring at financial disasterhas been shortlisted for a national industryaward.
A major turnaround in the fortunes ofHuddersfield-based Sadeh Lok HousingGroup – which owns and manages morethan 1,000 homes in Kirklees and Wake-field – has earned it a place in the final ofthe business transformation category at thisyear’s UK Housing Awards.
In 2010, the Edgerton-based organisa-tion was looking at a £2m loss and wasunder the close scrutiny of the housingregulator.
However, a comprehensive businessimprovement programme, developed by thenew management team and board, has seenthe organisation dramatically turn aroundits financial position, performance andreputation across the housing sector.
This reversal of fortune has enabledSadeh Lok to invest more than £1.3m lastyear in its existing housing stock.
Chief executive Paul Dolan said: “Beingshortlisted for this national award provesjust how dramatic our transformation hasbeen.
“To get us back on a firm footing we hadto take some very tough decisions. Throughthe collective commitment and dedicationof our staff, board members and residentswe have transformed Sadeh Lok during avery short period of time into a highperforming housing business.
“In what is our 25th anniversary year, weare now delivering UK-leading customer
satisfaction and operational performance.“The changes made will allow us to
continue to provide high quality homes andservices to current and future generationsacross all of the communities in which wework.”
The awards, now in their 17th year,recognise outstanding work by housing
organisations to improve the lives of peoplein their communities. They are organised bythe Chartered Institute of Housing.
This year’s awards attracted more than300 entries from all over the UK.
The winners will be revealed at a cere-mony at the Lancaster London Hotel onApril 16.
■ HOUSE PROUD: Chief executive Paul Dolan (back, left) and the team at Sadeh Lok
Birstall companyfinds new locationA COMPANY has moved from premises inBirstall to a larger site.Alliance Disposables, a national supplier ofnon-food products, has moved from NorquestIndustrial Park to take a five-year lease on a15,000sq ft warehouse and industrial unit atGildersome Spur Industrial Estate, Leeds.DTZ advised on the letting, acting on behalf ofOrchard Street Investment Management.Gildersome Spur Industrial Estate is owned byOrchard Street’s client St. James’s Place UK plcand is the largest single-owned industrial estatein Leeds, comprising 470,000sq ft in total.Paul Mack, associate director at DTZ, said: “Thecompletion of this transaction with AllianceDisposables further demonstrates the quality ofthe premises on offer at Gildersome SpurIndustrial Estate.“Alliance Disposables needed a modern andhigh specification facility in a location thatoffers direct access to the national motorwaynetwork.“A programme of extensive refurbishment andproactive marketing has again borne fruit andwe are delighted to have landed anothernational brand name at the estate.”DTZ and Carter Towler are joint letting agentsfor the estate.
We need a ‘builders’ Budget’CHANCELLOR GeorgeOsborne’s forthcoming Budgetmust include measures to makeBritain’s homes moreenergy-efficient, says aconstruction industry body.
Brian Berry, chief executive ofthe Federation of MasterBuilders, made the plea in a letterto the chancellor – warning thatby 2016, some 9m Britishhouseholds could be in fuelpoverty.
He said: “We need action nowto help get Britain buildingtowards growth and independenteconomists estimate thatdiverting funds into a massivepublic-sector programme toimprove the energy-efficiency ofBritain’s existing 26m homes
would boost GDP by 0.2%,create 130,000 jobs and help theGovernment meet its own targetsfor cutting carbon emissions.”
Said Mr Berry: “We also wantministers to rethink the unrealistictimeline for zero-carbon homes,which was set back in 2006before the economic slump. Ourown survey of smaller housingdevelopers found that theproposals to change Part L of theBuilding Regulations in Octoberthis year could add more than£3,500 to the cost of building anew house.
“This will discourage evenmore developers from buildingnew homes, further exacerbatingthe desperate housing shortageand locking low and
middle-income buyers out of themarket.”
Mr Berry said: “Finally, weneed to see a cut in VAT from20% to 5% on home renovationand repair. Britain’s ageinghousing stock is deteriorating ashome-owners can’t afford to getwork done.
“Families are trapped in avicious cycle, in which they can’tafford to move and planning redtape makes it harder to alter theirhomes to meet changing need.Cutting VAT on renovation andrepair would give a shot in thearm to beleaguered builders,create jobs and encouragehouseholders to make theirhomes more comfortable,affordable and energy-efficient.”
■ PLEA: ChancellorGeorge Osborne hasbeen urged to get Britainbuilding in his Budget
Kitchen firm backs town centreA COMPANY providingkitchens, bathrooms andbedrooms has shown itscommitment to Huddersfieldwith the opening of a towncentre showroom.
Bradley man Darren Price,who has been involved in thesector for more than 22 years,has launched HD1 Kitchensand Bathrooms at Beastmarket
to serve the domestic marketas well as local tradespeople.
Mr Price began his careerwith Ram Kitchens in 1990before becoming a director of aHalifax kitchen firm, where hespent 16 years.
He sold his shares in thecompany in 2008 to work for acompany specialising inbathrooms.
He took redundancy in 2012to launch HD1 Kitchens andBathrooms – and take him backto his retailing origins.
Mr Price, who is holding anopen day on Thursday topromote the new business,said: “I was looking for suitablepremises and took a lease onthese premises at the end ofDecember.
This is a nice-sizedshowroom in a prominentlocation.
“This side of town has goodfootfall, particularly in themornings and evenings andalso benefits from being nearKingsgate. We were in a towncentre with the Halifax firm andthat proved very successful.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8
Joanne’s no mug!
WILDLIFE artist Joanne T Kell isdrinking to further success after thelaunch of a set of china mugsfeaturing four of her designs.
Joanne, who lives at GreenhillBank Road, New Mill, wascommissioned by Cotswoldscompany Heath McCabe to providefour images for a new mug gift set.
And she joined the company’srepresentatives for the launch of theproduct at the Spring Fair – Europe’sleading home and gift trade fair – atBirmingham’s NEC.
Joanne said it was her firstcommission for such work, adding::“I am delighted with the product andHeath McCabe had a successfulweek at the NEC, receiving orders
worldwide.”Joanne, whose love of wildlife has
involved her working as a batconservation volunteer and withbadger conservation groups, workswith pencils and is known for theintense detail in her work.
She has completed work for familyand friends and has designedseveral greetings cards featuringBritish wildlife such as foxes, haresand bats.
Joanne has previously beencommissioned by the Derwent PencilCompany, based in Cumbria, whichuses her work on some of itspackaging. She also runs workshopsschools and for groups to interestthem in drawing.
It’s a piece ofcake for MPCAKEMAKER AllisonWhitmarsh (pictured right)has already got a vote ofsupport from entrepreneurDeborah Meaden.
Now Colne Valley MPJason McCartney (alsopictured) has congratulatedAllison on her success insecured £50,000 ofinvestment from theDragon’s Den panellist.
The Conservative MPvisited Allison’s companyProperMaid to find outmore about the firm’ssuccess, tour its premisesat Heritage Exchange,Lindley – and sample someof its quirky cakes.
Allison landed the dealwith Deborah in a festiveedition of BBC’s Dragons’Den late last year.
Deborah, who hasadmitted to not havingcooked a meal for herself in 28 years, investedthe sum in return for a 25% slice of the cake firm.
ProperMaid’s “traditional cakes with a twist” sointrigued the TV Dragons that two of them endedup battling over the investment before Allison, aformer dinner lady, chose to accept Deborah’soffer of investment.
Allison and her creative team have made aname for themselves with theirout-of-the-ordinary home-baked cakes andloaves. Flavours have included Courgette andLime, Beetroot and Chocolate, Liquorice,Dandelion and Burdock – which won a Gold Starat the 2012 Great Taste Awards – and ChocolateChilli and Fudge.
ProperMaid was named New Business of theYear in the 2008 Examiner Business Awards –the first of several accolades.
■ CUP WINNERS: Joanne T Kell with the Heath McCable team of (fromleft) John McCabe, David Smith and Phil Heath and the mugs she designedat the NEC in Birmingham
Online adviceis the businessKIRKLEES companies have been urged to getonline – to share advice and best practice with otherbusinesses around the north of England.
The Business Exposure Group, which runsbusiness-owner discussion forums to businessowners with a collective turnover of over £300m, haslaunched an online service offering business ownersdirect access to peer-to-peer business advice.
It follows comments made be those attending theevents that more business owners would welcomeaccess to advice from like-minded business ownerson a real-time basis.
The new social BXG Online site works in a similarway to both LinkedIn and Facebook – but differs inthat it targets business owners only and is ultimatelya “virtual board” for business owners, withwide-ranging expertise rather than simplynetworking.
The site allows vetted business owners anddirectors to participate in detailed discussion on alltopics. It’s billed as a place to troubleshoot,mastermind, sell and trade with other businessowners in the online market place. The site is alsoaccessible through mobiles and tablets.
David Jay, one of the founding members of BXGOnline, said: “It promises business ownersinvaluable access to business discussions withtrusted, like-minded and legitimate business owners.
“The BXG round table discussions have shownjust how keen business owners are to get together,brainstorm and talk openly about the challenges ofmodern day business.”
The site is now live at www.bxgonline.conm
Sue Bell, ibrar Akram & Russell Wheeler
P2 TechnologiesA FIRM of IT support specialists inHuddersfield has appointed three newmembers of staff.
Lockwood-based P2 Technologies hasrecruited Sue Bell, Ibrar Akram and RussellWheeler to help its current team manageincreased demand for its services.
Ms Bell takes up a position in sales,following up leads and updating the customerdatabase. She has more than 22 yearsexperience in technology-based sales roles.
Mr Akram joins P2 Technologies as senior ITsupport engineer. Having worked in IT supportroles for more than 12 years, he will beresponsible for ensuring that P2’s customer ITinfrastructure is supported.
Mr Wheeler also joins as senior IT supportengineer with more than 23 years experienceworking for law firm software company Iris,formerly Videss. He will work with the P2service team managing customer IT issuesand installing equipment.
P2 director Martin Page said: “Being aservice business, our staff is our greateststrength. It is great to welcome Sue, Ibrar andRussell to the business. Their combinedexperience and skill sets will benefit P2positively.
“The new additions, will allow us to continueto expand and deliver excellent customerservice throughout 2013 and beyond.”
Firm supportsair ambulanceA CLECKHEATON companyhas raised more than £18,000for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
The cash was raised over thepast two years by staff at Ferno,a world-leading manufacturerof medical equipment to theemergency services.
Staff at the firm have cycled,played football, baked cakesand cooked lunches to raise£18,619.52 for the YAA.
And representatives of thecompany visited the YAA atLeeds-Bradford Airport to cel-ebrate the fundraising and meetthe paramedics to learn abouttheir role as the region’s air-borne life savers.
The YAA is an independentcharity which needs to raise£7,200 each day to stay in theair. It operates two life-savinghelicopters across the Yorkshireregion around the clock.
Staff at Ferno, which has alsodonated emergency medical
equipment to the YAA previ-ously, raised funds throughoutthe year through various initiat-ives.
Ferno managing director JonEllis also cycled hundreds ofmiles in the Pedal for Poundsbike ride organised by Hudders-field Town. In 2011, he cycledfrom Brighton to Huddersfieldand last year pedalled fromYeovil to the Terriers’ JohnSmith’s Stadium.
This year, he will cycle fromHuddersfield through Hull,Scarborough, Harrogate andback to Huddersfield again aspart of the “Keep It Up” cam-paign.
He said: “The team at theYAA does a fantastic job andeveryone at Ferno is very proudto be associated with an organ-isation that saves so many livesin the Yorkshire region.
“Every year colleagues atFerno look for new ways to
raise funds for this very import-ant charity.”
Ferno has been trading formore than 40 years. The com-
pany exports to more than 153countr ies worldwide andemploys 62 staff at its site inCleckheaton.
■ TAKE-OFF: Ferno managing director Jon Ellis (right) with(from left) YAA’s Nicky Mason and paramedics Andy Armitageand Paul Kilner
