KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees21, August , 2012

INSIDE

● Full story - Page 6

● Full story - Page 8

DEBRA TAYLOR-MCLEAN

Co lumn - Page 5City faces a c l i f fhanger

Co lumn - Page 4

An EXAMINER publication

IndustrialprogressTAKE-UP of industrialsites across the UKrose by 40% during thesecond quarter of theyear, a survey hasrevealed. But Yorkshireperformeddisappointingly withjust four deals in thesector for propertiesover 50,000sq ft,according to the latestProperty Times UKIndustrial Report fromagency DTZ. UKindustrial take-upincreased by 40% to8.1m sq ft during thesecond quarter of 2012.

No slip upfor winnerA COMPANYspecialising inproducing personalisedclothing has won abusiness award.Birstall-based BananaMoon Workshop Ltd isthe latest winner of theBusiness of the MonthAward run byHuddersfield law firmEaton Smith. Thecompany was launchedin 1993 by threepartners to focus onthe local schoolwearmarket with in-houseembroidery anddigitising services.

SIMON KAYE

exam

iner

.co.

uk Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

FTSE 100-28 .05

5824.37

Demanding more from non-executivesTHE days of the “wine-swigging,lunch-eating, hobbyist” non-executivedirector are over, a business leader haswarned.

Denby Dale businesswoman Jo Haighsaid non-executive “dinosaurs” facedextinction in the current environmentwhere all hires must add value.

And that meant companies looking toappoint NEDs should be looking forwell-connected and business savvy indi-viduals who understand the complexlegal and governance issues that busi-nesses face.

Said Jo: “First-time NEDs shouldrecognise that the appointment is not aglorified consulting role. It is a serious

legal commitment, carrying the sameliability as any executive director. Afirst-time user of NEDs must understandwhat a NED should and should not beundertaking. The appointment shouldnever be treated as a part-time executiveposition.”

Jo, who is co-founder of CrackingBoards, said: “Having held over 40 NEDpositions in my career, I have seen thegood, the bad and the distinctly ugly.Blame for non-performance is usuallymutually shared between the executivesand non-executives. There are a numberof ways that risks to both parties can besubstantially reduced, if not elimin-ated.”

She said: “A good NED should bemulti-faceted, engaging, respected,well-liked, bringing great contacts andcounsel. In tough times, a good NEDhelps source solutions, supports andchallenges effectively. More importantlythey keep everyone positive, while beingboth objective and realistic.”

Charlotte Mason, Cracking Boards’other co-founder, said: “A weak board isthe top reason why companies fail.Diverse and balanced boards delivermeasurable results through competitiveadvantage.”

She added: “Sadly, the middle class,middle-aged male remains too prevalentin the board mix.”

■ JO HAIGH: Says today’sNED must be multi-faceted

Firm has the rightvehicle to succeedA FIRM working to reduce road acci-dents has sealed a deal to take itstechnology to Ireland.

Huddersfield-based vehicle incidentmanagement company FMG hasannounced the major new contract forits award-winning advanced driverbehaviour management system,Ingenium Dynamics.

The deal sees CRASH, a NorthernIreland-based accident managementand breakdown services company,secure exclusive licensing rights toFMG’s Ingenium Dynamics systemfor its customers across both NorthernIreland and the Irish Republic.

CRASH founder and managing dir-ector Michael McKeown said: “Wehave signed this unique deal withFMG because of the proven ability ofits Ingenium Dynamics solution tochange driver behaviour and increasesafety on our roads.

“In addition to this, the culture oftheir management complements ourown. Our businesses form a perfectpartnership.”

FMG’s Ingenium Dynamics system– which has been lauded byworld-leading transport researchexperts as a highly effective way tomanage driver risk – recently pickedup a prestigious British InsuranceAward in recognition of its tangiblebenefits and helping to pioneer an

industry step change.John Catling, FMG chief executive,

said: “We are delighted to be workingwith CRASH, which has an exception-ally strong presence and customer basein Ireland.

“This is one of a number of agree-ments we have recently signed acrossEurope and beyond.

“It is very exciting to us to beassisting CRASH in bringing thisessential improvement to the Irishmarket.”

Ingenium Dynamics improvesdriver behaviour by making it easier toidentify, manage and remove risk.

The technology collects critical driv-ing data and translates it into relevant,accessible, comprehensive and action-able reports to allow businesses andtheir drivers to make immediateimprovements.

By using the system to improvedriver behaviour, the system can helpvehicle operators reduce their insur-ance premium and incidents, ensurethe organisation meets its duty of care,improve fuel efficiency, keep an eye onmileage and vehicle location, reducecarbon emissions and improve acci-dent management and vehicle recov-ery.

As a result of using the system,FMG’s fleet clients are seeing a reduc-tion in incident claims of between 25%

and 80%.In a separate application of the

technology, loss ratios for a youngdrivers’ insurance scheme – with lead-ing insurer Marmalade – have beenreduced to 40, from a typical industryaverage often in excess of 100%.

Mr McKeown said: “We are lookingforward to this technology bringing itsmany benefits to our customers acrossthe island of Ireland.

“It really is an industry-changing

application and we’re delighted to havethis exclusive licensing contract.”

FMG, based at Bradley Mills, workswith leading blue chip clients includingGE Capital and SIG, parcel deliverygiant DHL as well as Asda, the High-ways Agency, police forces and insur-ance partners like Zurich, QBE,Allianz and Chartis.

FMG deals with more than 250,000incidents every year.

■ EXCITING: CRASH deal is on e of the number of agreements for FMG

Getting in step with safety

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

closed at

Local shares

FTSE

5824.37Down 28.05

closed at

Plea to secure rawmaterial supplies

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.42 dollarsBangladesh................. 120.73 takaBrazil.............................. 2.83 realsCanada....................... 1.48 dollarsChina ............................. 8.92 yuanCzech Republic ...... 29.13 korunasDenmark....................... 9.00 kroneEuro............................... 1.21 euroHong Kong................ 11.56 dollarsHungary ................... 316.44 forintsIndia.......................... 77.03 rupeesJapan........................... 118.81 yenMexico ....................... 18.34 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.81 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.85 kronePakistan.................. 139.54 rupeesPhilippines ................. 57.02 pesosSouth Africa ................. 12.26 randSouth Korea.............. 1553.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 195.93 rupeesSweden....................... 10.01 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.45 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.15 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.66 new liraUSA ............................ 1.50 dollars

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £36.24 -0.42Gannett 1005.16 +7.00Hess Corp £32.08 +0.69Microsoft 1957.79 -9.23Motors Liquidation 47.74Wal-Mart Stores £46.02 +0.20

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 295BAE Systems 3181/4 -41/8Rolls-Royce 849 -16

AIMBrady Plc 92Dawson Intl 3/8Man Brnze 141/2 +3/4

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 224 -21/8

BANKSBarclays 1907/8 -2HSBC 5631/8 -67/8Lloyds Banking Gp 343/8 +1/4Ryl Scotland 2313/4 +1/8Stan Chart 13991/2 -201/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1687 +1/2SABMiller £28

CHEMICALSCroda £241/4 -1/8Elementis 98 2153/4 +13/4Johnsn Mat £231/2 -1/8

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2871/4 -43/4

Costain 2201/4 -43/4ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 4751/4 -71/2SSE 1342 +7

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 2207/8 -13/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3681/8 -1/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 2183/8 -7/8Cable & WirelessComm

341/8 +3/8

Colt Group 1261/4 -11/4KCOM 771/8 -15/8Talktalk Telecom 189 -1/2

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 285 -11/4Sainsbury 3317/8 -5/8Tesco 339 -1

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1313 -1Tate Lyle 652 -2Unilever £223/4 +1/8

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3291/8 -1National Grid 7001/2 -3Pennon Grp 7411/2 -51/2Severn 1745 -3United Utils 719 -21/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2141/4 -15/8ICAP 3333/4 -6

London StockExch 1013 -27Man Group 81 -1/4Provident Financial 1325 +8Schroders 1435 -7Schroders NV 1156 -6

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 6111/2 -1/2REXAM 4363/4 -77/8Smiths Grp 1060 -9

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 221/2 +1/8Carphone Whse 1521/2 -31/4Dixons Retail 171/4 +1/8Home Retail 961/4 +31/4Inchcape 3871/2 -5Kingfisher 2925/8 -3M & S 3631/8 -11/4Mothercare 2211/2 -1/2Next £363/8WH Smith 573 -91/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 665 +3

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 673/4 -21/4Barrat Dev 1521/4 +31/4Persimmon 705 +11Reckitt Benckiser £353/4Taylor Wimpey 517/8 +3/8

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGI M I 914 -15

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 1943/4 -6

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION

BBA Aviation 1891/8 -33/4LIFE INSURANCE

Aviva 325 -33/4Lgl & Gen 132 -1/4Old Mutual 1711/4 +1/4Prudential 808 -10Resolution 2211/2 -41/4Standard Life 2731/2 -3

MEDIABSkyB 770 -3D Mail Tst 4831/2 -11/2HIBU 11/8ITV 843/4 -11/8Johnston Press 61/4 -1/4Pearson 1226Reed Elsevier 578 -21/2STV Group 89Trinity Mirror 411/2 -1Utd Business 6851/2 -5UTV 1311/4 -43/8WPP 8561/2 -4

MININGAnglo American 19141/2 -13Antofagasta 1105BHP Billiton 19501/2 -10Eurasian NaturalRes

357 -123/4

Fresnillo 1494 -30Kazakhmys 7161/2 -231/2Lonmin 610 -291/2Rio Tinto £30 -3/8VEDANTARESOURCES

925 -261/2

Xstrata 9071/2 -313/4MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 5681/2 +91/2Vodafone Group 1863/4 +3/4

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1179 +6RSA Insurance Gp 1131/4 -3/4

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 13101/2 -131/2BP 452 -23/8Cairn Energy 2947/8 -43/8Royal Dutch Shell A £221/2 -1/8Royal Dutch Shell B £233/8 -1/8Total £313/4Tullow Oil 1383 -6

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1113 -9

Petrofac 1471 -19Wood Gp(J) 8351/2 -2

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1375 -11

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGYAstrazeneca £297/8 -1/8GlaxoSmithK XD 1Shire 1952 -28

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 5431/2 +31/2Captl Shop Cent 3321/4 -13/4Hamrsn 459 -1/2Land Secs 8101/2 +3SEGRO 2453/4 -3/8

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 255 +13/8Logica 105 +1/8Sage Group 3025/8 +11/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 525 -4Bunzl 1108 -4Capita 739De La Rue 1064 +7Electrocomp 2301/8 +1Experian 995 -11/2G4S 2683/4 +5/8Hays 823/4 +1/4Homeserve 2273/4 -35/8Menzies J 621 +1Rentokil 783/4 -3/4Smiths News 1131/4 -11/4Wolseley £247/8 -1/2

IT HARDWARE

ARM Hldgs 584 +11/2Psion 871/2 +1/4Spirent Comms 1535/8 -25/8

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £331/4Imperial Tobacco £245/8

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 97 -11/2Carnival £213/4 +1/8Compass Grp 7191/2 +41/2easyJet 545 -21/2Enterprise Inns 561/2 -2FirstGroup 2453/8 -3Go-Ahead Gp 1328 +3Greene King 5761/2 -1Intercontl Htls 1655 -2Intl Cons AirlinesGp

1471/4 -21/2

Ladbrokes 1751/2 +21/4Mitchells & Butlers 2727/8 -2Natl Express 2241/8 +3/4Rank Org 1303/4 -2Stagecoach Group 2961/4 -3/8TUI Travel 2071/8 -41/4Whitbread £211/8 -1/8

INDEXFTSE 100 5824.37 -28.05

INDEXFTSE 250 11563.27 -54.83

Carclo 495 -41/2Marshalls 81 -3/4National Grid 7001/2 -3Weir Gp 1750 -28

Profits upfor BovisHOUSEBUILDER BovisHomes posted a doublingin half-year profits andsaid it expects more biggains, despite toughertrading conditions sinceJune.

The housebuilderincreased its number ofsales outlets by a fifth inthe first half of 2012 –focusing on the morerobust southern market –as pre-tax profits jumpedto £16.2m from £8.1m ayear earlier.

And despite a quieterthan usual summer,Bovis said its profitsshould “continue toincrease significantly” inthe second half of thisyear.

It doubled its half-yeardividend to 3p a share ina sign of its confidence.

Like otherhousebuilders, Bovis isbenefiting from anincreasing proportion ofsales on sites acquired atcheaper prices after thehousing marketdownturn.

Bovis completed 944house sales in the firsthalf of the year – up 18%on a year earlier and withan average sale price of£164,400.

YORKSHIRE firms are optimisticabout prospects for growth, claims asurvey today.

The average company in theregion with a turnover of £20m orless expects to grow its revenue by56% over the next five years – about9% per year – according to newresearch from Santander CorporateBanking.

A quarter of businesses in York-shire are looking to introduce newproducts – while one in 10 say theirbusiness has never been in bettershape.

However, business owners in theregion are more cautious about theirlonger term growth prospects than

they were a year ago when they saidthe average expectation was todouble growth over five years.

Nationally, the average companywith a turnover of up to £20mexpects to grow its revenue by 88%over the next five years.

The trading environment is identi-fied as the biggest challenge facingfirms in Yorkshire & Humberside.

Neil Williams, regional director forSantander Corporate Banking, said:“While business owners in York-shire remain cautious in the shortterm, focusing on survival againstan uncertain economic background,they are clearly optimistic in theirlonger term prospects.”

Yorkshire companies optimistic

SOFT drinks group AGBarr, which makes IrnBru and Tizer, hasnamed former Scottish &Newcastle board memberJohn Nicolson as anon-executive director.

Mr Nicolson, 59, ispresident of HeinekenAmericas withresponsibility for a regionincluding the USA, Braziland Mexico. He will jointhe Barr board with effectfrom January, 2013.

Director

THE Government must take urgentaction to tackle a looming shortage ofraw materials for industry, a group ofbusiness and environmental organisa-tions has warned.

A joint letter to ministers from theMaterial Security Working Group,which includes manufacturers’ bodythe EEF and Friends of the Earth,warns that the UK must develop astronger strategy to keep valuable rawmaterials circulating within the eco-nomy or face “significant con-sequences” for UK industry.

It wants to see the GovernmentsResource Security Action Plan, pub-lished in March, to be strengthenedand its ambitions raised.

The group claims increasing globaldemand coupled with rapidly degrad-ing ecosystems is already putting pres-sure on supplies of some raw materials.The cost of raw materials has risensubstantially in recent years, with com-

modity price rises in the last decadealone wiping out a century-longdecline.

Despite recent fluctuations, materialprices are projected to escalate as threebillion people join the global middleclasses, putting pressure on alreadyfragile and depleted ecosystems.

In future a greater number of mater-ials – from wood, plastic and rubber tothe “rare earth” metals used to makeevery day electronic products andlow-carbon technologies – are likely tobe increasingly costly.

A recent EEF survey found 80% ofsenior manufacturing executives con-sidered limited access to raw materialswas already a business risk and a threatto growth. For one in three companiesit was their top risk.

Among the immediate measures, theorganisations are calling for an Officefor Resource Management to deal withthe crisis consistently; a task force to

review existing targets and recommendpolicy changes to improve recycling;and a ban preventing recyclable mater-ials being sent to “energy from waste”plants and landfills unless there is anenvironmental and economic case fordoing so.

The group are urging ministers tocreate safeguards to ensure that

resources are used more efficiently tocreate and protect tens of thousands ofjobs, minimise environmental degrada-tion and help revitalise the economy.

Gareth Stace, EEF head of climateand environment policy, said: “We livein an age where global demand forresources is surging with prices on anupward trend and concerns aboutshortages mounting.

“Whilst the government’s ResourceSecurity Action Plan was a step in theright direction, it falls short of meetingthe challenges we will face whenobtaining new resources will becomemore difficult and costly.

“Government must now step up itsambitions and produce a bolder planof action that deals with the challengesnot just now but in the longer term.This is vital not just from an environ-mental perspective but to ensure a longterm sustainable future for manufac-turing and the wider economy.”

■ WARNING SIGN: The EEF saidshortages were now a business risk

Casino deal faces probeTHE merger of two of the UK’sbiggest casino operators suffered asetback after being referred for a fullcompetition inquiry.

The planned £205m acquisition of23 Gala Coral sites by Mecca Bingoowner Rank would see it leapfrogMalaysian firm Genting as the UK’sbiggest player, giving Rank’s Gros-venor casino division 57 sites.

But the Office of Fair Trading fearsthe merger will reduce competition ata national level and in nine local areasand has referred the deal to theCompetition Commission for furtherconsideration, despite Rank’s offer todivest of casinos in seven locations.

The OFT said a reduction in com-petition to just two large nationaloperators may result in a worse dealfor consumers.

It said there were high barriers toentry and expansion in the sector,limiting the ability of other players toreplace the loss of competition.

The Competition Commission isexpected to report by February 3 andhas the power to block the dealaltogether.

Rank, which has the Mecca Bingoand Grosvenor Casino complex atFolly Hall in Huddersfield, said lastweek that it hoped to complete thetie-up by the end of September.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

Taylor QualityJoinerySolutions Ltd

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Work: Bespokejoinery manufactur-ing and installationSite: SlaithwaitePhone: 01484847705Email:info@tqjs-ltd.co.ukWebsite:www.tqjs-ltd.co.uk

NickWhiteleyRole: PartnerAge: 45Family: PartnerJulia and sons Ben-jamin, 21, Thomas,19, Joseph, 13 andSamuel, sevenHolidays: Cyprusand FloridaCar: Ford RangerpickupFirst job: Makingchips at Four Lanesfish and chip shopin MarsdenBest thing aboutjob: It is nice nothaving to answer toanyone else – andto have the satisfac-tion of going a goodjobWorst thingabout job: Theuncertain businessclimateBusiness tip:Stay positive

Workcomesfirst forNick!

DOING up the new home willjust have to wait...

Joiner Nick Whiteley andhis partner of 18 years JuliaDyson sold their house tofocus on carrying out theirdream barn conversion.

But they ended up divertingtheir funds into something farless romantic – setting up abusiness – and have put plansfor domestic bliss on hold tolive temporarily in a staticcaravan!

The couple opened TaylorQuality Joinery Solutions Ltdin February this year in9,000sq ft of industrial units atUpper Mills, Canal Side,Slaithwaite.

The joinery manufacturingand installation companyoffers bespoke joinery,shopfitting and contractjoinery – drawing on Nick’sexpertise as anapprentice-trained joiner,Julia’s new-found talentstackling the accountancy andsales side of the business andthe experience of Nick’slong-time friend and businessassociate John Nelson ascontracts manager.

“We started with oneemployee and have alreadyrecruited another,” says Nick.“We hope to employ anapprentice in September aswe are growing steadily andkeeping our heads abovewater in the current climate.

“We took a huge gambleopening the workshop andputting our own home barnconversion on hold to put themoney into the business. Butit seems to have been payingoff.”

Contracts have includedshopfitting the newPoundworld store at thePiazza Shopping Centre inHuddersfield and working onsimilar projects for clothingchains Primark, betting shopoperator William Hill,Mountain Warehouse andAutonomy.

Nick employs reliablesub-contractors to work onschemes across the country,but says: “If the customerwants a man on site inShrewsbury in two hours, wewill have a man on site in twoShrewsbury in two hours –and that might even be me!We have a reputation forgetting the work done anddoing whatever it takes.”

With shopfitting less indemand due to the currentretail sector slump, Nick hasbeen concentrating morerecently on contract joinerywork, including working for anIrish company.

Taylor Quality JoinerySolutions Ltd has also beeninvolved in domestic joinerywork – fitting everything fromdoors and windows tostaircases.

Says Nick: “It has takentime for people to know weare here, but we are gettingmore enquiries in.”

Nick developed an interestin joinery during his days atColne Valley High School. “Iliked woodwork at school,” hesays. “I didn’t particularlyenjoy sitting in a classroom,but I enjoyed the practical sideof things.”

Nick got a place on a youthtraining scheme with builderHenry Boot during itspartnership with KirkleesCouncil to carry out majorrefurbishment projects about

the town. He was placed witha Huddersfield company,Pearson and Micklethwaite,where he was given anapprenticeship, whichincluded day-release atHuddersfield TechnicalCollege’s site at Carr GreenLane, Dalton.

Nick went on to work forRoy C Smith (Joiners) Ltd atMarsden, which took him intothe shopfitting trade – andwork on projects in the UK,Ireland and Europe – as wellas introducing him tosub-contracting.

It’s all been valuableexperience for the newbusiness.

Nick and Julia were huntingaround for premises for thenew business when theyfound a vacant unit at UpperMills.

“This unit had been a sprayshop and has been used formaking plastic windows andstove enamelling,” he says.

“It’s a good size for what weneed and the rent and rates

are reasonable. We boughtthe machinery from acompany in Gomersal, whichhad sadly failed. It’s alwaysthe case that someone’s lossis another’s gain.”

Nick’s Colne Valleycredentials extend beyond theworkplace He has played forSlawit Saracens RugbyLeague Club for almost 10years, mainly playing athooker.

“I was 27 when the teamwas set up and I was askedby a friend in the pub if Iwould play,” he says. “I hadn’tdone much sport since I wasabout 16.

“I’ve sustained a broken legand broken hands. I think theproblem now is that thebigger lads are able to catchme up!”

Nick also enjoys mountainbiking, saying: “There are lotsof tracks around here and Itry to get out once a week.”

Steering a course inbusiness, Nick knows thatnothing is certain in these

recessionary times.The construction industry

and allied trades areparticularly vulnerable to thedownturn.

But he counts himself luckyin having Julia and Johnalongside as the new venturetakes off.

“Julia is the optimistic one,”he insists. “I am a ‘glass is noteven half full’ type of person!Julia has had to learn all theaccountancy software. She’sthe one making the cold callswhen necessary and chasingup the leads.

“I have worked with John atthree companies beforesetting up Taylor QualityJoinery Solutions Ltd and Ihave known him for 20 years.

He has vast experiencewhich I can call on.”

Nick says: “The biggestconcern for anyone inbusiness must be theuncertainty of the currentclimate. We have puteverything into this businessand we have reliable peoplewith families who depend onus.

“But you have to approachthings with a positivemindset. There is no betterfeeling than when you do ajob well and you are workingwith a good set of lads.”

Meanwhile, that barnconversion will get donesome day!

■ JOINT EFFORT: Nick Whiteley (centre) and partner JuliaDyson with commercial manager John Nelson at theSlaithwaite premises of Taylor Quality Joinery Solutions Ltd

On the board with

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

www.revellward.co.uk

Lesley SuttonTax Director

Tax Free RedundancyPayments -

Caution Required!Most people have heard of the tax rulewhich exempts the first £30,000 of aredundancy payment from tax.

But watch out - there is no such blanketrule. The exemption will not apply wherethe entitlement to the payment alreadyexists (whether this be contractual,customary or in place of a bonus).Recent tax tribunal cases suggest thatHMRC is taking a greater interest in

this area.Revell Ward Tip:

Consider redundancy payments carefully,seek advice if you are not sure that it istax free. Remember that HMRC will be

scrutinising the payments too!

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Simon Kaye is divisional director at Investec Wealth & Investment

CITYTALKSimon Kaye

Renewing linksHUDDERSFIELD Town has renewed itspartnership with Halifax-based WilbyLtd for the fourth successive season.The independent insurance broker andrisk management specialists’ distinctivered logo has been a familiar element onthe club’s blue-and-white kit over thelast three seasons.Although the logo does not feature onTown’s shirt this season they willcontinue to work with the club as anofficial partner.Over the first three years of therelationship, the pair have formed apartnership to provide local businessesand supporters with quality,independent advice on their insurancearrangements with a portion of anybusiness written benefiting the clubsacademy.

New Zealanddeal is a firstA CAMPER van conversioncompany has completed along-distance contract.Shepley-based WellhouseLeisure has shipped one of itsHyundai-based vehicles 11,000miles to a customer in NewZealand.The vehicle – complete with Madein Huddersfield sticker – travelledby road from Wellhouse’spremises at Sovereign BusinessPark to Southampton forshipping out.Managing director David Elliottsaid: “The customer contactedus to say he was coming to theUK and planned his holiday so hecould buy a camper van to usewhile he was here – then get itshipped back to Tauranga, whichis two-hours’ drive fromAuckland.“At the same time, Hyundai NewZealand want to see the campervan for themselves. New Zealandonly has a population of fourmillion, but it has a highproportion of camper vans – sothis could become a market forus.”Wellhouse started in 2003 byimporting compact peoplecarriers from Japan and turningthem into camper vans. Startingwith just three staff, the companyhas grown to employ 27 peopleand has opened branches inInverness and Devon.During 2010, Wellhouse Leisureapproached Hyundai Motors witha view to building camper vanswith the motor manufacturer.That led to Wellhouse designingand building vehicles on Hyundaichassis from scratch – with thevehicles making a debut at theNEC Motor Show in Birminghama year ago and winning threemajor industry awards.While the recession has led to a15% fall in annual sales for theindustry, Wellhouse has buckedthe trend to lift salesyear-on-year.Wellhouse is attractingincreasing interest from majorcar producers after itssuccess in taking standard cars,people-carriers and smallcommercial vehicles andconverting them into bespokecamper vans.Said Mr Elliott: “I’m as proud ofmy hometown as I am of myproduct, and I’m determined tomake sure everyone knows that,no matter how far away theymight be.”

■ LOADED UP: WellhouseLeisure's camper van ready for its11,000-mile journey to NewZealand

Just don’t lookover the edgeA COMMON expression among investors

who see stock markets rise in the face of astream of bad news is that the shares are“climbing a wall of worry”.

This neatly encapsulates a key feature of investmentmarkets that the most successful practitioners aregood at exploiting – namely that a degree of cussedcontrarianism is required, since shares are at theircheapest when the reasons for liking them are leastobvious.

At times over the past nine months, so pervasivehave been the concerns about the course of the worldeconomy that, for those involved in share markets ona day-to-day basis it has often seemed that theobstacle to share price appreciation would have beenbetter described as a cliff of despair.

As we are all too well aware, the largest element inthe psychological precipice facing us has been thesystemic crisis in the eurozone.

Even those of us who, through gritted teeth havekept faith that this crisis would be negotiated withoutexcessive damage, have had to accept that the costs ofthe solution in terms of lost economic growth havebeen greater than we had hoped.

It has also become clear that these costs willcontinue to rise, since the plan for long term Eurozonestability has been sketched out, but has not beenratified or credibly implemented.

Furthermore, progress on the currently “accepted”path will carry many political risks for some time tocome.

Consequently, the ashes from the fires in Europehave acted to clog up the twin engines of globalgrowth – America and the Emerging Markets, whoseevident sputtering through the summer has increasedthe challenges that risk takers have had to confrontbefore dipping into share markets.

With super-safe sovereign bond markets signallingan ever more frantic search for “risk-free” assetsamongst the fearful, since mid year risk investors’crampons of contrarian optimism have had to beunusually sharp for share markets to edge higher asthey have done.

However, there is at least one reason to believe thata positive stance on equity risk is now a much lesscontrarian position.

The most obvious of these are the “VIX” volatilityindices, which provide objective measures of thedegree of nervousness amongst equity investors inAmerican and European stock markets.

These are now at very low levels relative to the pastfive years – suggesting a degree of complacency.

This in itself is not a cause for alarm, but must beunderstood as a signal that equity markets are nowmore vulnerable to correction if fundamental devel-opments do not match expectations.

The question for those attempting to anticipatenear term movements in share markets then becomeswhether or not there are reasons to suspect that this isan imminent danger.

At the risk of being charged with insanity inindulging in this seductive but almost invariablyfruitless pursuit – and also of blotting my copybookas a paid-up member of the Pollyanna optimists club– although we remain upbeat about prospects forinvestment markets over the medium term (12-18months), there are a number of factors which suggestto me the potential for a more uncomfortable autumnseason.

Europe is not the focus of my near term concerns –rather a confluence of seasonal and political factorsin America that will make September and October“interesting times”.

Specifically, the third quarter American earningsseason will occur whilst the Presidential electionreaches a crescendo. Corporate earnings only justmatched (reduced) expectations in the second quarterand the global environment has not improved sincethen.

The Presidential election has become as polarisedas any in the post-war period, making remote theprospects for addressing the approaching “FiscalCliff” before it is encountered. In short, I believe bothare likely to test our nerves.

Our view is that the concerns above will provetemporary and that 2013 is more likely to providepositive economic surprises than negative. As a result,for investors rather than for traders, we continue tobelieve that shares in global blue chip companiesremain an attractive prospect.

Seminar seats in demandSEMINAR seats at this year’s KirkleesBusiness Conference are alreadyheading towards limited availability – withstill more than a month to go before theevent.

Building year-on-year, KBC hasbecome a focal point of the localbusiness calendar and 2012’s showpromises to be the biggest yet, accordingto event director Danny Matharu.

Speakers lined up for the KirkleesBusiness Titan’s Panel Q&A sessioninclude Card Factory founder andHuddersfield Town chairman DeanHoyle; Mike Birtwhistle, founder of StoresDirect; Graham Leslie, founder of

Galpharm International; Frogtradefounder Gareth Davies; and Insight withPassion founder Kate Hardcastle.

Alongside the seminars, there is aBusiness Clinic covering social media,Cloud Computing Document Storage andaccess to finance.

The exhibition hall houses more than50 local suppliers and there is just acouple of exhibiting opportunitiesremaining. Kirklees Business Conferenceis part of Kirklees Business Week andtakes place at The Galpharm Stadium onSeptember 27. All places are free todelegates. Go towww.kirkleesbusinessconference.co.uk

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Can your business afford toignore Health & Safety?

With Competent Health andSafety advice from just £25a month you don’t need to

contact us today on01422 358525 or emailhealthandsafety@wilbyltd.co.uk

Wilby Risk Management offer a range ofservices including:

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Who will be the nextBusiness of the Month?If you are proud of what your business has achieved;why not tell us about your success storyand you could be a winner of ourprestigious award.

For further details please contact:Ian Greenwood, Eaton Smith Solicitors,14 High Street, Huddersfield HD1 2HA

T: 01484 821389 E: iangreenwood@eatonsmith.co.uk

Business Of The Month Awards - Rewarding Success Since 1995

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

RISKYBUSINESSDebra Taylor-Mclean

Debra Taylor-Mclean is risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd

Tax warning

Dave books inHOTEL group Best Western has signed afive-month deal with TV channel Dave – in amarketing drive developed with theHuddersfield-based Sharp Agency.Best Western is sponsoring the characters ofDave’s comedy and lifestyle shows as part ofthe hotel group’s Hotels with Personalitymarketing campaign.The deal will see personalities from the hotelcome to life before key programmes such asMock the Week, Man versus Food and QI.It will also be syndicated onto Dave Ja Vu, itsplus one hour showing of the Dave channel.The sponsorship will see sets of 10 secondidents, produced by The Sharp Agency,featuring a selection of the group’s hotels andthe staff working in them telling the stories fromthe hotel.Richard Sharp, of The Sharp Agency, which isbased at the Media Centre, said: “Making theseidents has been a fantastic experience. Meetingand filming the real characters of Best Westernand seeing how their unique personalitiesreflect the brand has been an inspiration.”The characters include Gerry Whitehouse, birdof prey manager at the Best Western BeamishHall Hotel, who is seen in one of the short filmstalking about his past life training cheetahswhile attempting to train an eagle owl.Other figures are John Taylor, head brewer atthe Best Western Beamish Hall Hotel; motherand daughter Jean and Angela Dobbie,breakfast supervisor and receptionist at theBest Western Plus Bruntsfield Hotel; and chefJohn Fleming and barman Scott Morrison, bothfrom the Best Western Cartland Bridge Hotel.Best Western is the largest group ofindependently-owned and managed hotels, with280 across Great Britain. Members are requiredto meet strict criteria and are regularlyinspected to ensure consistent quality andservice.

le – complete with Madeelled

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mingham

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Take steps toimprove safetyWE have a number of clients who

operate engineering or vehicleservice and repair workshops andas such are often asked similarquestions regarding safety foot-wear.

Some employees have a reluctance towear footwear with toe protection andsome employers are reluctant to pay forit.

It is well worth clarifying the legalposition with the following points – alltypes of personal protective equipment(PPE), including safety footwear, gloves,eye protection, hearing protection, coldand wet weather clothing etc. are coveredby the Personal Protective Equipment atWork Regulations 1992.

The employer should assess risks toemployees, visitors, members of the pub-lic etc. in all areas of the workplace,including the workshop.

The employer should assess which riskshave not been adequately controlled byother means and where items of personalprotective equipment are necessary. Suchrisks could be from falling heavy objectssuch as vehicle batteries or crush injuriesfrom trolley jacks or forklift truckwheels.

Specific items of personal protectiveequipment, e.g. safety shoes with toeprotection, should then be identified andthe wearing of this PPE by all peopleexposed to these risks must be enforced.

The employer must provide these itemsof PPE free of charge to employees. It iscommon practice for employees to “top-up” to buy better footwear above thebasic version supplied by the employer,provided the chosen items still provideadequate protection.

The employer must enforce the wearingof the PPE by people exposed to theuncontrolled risks. We recommend regu-lar, recorded checks in the workplace bysupervisors. The regulations do not allowemployees to opt out of this requirementby signing some type of waiver.

The employer must train, inform andinstruct employees on why the PPE isrequired, how it should be worn and

maintained and what to do if defects arenoted. We recommend this basic trainingis given at induction and repeated period-ically and that records are kept. The PPErequirement could even be included inworkplace rules.

Employees must use the PPE asinstructed and report defects if they wantto be exposed to the risks i.e. work in theworkshop.

While these points focus on safetyfootwear, they hold true for all types ofpersonal protective equipment. (Note:There are other legal requirements notcovered by the above list).

We frequently hear “How is it we havenever been told this before?” “The

insurers never required it!” “We havepassed audits before without this rule!”

As in all things, the answer you getdepends on the question asked. Insurancesurveys do not cover every workplaceissue. Some workplace audits have alimited health and safety content and topass the audit does not imply full legalcompliance.

Wilby Risk Management can carry outdetailed audits to check levels of con-formance to legal requirements and bestpractice standards. Relying on other sur-veys or audits can lead to a false sense ofsecurity and leave an employer open toprosecution or compensation claims inthe event of an accident.

SMALL firms in Kirklees have beenwarned to keep taxman fully informed –after a company was threatened with a£10,000 VAT fine for failing to informinspectors that it had changed its name.

The Forum of Private Business hasalso urged entrepreneurs to get in touchwith any other “nasty” experiences of HMRevenue & Customs.

The Forum said the firm whichchanged its name had an exemplaryrecord for VAT payments and submittingtax returns on time.

It was originally hit with a fine of morethan £30,000 under VAT notificationrules.

The value of your investments may go down as well as upand you might not get back the money you’ve put in.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

Take-up ratesremain strong

High life for LindaACTRESS Linda Lusardi haschosen solar panels fromBrighouse-based renewableenergy specialist Ploughcroftfor her home in North London.The former glamour model,who has starred in Emmerdale,Dancing on Ice and The Bill aswell as Brookside, approachedPloughcroft for a quote after afriend had solar panels fittedby the company.She said: “We had seenPloughcroft’s managingdirector Chris Hopkins onBBC’s Dragons Den, where heattracted two investors and weknew that Deborah Meadenand Theo Paphitis wouldn’thave invested in a companythat wasn’t an expert in theirfield.“We liked the fact that they hada background in roofing, so we

were comfortable that theyknew what they were doing andwe wouldn’t have to worry.”Ploughcroft installed a 4kWsystem on the roof of Linda’swest-facing home, which tookjust over half a day to installand started generating an extraincome straight away.Ploughcroft is one of thelargest suppliers of solarphotovoltaic systems in the UKand has designed theindustry’s first Solar Roofingcourse in association with theNational Federation of RoofingContractors, which it deliversto installers across the country.The company supplies solarpanels to domestic projectsand commercial installationsand is an MCS-accreditedinstaller.

■ SOLAR FLAIR: Linda Lusardi with solar panels supplied for herNorth London home by Brighouse-based Ploughcroft

Still on course for growth

■ POTENTIAL: Mike Baugh,director of DTZ's industrial agency inWest Yorkshire

TAKE-UP of industrial sites acrossthe UK rose by 40% during the secondquarter of the year, a survey hasrevealed.

But Yorkshire performed disap-pointingly with just four deals in thesector for properties over 50,000sq ft,according to the latest Property TimesUK Industrial Report from agencyDTZ.

The survey showed that UK indus-trial take-up increased by 40% to 8.1msq ft during the second quarter of 2012compared with the previous threemonths. At the same time, the availab-ility of prime industrial space fell by10% to 18m sq ft.

Investment activity increased to£1.4bn following two large portfoliossales.

A total of 64 deals were transactedin the second quarter, up by 33% onthe first three months of the year.

The average deal size remained rel-atively low at 126,000 sq ft as demandwas constrained by lack of availabilityof good quality stock at this end of themarket.

Total availability fell during thequarter to 143m sq ft – down by 6%from the first quarter.

Grade A take-up fell for the fourthsuccessive quarter as the lack of avail-ability restricted demand and occupi-ers switched their attention to themore abundant good quality grade B

stock.Mike Baugh, director at DTZ in

West Yorkshire, said: “The substantialincrease in take-up of space in thesecond quarter is particularly encour-aging – and although the average size

of transactions has not changedmaterially, this is largely due to thelack of availability of good qualitylarger buildings.

“Despite the recently reported eco-nomic statistics, manufacturing busi-nesses accounted for a third of alldeals, similar to the percentage recor-ded to the previous quarter and off a40% increase in floor area trans-acted.”

In Yorkshire, second quartertake-up was disappointing – reaching320,000 sq ft across four deals.

The largest letting involved DFStaking 135,000 sq ft at Latitude 135 inCastleford.

Grade A availability stands at 3.6msq ft, the second highest level in theUK, although a large proportion islocated in South Yorkshire.

Said Mr Baugh: “Although take-upin Yorkshire for the last quarter wasdisappointing, there are a number ofdeals in solicitors’ hands which havethe potential to deliver over 1m sq ft ofnew take-up this quarter.

“This is very positive news for theregion and even though generallyenquiries have slowed, there are anumber of additional companies cur-rently considering the region, whichwill hopefully lead to further take-upof the steadily diminishing supply ofspeculatively built warehouse andindustrial space.”

A BUILDING company led byBatley-born businessmanLawrence Tomlinson is on coursefor a second successive year ofgrowth.

LNT Construction, part ofLeeds based LNT Group andchaired by Mr Tomlinson, buildscare homes throughout thecountry.

Last year, it built 13 homes forLNT Group’s own Ideal CareHomes brand and other providers– having built 12 homes in 2010.

This year, it will hand over 18homes in total to sister companyIdeal Care Homes and other carehome providers.

With 28 homes in the pipelinefor the next two years, thecompany said it was optimistic itcan maintain its growth andcontinue to buck the currentgloomy trend in construction.Each home has on average 60en-suite bedrooms.

Christine Cooper, managingdirector at LNT Construction,said: “Our whole operation fromhow we acquire sites, planhomes and build puts LNTConstruction in a very strongplace.

“Our design team createattractive desirable homes andwe have brought the mechanicaland electrical divisions in-housewhich gives us complete quality

control as well as economies ofscale.”

To further boost its offer, LNTConstruction’s newest home atNewfield in Castleford, featuresground source heat pumps, solarthermal panels and air sourceheat extraction which exceedsGovernment environmentalstandards set for 2020.

Said Ms Cooper: “We’vefuture-proofed our energysystems until 2020 and speededup the construction process byremoving the need to fit radiators.

“Ideal Care Homes guaranteesa customer for every project, butincreasingly other providers areturning to us.

“We are gaining a nationalreputation for designing andbuilding well-made functionalcare homes that are attractiveplaces to live.”

Said Ms Cooper: “Last month,we signed a nine-home deal withWorcester-based SanctuaryGroup, which bought five existingcare homes and fourdevelopment schemes.”

Ideal Care Homes, whichemploys more than 1,500 people,operates care homes in theNorth and Midlands – includingGreenacres at Meltham,Ashworth Grange at Dewsburyand Lydgate Lodge in Batley

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7

SNOW WARNINGSUMMER’S still here – but Kirklees busi-nesses have been urged to think ahead to thewinter and plan for potentially costly per-sonal injury claims.

Figures from the Compensation RecoveryUnit of the Department for Work and Pen-sions show that the number of people inHuddersfield making claims for personalinjuries during the winter months has rise by28% over the past four years to stand at 51.

This trend is replicated across the UK withclaims rising by 23% nationally betweenNovember and March over the same fouryears.

Winter risk management specialist GRI-TIT said this coincided with unusual weatherpatterns in the UK, which resulted in unpre-dictable levels of snow and ice.

The number of days when the temperaturedropped below zero in Huddersfield hasvaried from 49 in 2011/2012 winter to 65 in2009/2010 winter.

Alastair Kight, managing director of GRI-TIT, said: “Met Office reports have con-firmed that more rain fell this summer thanany other in recorded history and that duringthe winter of 2010/11 Britain recorded itscoldest night with temperatures dropping toa record minus 18.7 in Northern Ireland.

“A new study suggests that these extremeweather events in the last few years may wellbe linked to climate change. So we all need tobe prepared for more extreme weather pat-terns in the future and businesses should beputting measures in place to protect them-selves from the risks, including personalinjury claims.”

The law places responsibility on employers

and owners or occupiers to ensure thatpremises are maintained in a conditionwithout risk of injury. Anything hazardouswhich can be removed, such as snow and ice,must be removed.

In addition to injury claims, insurance maybe compromised if a business cannot provethat it used its “best endeavours” to maintainits premises in a risk-free state.

Mr Kight said that by developing a winterrisk management strategy now, businessescould ensure they had a plan in place tomanage snow and ice on their sites every timethe temperature is forecast to drop belowzero.

“Working with a contractor to provide iceand snow clearance should prevent the needto invest in staff, equipment or systems andtheir insurance can take care of any claims,”he said. “But this needs to be planned inadvance rather than waiting to order theirservices when required.

“With extreme weather on the increase –for example floods, droughts, snow and ice –businesses need to make worthwhile invest-ments which ensure they can deliver theirservices and operate effectively irrespective ofBritain’s weather conditions, or risk paying ahigh price if they are unable to do so.”

GRITIT, founded in 2004, provides spe-cialist gritting and snow-clearance to privateand public companies in the retail, commer-cial, industrial, logistics and health sectors.In an average winter, the company willprovide more than 100,000 service visitsacross the UK from its 92 depots.

■ WINTER WONDERLAND: Pretty as a picture, but firms could end up facing hefty claims for injuries sustained on premises ifsnow and ice is to blame

Guidance offershelp for plannersGUIDANCE to helpplanners and developersbuild new communitiesin growing areas ofYorkshire has beenprovided by the RoyalInstitution of CharteredSurveyors.Since the adoption of thegovernment’s NationalPlanning PolicyFramework, developersand local authorities areincreasingly required todemonstrate thatdevelopments are bothfinancially viable andmeet the needs of thelocal community.However, until now, nouniversally accepteddefinition of “financialviability” has existed –meaning that manyessential projects mayhave been severelydelayed or evendiscontinued.This latest guidance fromRICS provides anobjective and transparentdefinition as to what ismeant by ‘financialviability’ in a planningcontext and will helplocal town planners,developers andcouncillors deliver new,

sustainably-fundedcommunities, in placeswhere people want to live– in line with the NPPF.Without a business casedemonstrating thatproposed projects arefinancially sustainable,new developments willnot take place.Rob Hindle, chairman ofthe RICS Yorkshireregional board, said:“This guidance comes ata critical time for thoseengaged in planning anddeveloping newcommunities.“Since the onset of thefinancial crisis, manyplanners and developershave been seriouslychallenged as to howbest to promote growthand develop localcommunities in a costeffective way.“We hope this guidancewill help all involved indelivering sustainabledevelopments across thecountry to meetcommunity needs as wellas providing anappropriate return forcarrying out thesedevelopments.”

Second success for building societySKIPTON Building Societyhas been declared the BestNational Building Society2012 by What Mortgage.

It is the second year in arow that the UK’s fourthbiggest building society has

been awarded thisprestigious accolade.

The What Mortgageawards celebrate the best inthe UK consumer mortgageand insurance markets, withover 25,000 votes being cast

this year by readers.David Cutter, Skipton’s

group chief executive said:“It’s an honour to win thisaward once, but to receive itfor a second year running isreally special to us.”

The Old Gatehouse

68 New North Road

Huddersfield

HD1 5NE

01484 432043Contact orJason Metcalfe Philip Deakin

Visit our website www.hanson-cs.co.uk

On behalf of the Diocese of Wakefield

5,154 sq ft

Former school adjacentSt Luke’s Church

Residential area approximately ½ milefrom Cleckheaton town centre

Potential for conversion/redevelopment to commercial andresidential uses (subject to planning)

8,421 sq ftSite area approximately2.05 acres

Former school in apredominantly residential area

Potential for conversion/redevelopment for commercialand residential uses(subject to planning)

Close to junction 26 M62

FOR SALE St Luke’s School, Moor Bottom, Cleckheaton

FOR SALEMoorend School,Snelsins Lane, Cleckheaton

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Conference combination

TWO Kirklees based businesses arebehind a series of successful regionalconferences.

Yorkshire Business Conferences andFantastic Media, both based in Birstall,have teamed up to offer businesses in theregion a range of expertise and seminars todevelop trade in the region.

The conferences, launched by eventorganiser Danny Matharu (right) andsupported by Fantastic Media, led bymanaging director Andy Hobson (left), aimto bring thousands of local businessestogether and encourage them to developcommunication and business links –making the region much stronger andcreating and safeguarding more jobs.

Conferences held so far this year inWakefield, Calderdale and Bradford haveproved to be huge successes – with morethan 1,900 visitors and more than 140

exhibitors.Kirklees Business Conference will take

place on Thursday, September 27, as thehighlight of Kirklees Business Week, whichruns from Monday, September 24, to Friday,September 28. Conferences will also beheld in Barnsley and Sheffield.

Fantastic Media, a key partner withYorkshire Business Conferences, is takinga strong presence at the events. It has alsocreated six dedicated websites for eachconference, which have proved extremelypopular with more than 24,868 page visits.

Danny said: “The conferences have beena great success so far and we believe thisis due to the dedicated websites and theenthusiasm of local businesses.”

Andy said: “It is vital for local businessesto work closely together to ensure thatYorkshire remains a successful andprofitable region.”

Martyn Allatt

ThoritePNEUMATIC products andprocess systems distributorThorite has announced a movefor one of its key personnel.

Engineer Martyn Allatt(pictured) has transferred fromthe firm’s Huddersfield depot toits site in Leeds.

Mr Allatt, 50, joined Thoritethree years ago as key accountmanager based at the Huddersfield sales andservice centre on Barge Street.

His new responsibilities will focus onproviding application support and technicaladvice on pneumatic controls, circuit design,electric drives, energy-saving, process controland hydraulics to manufacturing and processingindustries in the Leeds area as well as seekingnew business opportunities.

Mr Allatt was born in the UK, but moved toSouth Africa at the age of 12 and later gained adegree in mechanical engineering fromWitwatersrand University in Johannesburg. Heworked as an engineer with De Beers DiamondMines before returning to the UK and workingfor leading companies including Atlas Copco,Norgren and Parker Electrical Drives.

Enjoying fruitsof their laboursA COMPANY specialising inproducing personalised cloth-ing has won a business award.

Birstall-based Banana MoonWorkshop Ltd is the latest win-ner of the Business of theMonth Award run by Hudders-field law firm Eaton Smith.

The company was launchedin 1993 by three partners tofocus on the local schoolwearmarket with in-house embroid-ery and digitising services.

During the late 1990s – ase-commerce became morewidely used – the family busi-ness became one of the first inthe UK in this field to tradethrough a website.

And as the market opened up,the company entered into newsectors, including armed forcestour wear, school and collegeuniforms, work and corporatewear and clothing for danceclubs.

The firm moved into newpremises in 2009 – since then ithas doubled its workforce andtaken on two apprentices.

Where possible, Banana

Moon uses local suppliers for allits web development, screenprinting technology, searchengine marketing and otheroffice supplies such as account-ancy and legal work.

The judging panel felt thatBanana Moon should be com-mended for thriving during dif-ficult economic times aftertaking the brave decision toinvest in new premises andstate-of-the-art technologywhich has resulted in a signific-ant increase in the number ofusers to its website and a doub-ling of turnover between 2009and 2012.

Marketing director AlexGrace said: “We are delighted toreceive the Eaton Smith Busi-ness of the Month Award.

“For us it is recognition of thehard work and investment wehave put in to drive forward intough times. We are very grate-ful to Eaton Smith and thejudging panel for choosing usfor the award.”

The award is run in associ-ation with the Mid Yorkshire

Chamber of Commerce andUKTI. It is open to firms inCalderdale, Kirklees and Wake-field.

Contact Ian Greenwood atEaton Smith on 01484 821389for more information.

■ SHINE ON: Alison Palmer (centre), of Eaton Smith, presentsthe award to Banana Moon's Alex Grace (second right) and PaulGrace (right) with guest judges Heather Guile, of UKTI, andRoger Underwood, of Eastwood & Partners

Andrew Marsden

BrearleysSolicitorsA SOLICITOR based in Batley has completedhis training to qualify as a civil and commercialmediator.

Andrew Marsden has been with BrearleysSolicitors for more than 20 years and has awealth of experience in litigation and disputes.Becoming an accredited civil and commercialmediator adds another dimension to thepractice he has developed and expanded inBatley and the local area.

Mr Marsden said: “In these increasinglydifficult financial times, it is important thatpeople have access to alternative and – moreoften than not – considerably cheaper optionswhen it comes to resolving conflicts anddisputes.

“Whilst still a relatively new service, civil andcommercial mediation is quickly gainingpopularity at all levels, in particular withbusinesses to help reach a quick andsatisfactory solution to disputes.”

Matt Low & Philip Raven

The LNT GroupTWO top-level appointments have beenannounced by the Batley-born founder andchairman of the Leeds-based LNT Group.

Matt Lowe and Philip Raven have joined thesenior team to work alongside LawrenceTomlinson in driving the group ofinternationally-trading businesses forward.

Mr Lowe joins as group commercial director.He was previously regional director for the RoyalBank of Scotland in the North and East. MrRaven becomes group company secretary. Hehas been a partner at law firm Freeth Cartwrightfor the last 12 years.

Mr Tomlinson said: “Both Matt and Philip bringgreat strengths and experience to ourestablished senior team. Their appointmentreflects the growth and ambition of the group,which has been consistently recognised asbeing amongst the fastest growing in thecountry.”

Distributionfirm in link-upA DISTRIBUTION company hasmade a special delivery – bylinking up with Huddersfield Town.

The club has sealed acommercial partnership withBradford-based ExpectDistribution. As part of the deal,Expect Distribution plans to liveryone of its lorries in HuddersfieldTown colours.

Town commercial director SeanJarvis said: “As every HuddersfieldTown fan knows, our 10-pointpledge lies at the heart ofeverything we do and it is great toteam up with another businessthat shares our core values.

“Expect prides itself onperformance, reliability and trustand as such there is a lot ofsynergy between the twoorganisations.”

Expect Distribution operationsdirector Neil Rushworth said:“After supporting the club for manyyears personally and as abusiness, I am thrilled for ExpectDistribution to become an officialpartner of Huddersfield Town.

“The club is extremelyprogressive and ambitious and thepartnership will provide Expectwith some excellent businessopportunities, whilst watchinggreat Championship football

“The specially-designed Towntrailer will have a high impact onthe roads of the UK and we can’twait to get the wheels rolling.”