kbn dec 4 2012

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees4, December, 2012

INSIDE

● Full story - Page 8

● Full story - Page 6

PATRICK ALLEN

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

Think before you tweet !Co lumn - Page 5

An EXAMINER publication

HealthyoptionsYORKSHIREAmbulance Service hasbeen named one of thenation’s topapprenticeshipemployers. The servicewon the apprenticeemployer of the yearcategory at theRegional ApprenticeAwards – and followedthat up by being namedone of the top 100 inthe country by theNationalApprenticeshipService. Theannouncement came atthe Skills Awards inBirmingham.

RecoverypositionTAXES on emptycommercial propertiesare crippling hopes ofrecovery, it is claimed.A survey by the RoyalInstitution of CharteredSurveyors showed thatalmost 90% ofmembers in the northof England believe thatcharges imposed onpremises such asshops and offices aresignificantlyundermining theregion’s economicrecovery.

ANDREW FIRTH

exam

iner

.co.

uk Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

FTSE 100+ 4.425871.24

Companies neglect the value of being onlineYORKSHIRE firms are missing outon big business opportunities by fail-ing to make best use of the internet, itis claimed.

A survey by Lloyds Banking Groupshowed that more than a third of smalland medium-sized businesses in thenorth are not online – and risk stuntingtheir future growth as a result – despiteevidence of marked improvements inbusiness productivity when SMEsbecome digitally literate.

Business benefits include savingtime, increased sales and wider cus-tomer reach when the internet is used

for day-to-day business interactions.Lloyds Banking Group is a founder

member of Go ON UK – an initiativewhich aims to make the UK the mostdigitally capable nation. The surveycoincides with the launch of the GoON’s new Digital Skills Charter.

The survey showed that 37% ofSMEs in the UK still do not have awebsite and one in five are “deliber-ately disconnected” from the internet.The research shows that 30% of SMEsare not developing their use of theinternet in any way.

Just over a quarter of SMEs have an

advanced website, including mobileapplications, to help serve their cus-tomers and employees. These busi-nesses are aware of the commercialbenefits of having a strong digitalpresence.

Among businesses that improvetheir digital use, 78% said it saved timewhile 62% said it attracted customersthrough effective marketing. Some54% reported improved levels of cus-tomer interaction and service andwider geographic coverage while 54%saw cost savings, 51% reportedincreased sales and 36% enjoyed sim-

plified payment processing.Martyn Kendrick, area director for

Lloyds TSB Commercial in Yorkshire,said: “There is no avoiding the fact thatthe internet is part of everyday life andis an essential ingredient of businessgrowth.

“This research shows that manySMEs are still not embracing digitaltechnology, often because they don’tbelieve there are benefits to be had.

“But it is clear that when businessesdo go digital, the rewards comequickly.”

Town missing outin funding stakesHUDDERSFIELD is lagging behindits Yorkshire neighbours when itcomes to funding for business.

More than £82m of lending has nowbeen secured from NatWest and RBSby businesses in the region under theGovernment’s Funding for Lendingscheme.

But a league table produced by thebanks shows Huddersfield trailing inwhen it comes to receiving finance –eighth out of 10 locations in Yorkshireand 82nd out of 104 in the UK.

Nationally, Sheffield is third with£26m of funding accessed by the city’sbusinesses while York is eighth.

More than 4,000 small andmedium-sized businesses across theUK have secured £1bn in finance fromNatWest and RBS since August 1.Yorkshire accounts for 10% of thetotal UK demand seen by the twobanks.

Peter Ibbetson, small business chair-man at Royal Bank of Scotland, calledon everyone to work together to stim-ulate growth in the UK economy andhelp businesses thrive all around thecountry.

He said: “The solution for the eco-nomic situation we’re in lies witheverybody: it lies with the politicians,the media, the banks and the busi-nesses to work together and there isone word at the heart of all this, andthat’s confidence.

“We need confidence back in thehigh street and cheap finance is one

way to build confidence. At NatWestand Royal Bank of Scotland, we’resaying to businesses now is the righttime to invest and these are thecheapest rates I have seen in my bank-ing career.”

Tony Kelly, managing director ofNatWest Commercial Banking in theNorth of England, said: “£1bn toSMEs across the UK is a pleasingmilestone but I always want more herein Yorkshire.

“We’re seeing demand differ signi-ficantly from town to town and I’durge any business looking for finance

to get in touch and we can see if theFFL scheme can help you.”

“We’re focused on helping our cus-tomers meet their ambitions, we’reputting our relationship managersthrough a unique external accredita-tion programme with bespoke trainingfor dealing with different types ofbusiness and we’re all going out two orthree times a year to work directly foran SME to get a feel for the challengesthose businesses are facing right now.

“That shift in culture, along withcheaper finance, is key to us helpingbusinesses think about growth.”

Meanwhile, Santander UK said itscorporate and commercial bankingarm increased lending to SMEs inYorkshire by 43% in the year to the endof September.

In total, SMEs in the region received£368m of new funding during theperiod – supported by the Funding forLending initiative.

Santander accessed the first trancheof £1bn – out of the £9.4bn for which itis eligible – from the Funding forLending scheme in July this year.

During the year, Santander alsorecruited 24 new staff in the region,including relationship directors andproduct specialists to improve its ser-vice to businesses.

Neil Williams, regional director forSantander Corporate Banking inYorkshire, said: “We are delighted tohave been able to support even morebusinesses in Yorkshire this year, par-ticularly smaller businesses which areso vital for economic recovery andgrowth.

“There are some fantastic busi-nesses in our region and we are proudto be providing not only funding but,more importantly, a committedlong-term banking partnership withmore of our local strong and growingcompanies.”

Marcelino Castrillo, head of SMEbanking, said: “Santander is stronglycommitted to SME banking and weare actively growing our business toincrease our support for businesses.”

■ TIME TO INVEST: Peter Ibbetson, chairman of small business banking forthe RBS & NatWest group

The innovation game

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national

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Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.46 dollarsBangladesh................. 122.98 takaBrazil.............................. 3.06 realsCanada....................... 1.52 dollarsChina ............................. 8.93 yuanCzech Republic ...... 28.55 korunasDenmark....................... 8.73 kroneEuro............................... 1.17 euroHong Kong................ 11.79 dollarsHungary ................... 309.95 forintsIndia.......................... 77.09 rupeesJapan........................... 125.60 yenMexico ....................... 18.48 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.82 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.67 kronePakistan.................. 145.71 rupeesPhilippines ................. 56.12 pesosSouth Africa ................. 13.39 randSouth Korea.............. 1513.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 195.69 rupeesSweden....................... 10.19 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.41 francsTaiwan ...................... 40.72 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.70 new liraUSA ............................ 1.53 dollars

Carclo 442 -1/4Marshalls 100 -1/4National Grid 701 -4Weir Gp 1877 -13

Gabby’s boardroom roleSPORTS broadcaster Gabby Loganjoined the ranks of female directors atBritish companies with a boardroomrole at FTSE 250 Index companyPerform.

As one of the UK’s leading sportsjournalists, with commitmentsincluding BBC’s Match of the Dayand its Six Nations Rugby coverage,the sports media business said ithoped to tap into her knowledge ofthe sports world.

Perform, which floated on the stockexchange in 2011, distributes sportscontent such as video to more than athousand partners, including book-

makers and football club websites. Italso owns Goal.com, the largest foot-ball portal in the world by monthlyusers and page views.

Chairman Paul Walker said theappointment will boost the com-pany’s content distribution businessas it taps growing demand for onlinemedia.

He added: “We are looking forwardto working with Gabby and are con-fident that Perform will benefit fromher expertise as it continues to buildon the success achieved to date.”

The group is based in Feltham,London.

Gloomy news onthe way for TescoA TRADING update from retail giantTesco tomorrow will shine the spotlighton the supermarket sector this weekahead of the all-important Christmasseason.

Tesco is expected to report salesslipping back into the red in its thirdquarter as rivals turn up the heat on theUK’s biggest supermarket chain.

The grocery giant gave hope of bettertrading last month when it saidlike-for-like sales had edged 0.1%higher in its second quarter, followingsix quarters in a row of falling sales.

But analysts are forecasting theupdate to show a return to salesdeclines as general merchandisecontinues to take a hit.

Fierce competition between themajor players has seen Tesco lose mar-ket share in recent months, with smaller

rival Sainsbury’s in particular piling onthe pressure.

Tesco reported its first drop in UKprofits for two decades last monthwhen half-year figures revealed a 12%fall to £1.1 billion.

Recent figures from Kantar World-panel showed Tesco’s market share slip-ping from 31% to 30.5% in the 12 weeks

to October 28.A resurgent Sainsbury’s saw its mar-

ket share rise to 16.8% as it benefitedfrom its Paralympics sponsorship andinvestment in cheaper own-brandproducts.

Tesco has been fighting back withtargeted offers, using the data collectedthrough its Clubcard promotion, while

Debt surge for water companyTHE UK’s biggest water companyreported a slide in half-year profitsas more recession-hit customersstruggled to pay their bills.

The London and Thames Valleysupplier said customer bad debtsgrew £8 million on a year earlier to£33.4 million in the six months toSeptember 30 and were expected toreach £70 million by its year end.

It was also hit by declining con-sumption during the wet summerand earlier hosepipe ban, but reven-ues still improved 6% to £902.7 mil-lion after it was allowed by theregulator to increase prices by 6.7%in April.

Underlying profits declined by

6.5% to £311.8 million and bot-tom-line profit fell by 13% to £127.6million.

Thames Water, which has 14 mil-lion customers, attracted criticismearlier this year for paying a £74.5million dividend to its shareholdersbut no tax.

The business, which is controlledby a private consortium of investors,said today it continued to benefitfrom allowances on investment,meaning it can delay its tax bill to alater period.

Thames Water now has nearly £1billion of deferred tax liabilities onits balance sheet.

Pickfordsis savedPICKFORDS – the400-year-old removalcompany at the heart ofa Channel 5documentary series –has been bought out ofadministration.

The firm wasimmediately bought backby directors YogeshMehta and TimothyRomer under a newshell company calledPickfords MoveManagement in a movethat preserves 900 jobs.

The company tracesits roots back to the 17thcentury when thePickfords of Adlington,Lancashire, entered thewagon trade.

Output isshrinkingMANUFACTURINGoutput shrank for theseventh month in a rowlast month, a closelywatched survey revealed.

But the pace of declinewas slower thanexpected.

The latest Markit/CIPSpurchasing managers’index (PMI) produced aheadline reading of 49.1for November, animprovement on 47.3 inthe previous month butbelow the 50 mark thatseparates expansionfrom contraction.

Economist SamuelTombs said: “The smallimprovement inNovember does little tochange the fundamentalpicture of a strugglingindustrial sector.”

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £34.84 +0.11Gannett 1113.87 +1.86Hess Corp £30.91 +0.09Microsoft 1647.51 -5.90Motors Liquidation 46.59Wal-Mart Stores £44.56 -0.18

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 3491/2 -41/2BAE Systems 3283/4 +13/8Rolls-Royce 9051/2 +15

AIMBrady Plc 1011/2Man Brnze 9

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2213/8 -5/8

BANKSBarclays 2443/8 -15/8HSBC 6357/8 -13/4Lloyds Banking Gp 453/4 -3/4Ryl Scotland 2925/8 -25/8Stan Chart 1466 +11

BEVERAGESDiageo 1860 +3SABMiller £281/4

CHEMICALSCroda £235/8 -1/8Elementis 98 223 +1Johnsn Mat £24

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2551/4 -31/8Costain 249 +163/4

ELECTRICITYDrax Gp 5411/2 +1/2SSE 1429 +4

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 2201/4 -21/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3753/4 +7/8

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 2323/8 -11/8Cable & WirelessComm

351/8 +3/8

Colt Group 101 +1/2KCOM 681/4 -1/8Talktalk Telecom 220 +5/8

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2661/4 -25/8Sainsbury 3363/4 -43/4Tesco 3221/2 -25/8

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1482 +4Tate Lyle 770 -3Unilever £24 -1/8

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3281/2 +25/8National Grid 701 -4Pennon Grp 6221/2 +31/2Severn 1616 +1United Utils 685 +31/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2111/4 -3/8ICAP 2931/4 +13/4London StockExch 9751/2 -2Man Group 77 +1/4

Provident Financial 1300 +13Schroders 1621 +25Schroders NV 1306 +1

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 607 -6REXAM 4373/4 +1/8Smiths Grp 1097 +2

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 271/4 -1/4Carphone Whse 195 -31/2Dixons Retail 27 -1/2Home Retail 1113/4 +1/8Inchcape 4291/8 +11/2Kingfisher 2751/4 -23/4M & S 3893/4 -7/8Mothercare 3083/4Next £363/8 -1/4WH Smith 6471/2 -21/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6621/2 +5

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 681/2 -1/4Barrat Dev 1971/8 +2Persimmon 7931/2 -71/2Reckitt Benckiser £395/8 +3/8Taylor Wimpey 611/2 +1/2

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGI M I 1060 +6

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 2207/8 +13/4

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 2111/2 -21/4

LIFE INSURANCE

Aviva 3503/4 +1/4Lgl & Gen 1453/4Old Mutual 1713/4 +3/8Prudential 8971/2 -71/2Resolution 2393/4 +21/8Standard Life 3221/8 +21/8

MEDIABSkyB 772 +13D Mail Tst 529 +2HIBU 1/4ITV 1003/8 +11/2Johnston Press 133/4 +1/4Pearson 1195 +17Reed Elsevier 6501/2 +8STV Group 1021/4Trinity Mirror 871/4 +51/4Utd Business 737 +1UTV 128 -13/4WPP 856

MININGAnglo American 17421/2 +10Antofagasta 1287 -1BHP Billiton 19651/2 +31/2Eurasian NaturalRes

268 -21/4

Fresnillo 1989 +1Kazakhmys 7151/2 +2Lonmin 2593/4 +15/8Rio Tinto £311/4 +1/4VEDANTARESOURCES

1064 -7

Xstrata 10331/2 -1/2

MOBILE TELECOM SERVICESInmarsat 5891/2 +2Vodafone Group 1607/8 -1/4

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1131 +12RSA Insurance Gp 1191/4 +13/4

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 10701/2 +1/2BP 4301/8 -11/2Cairn Energy 2657/8 -23/4Royal Dutch Shell A £207/8 -1/8Royal Dutch Shell B £211/2Total £311/4 +1/8Tullow Oil 1371 -6

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1053 +9Petrofac 1637 +9Wood Gp(J) 776 -1

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1286 -1

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGYAstrazeneca £293/4 +1/8GlaxoSmithK XD 101/2Shire 1811 +5

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 554 +4Captl Shop Cent 3433/4 -13/4Hamrsn 475 +33/4Land Secs 8141/2 +61/2SEGRO 240 +33/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 3161/4 +3/4Sage Group 3141/2 +27/8

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 580Bunzl 1037 +8Capita 768 +51/2De La Rue 970 +71/2Electrocomp 2093/4 -7/8Experian 1046 +9G4S 2491/4 +2Hays 775/8 -1/8Homeserve 2441/8 +43/8Menzies J 590 -101/2Rentokil 90Smiths News 1503/4 +11/4Wolseley £285/8 -3/8

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 7701/2 -31/2Spirent Comms 150 -5/8

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £327/8 +1/8Imperial Tobacco £251/4 +1/4

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 109Carnival £251/4Compass Grp 724 +3easyJet 7271/2 +12Enterprise Inns 90 +4FirstGroup 1837/8 -23/4Go-Ahead Gp 1232Greene King 610 -2Intercontl Htls 1671 +3Intl Cons Airl 1711/4 +25/8Ladbrokes 195 +1/4Mitchells & Butlers 3091/4 +1/8Natl Express 1721/4 -13/4Rank Org 139 -31/2Stagecoach Group 2907/8 -15/8TUI Travel 269 -21/4Whitbread £24

■ PROMOTIONS: Tesco has been fighting back with targeted offers

also driving sales through its onlinegrocery business.

But the group is expected to havesuffered from falling non-food sales inthe third quarter, which will offset a risein grocery sales, according to experts atNomura.

Nick Coulter, Nomura retail analyst,is pencilling in a 0.9% fall inlike-for-like sales, excluding VAT andfuel, in Tesco’s third quarter.

Keith Bowman, equity analyst atHargreaves Lansdown, said Tesco mayalso be suffering from “a policy not tochase sales of lower margin items, par-ticularly in the electrical arena”.

Tesco’s international arm is alsounder pressure after the division – oncethe driving force behind the group –saw profits fall to £378m.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile

Patrick Allen

3M BuckleyInnovationCentre

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Managing director

Age: 51

Family: Married to Amandawith sons William, eight, andFreddie, six

Holidays: Greece

Car: Volkswagen Golf

First job: Working on myuncle’s fruit and veg stall

Best thing about job:Putting a team together andseeing the excitement theyget from being successful. Itis a very proud moment.

Worst thing about job:Seeing someone try reallyhard and not have things gotheir way. The disappoint-ment they feel can be quitetouching

Business tip: Have thecourage of your convictions

Work: Growing businesses

Employs: Six

Site: Firth Street,Huddersfield

Phone: 01484 473331

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.3mbic.com

Patrick takescentre stage!

HE has worked forbusinesses of all typesand sizes.

Now Bury-born PatrickAllen – who served his“apprenticeship” on hisuncle’s fruit and veg stalland went on to a seniorrole with the Co-op – hasembarked on a newchallenge in the heart ofHuddersfield.

Patrick, 51, has beenappointed managingdirector of HuddersfieldUniversity’s £12m 3MBuckley InnovationCentre – with the task ofhelping companiesranging from start-upsand SMEs to majorcorporations become trueworld-beaters.

The centre, which is setto open its doors officiallyin the new year, aims towork with companies todevelop new products,access finance andexpand in to new marketsin order to boost theirown business, create jobsand bolster the economy.

The centre at FirthStreet will draw on theexpertise of theuniversity’s academic andresearch arms, an arrayof hi-tech equipment anda team of experiencedmentors to help firmsmeet the challenges theyface developing theirbusinesses.

Taking the role ofmanaging director of3MBIC is a challengePatrick relishes. “It’s thechallenge of doingsomething new,” he says.“I’ve been given theopportunity to work withcolleagues who areprofessionals in their ownfields and by workingtogether develop a uniqueconcept.

“It is about buildingrelationships with thecompanies we want tobring in here. It’ssomething I have done inthe past – buildingrelationships with supplychains and customers.Because of mybackground, I can alsoempathise withbusinesses of all sizes –start-ups, smallbusinesses and largerorganisations.”

Patrick says: “I grew upin Bury and all my familywere running their ownbusinesses. My first jobwas running a fruit andveg stall in Bury with myuncle. It gave me a greatgrounding.”

Patrick left the familybusinesses for academia.Having gained a degreein philosophy and socialpsychology, he realisedan ambition to become auniversity lecturer. Healso gained an MBA andwent on to joinaccountancy firm ParnellKerr Forster in itscorporate advertisingdepartment beforemoving to Electronic DataSystems in London.

He returned to thenorth to run his ownmarketing consultancyand soon found thingswere less simple. “One ofthe major problems washaving ‘credibility’,” he

says. “People knewPatrick Allen representingPKF or Electronic DataSystems, but Patrick Allenrepresenting PatrickAllen? Who’s he?”

Gaining his PhD atBradford University helpedin the credibility stakes –landing him globetrottingroles for clients includingAllied Domecq, Emiratesand IBM.

The next change indirection came with aninvitation from clientYorkshire Co-operatives tojoin the business – amove which eventuallysaw Patrick appointedmarketing director forUnited Co-operatives,where he helped buildturnover from £300,000 to£2.5bn in three years.

On its merger with theCo-operative Group,Patrick became executivedirector of marketing andplayed a key role inreviving what had becomea tired brand – helping tobuild a £14bn turnoverbusiness with one of thehighest profiles in

corporate Britain.The Co-op group’s

market share rosedramatically from aposition outside the top 50of British retailers to aplace in the top six. Heheaded a 450-strong teamwhich helped the retailerachieve the ranking ofsixth most valuable retailbrand in 2009. He wasalso voted Marketer of theYear in 2010 by DrumMagazine.

Patrick is aiming torepeat that success at the3MBIC, where he hopes tohelp “create a culture forgrowth”.

“As business people,you are so busy that younever get the chance to liftyour heads up to seewhat’s happening aroundyou,” he says. “By buildinga community network ofcompanies big and smallwe aim to help clients togrow their businesses andgenerate more jobs.

“We don’t open officiallyuntil the new year, but weare building our marketingprogramme. As people

see the building andask what it’s all about,we are already takingtenancy agreements.”

Patrick says the roleof the university wascrucial to the successof the project. “It is agreat testament to BobCryan, the universityvice-chancellor, and hisvision for a wideruniversity,” he says.“We sometimesunder-estimate thecontribution of theuniversity to the localeconomy. Theuniversity in a businessitself, contributing£200m a year to theeconomy.

“HuddersfieldUniversity is anexemplar of how to getout into the community.It has researchcontracts withorganisations such asNetwork Rail andemployer partnershipswith local firms –partnerships which willalso come into theirown in this centre.”

Says Patrick: “It isnot just aboutintellectual capacity, itis about appliedcapacity – for examplehow things like neutronbeams can be appliedto help companiesdevelop products. It’sabout bringing togetherinvention andcommercialisation –and the centre is acrucible for that.”

Helping mastermindthe launch of the3MBIC keeps Patrickmore than busy, but hestill finds time for hislove of sport.

Patrick, who lives at

Harrogate, coachesRipley Rocketsunder-sevens footballteam. His six-year-oldson Freddie plays for theteam while older sonWilliam, eight, is in theunder-nines. “It’s greatfun,” says Patrick. “Youdon’t have to think aboutanything other thanteaching football. Theycome off the field smiling.It’s about them enjoyingthemselves and beingthe best they can be.That’s no a badphilosophy for what wedo at the centre.”

Patrick played footballfor university sides andrugby for LondonScottish. He says: “I’mstill tempted to pull onthe boots occasionally,but my wife Amanda isn’tso keen on me gettingmy nose broken! I stillplay squash and do gymwork to keep fit. It getsharder every year, butyou have to keep at it!Living in the YorkshireDales, I also enjoywalking.”

Patrick says:“Television for me meanssport. The LondonOlympics was great andit still brings a lump to mythroat to watch the medalceremonies – seeingthese athletes who haveworked so hard for fouryears and how that hardwork suddenly boilsdown to that 10-secondsprint or that one eventmakes me quiteemotional.”

■ DRIVING FORCE: Patrick Allen, managing director ofHuddersfield University’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

EMPLOYER’SBRIEFNeil Wilson

Award for Parker HannifinA DEWSBURY firm has joined an elitegroup of businesses.

Parker Hannifin’s Racor FilterDivision Europe, which specialises inengine filtration and fuel delivery, wonthe EEF North East Region Green andGrowth Award in the EEF FutureManufacturing Awards 2012.

The company was recognised for itsresearch and development into waysfor engine manufacturers to reducenitrogen oxides, hydrocarbon andparticulate emissions.

The SuperImpactor crankcaseventilator, a high performance emissioncontrol system, is the result of thiswork. It eliminates environmentalpollution while maintaining engineperformance and is a smaller, lighterand more economical system, withhigher efficiencies than its closest rival.

The innovative system hasincreased business growth in Europe,Middle East and Asia markets by 7% inthe last year – with future growthpredicted to be more than 20%.

The annual business awards arehosted by EEF, the UK manufacturers’organisation, and recognise excellencein enterprise, innovation,environmental performance and skillsdevelopment among UKmanufacturers.

Andy Tuscher, EEF regional directorfor the North, said: “Manufacturing isvital to economic recovery andcompanies like Parker HannifinManufacturing are setting thebenchmark for success. They have

seized the business opportunitiesoffered by the green agenda and arehelping towards the UK’s effort to builda low carbon economy.Congratulations to their entire team onthis impressive success.”

The judges praised Parker HannifinManufacturing, saying: “Theirs is aclear story of managed innovation thatnot only addresses the green agenda,but also a commercial one. Bymanaging customer expectations and

habits, this company has beensuccessful in taking to market anemissions reducing product thataddresses a long-term, global issue.”

Parker Hannifin Manufacturing willgo forward to compete against otherregional winners from across the UK inEEF’s National Awards final onJanuary 31, 2013, in London.

The SuperImpactor project waspart-financed by the EuropeanRegional Development Fund.

■ ENGINE ROOM: Nick Linklater (left), of award sponsor ENER-G, with (fromleft) Adam Pearce and Adrian Mincher, of Parker Hannifin, and EEF’s JuneSmith

Matchless showby Mirfield agencyA SOCIAL marketingcampaign to helppeople quit smokinghas proved anaward-winner.Mirfield-based brandmarketingconsultancy,Purebrand, won anational award fromthe British Heart

Foundation and organisers of nationalNo Smoking Day for its campaign, QuitTogether Peterborough.The campaign, which used Facebook toencourage smokers to support eachother to kick the habit, beat more than 80other entries to land the category forBest Media Coverage in the British HeartFoundation’s No Smoking Day Awards2012.Purebrand was appointed by NHSPeterborough to help encourage the onein four smokers in the city to quit.Purebrand managing director SimonRyan (pictured) said: “Whilst the realvalidation for what we’ve created is inseeing the way that smokers haveengaged with the campaign, it’s alsogreat to get national recognition for thehard work the team here at Purebrandput in to making Quit TogetherPeterborough a success.“Our goal is to be known as a marketingagency that delivers results and thisaward will help us to achieve thatreputation.”Duncan Bannatyne, ambassador for NoSmoking Day, said: “Purebrand showedbags of energy and creativity in the wayit helped inspire smokers to quit on NoSmoking Day – and I hope otherorganisations will take up the mantle nextyear and follow their outstandingexample.”

Manufacturingin the spotlightMANUFACTURING firtheir latest developments aorganised by the CalderKirklees Manufacturing AllianceAnd Huddersfield MP BarSheerman expressed his supporlocal manufacturers when he gaddress to guests aat the Briar Court Hotel,Birchencliffe.CKMA put the focus on companiesthat have successfully grdeveloped their orgthrough exporting – and habenefited from the help and supporof the UKTI international trservices.Ian Farquhar, manawind energy at LockwDavid Brown Gear Systems Ltd, gthe 41 attendees a fascinainsight into how the company hasdeveloped into the wind energmarket and outlined the eopportunities that this prthe future.Rosehill Polymers Ltd, Fand Heights Group wcompanies to give prpresented – demonstrYorkshire manufacturcompete and win exin the global market with theirinnovative products

Birthday bash!THEY’RE set to celebrtalking business.The twice-monthly HudNetwork meetings, orgHuddersfield Town CentrPartnership, were launcto encourage business-to-bsales, support, advice andinformation sharingThe group, which usually meets aCafé Society on Byrno limit on numberrestrictions on the kind ofbusinesses that can takpressure to provide “leads” ameeting. The only rule is thabusinesses must hapostcode.The 10th anniversarheld from 7.30am to 9.30am onThursday, December 13, aGeorge Hotel. Details arwww.eventbrite.co.uk/ev4912317875 or by phoning CaBurger or Julia Lilof on 01484480890..

■ BRIEFING: HudderSheerman addresses the CKMA e

Family-friendlyways forwardIN 2011, the Government pro-

posed various changes toemployment law in the UK withthe aim of making existing provi-sions more family-friendly.

Consultation was entered into andthe Government has now published aresponse with regard to proposals toextend flexible working rights.

The current position is that parentsof children under the age of 17 (18 ifdisabled) and some carers have theright to request flexible workingarrangements if they have 26 weeks ofservice.

The right is limited to one request ineach 12 month period.

The changes that are now proposedto the system include:

● The right will be extended to allemployees with at least 26 weeks con-tinuous employment. What this meansis that employees will not have toqualify by virtue of being a parent or acarer and so any employee in the UKwould be able to make an applicationfor flexible working.

● The current statutory procedure inplace, which provides for a standardform to be completed before a rigidprocess is triggered, would be replacedby a requirement for employers to

consider requests in “a reasonablemanner, within a reasonable period oftime”. A code of practice and guide willbe provided setting out how employersshould approach requests and, import-antly, Employment Tribunals will beentitled to take into account this codeof practice in any subsequent litigation.This is similar to the Tribunal’s powerto review the code of practice on discip-line and grievance procedure in dis-crimination and unfair dismissalcomplaints.

● The right for an employee to makea request will still be limited to one inany 12-month period. The governmentappreciates that more frequent requestswould increase the burden on businessand, in addition to this, a single requestcan take a number of weeks or evenmonths to consider so multiplerequests will complicate the process

further.● There will be no exemption for

businesses with fewer than 10 employ-ees which was proposed during theconsultation. It appears the reason forthis is twofold – European directivesrequires all businesses to give all par-ents the right to request flexible work-ing. In addition, the Government feelsit would be sending out a conflictingmessage that flexible working is goodfor all business and employees if therewas any different system for smalleremployers.

It is expected that the changes will beintroduced by 2014 with codes of prac-tice issued by the conciliatory bodyACAS in 2013.

We await further news on the finalwording of the Regulations before theyare laid before Parliament.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local

DIGITALDIRECTIONAndrew Firth

Andrew Firth is managing director of Ascensor Website Design & Digital Marketing

Cat makes itspurr-fect choiceA HUDDERSFIELD human resourcesconsultancy has been appointed toprovide HR support to a growingcreative marketing agency.The Personnel Partnership, led byHonley-based Helen Straw, will act as a“virtual HR team” for Wakefield-basedCat Creative Marketing.Its first task will be to help lay thefoundations for future growth withissues such as creating contracts ofemployment, legal compliance andensuring that relevant HR policies andprocedures are in place.Cat Creative Marketing provides socialmedia management, marketing and webdevelopment services for businesses.Director Cat Yaffe said: “We werelooking for a HR resource that couldmeet our needs and offer apersonalised, tailored service. Helenand The Personalised Partnership werean obvious choice and we look forwardto a long mutually beneficialrelationship.”

Firm is a vision of successA COMPANY mixing architecture andgraphic design are the latest winners ofa monthly business award.

Elland-based Virtual Resolution, afull service, architectural visualisationand graphics studio, was presentedwith the Business of the Month Awardfor October by Huddersfield law firmEaton Smith.

Virtual Resolution was formed in2009 by Tim Power and John Hales.

Mr Power, managing director, hadspent several years working as aregional manager for a leading groupof international architects before thedecision to set up Virtual Resolutionoffering clients a full range of servicesin graphic design and 3D modellingservices. Mr Hales, technical director,brought into the business a wealth ofskills and experience within the field ofarchitectural visualisation and graphicdesign.

Since 2009, they have successfullygrown the business despite difficulteconomic times. They have seen amarked increase in developinghigh-profile clients. Their greatestsuccess was to be chosen as“visualiser” for ASDA Walmart and solesupplier for presentational 3Dinformation for all new and proposedsupermarket schemes in the UK andthroughout Europe.

Mr Power said: “I’m delighted thatVirtual Resolution has beenrecognised. As a local company in aspecialist field it is great to be able tobring employment and skills to the areaand its good to know that our hardwork is paying off.”

The Business of the Month Award isrun in association with the MidYorkshire Chamber of Commerce andUKTI. It is open to firms in Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield.

Contact Ian Greenwood at EatonSmith on 01484 821389.

■ HIGH RESOLUTION: Steven Pollitt (third right), presents the award to JohnHales (second right) and Tim Power (right), of Virtual Resolution, with (from left)Steve Haynes, of UKTI; Sam Sutcliffe and Michael Fox, both of Torevell Dent

Manufacturingin the spotlight

CTURING firms showcasedelopments at an event

anised by the Calderdale andufacturing Alliance.

sfield MP Barryessed his support for

ers when he gave aness to guests at the event held

t Hotel,

ocus on companiese successfully grown and

eloped their organisationsting – and have

om the help and supportnational trade

, managing director oft Lockwood-based

own Gear Systems Ltd, gavettendees a fascinating

insight into how the company haseloped into the wind energy

et and outlined the excitingt this presents for

s Ltd, Flexitallic Ltdoup were other local

e presentationsesented – demonstrating that

ufacturers are able toxcellent business

et with theiroducts.

Birthday bash!THEY’RE set to celebrate 10 years of

The twice-monthly Huddersfield, organised by

own Centree launched in 2003

usiness-to-businesst, advice and

tion sharing.h usually meets at

Café Society on Byram Street, hasumbers attending, no

estrictions on the kind oft can take part and novide “leads” at every

. The only rule is thatusinesses must have an HD

sary meeting will beom 7.30am to 9.30am on

, December 13, at theGeorge Hotel. Details are available at

.co.uk/event/4912317875 or by phoning Cathy

ulia Lilof on 01484

Huddersfield MP Barryman addresses the CKMA event

Employers urgedto bid for fundingEMPLOYERS in Kirklees have beenurged to bid for a share of a £150m potto improve their training activities.A second round of the Government’sEmployer Ownership of Skills pilot waslaunched by skills minister MatthewHancock last month.The scheme enables businesses to bidfor funding to create projects which willdeliver the skills they need to grow.Employers can find out more about theproject at a free workshop from noon to2pm tomorrow at the offices of DLAPiper in Leeds.The event will be hosted by Neil McLean,a UK commissioner and chairman of theLeeds City Region Local EnterprisePartnership.Mr McLean said: “Across the UK, butparticularly in the Yorkshire region, ourresearch shows there is a clear need formore businesses to address their skillneeds now if they are to be competitive.“Ambitious employers must thinkcarefully about how they can developtheir workforce, taking account of skillswhich are missing or identifying thosewhich have the potential to supportbusiness growth.“Through collaborating across a sector,region or supply chain to formpartnerships with training providers andother organisations, businesses candesign, develop and implement the typesof innovative projects we know can havea lasting impact.“I would urge employers of all sizes toattend this event to learn more abouthow the pilot might be of benefit.”Latest figures from the UK Commissionfor Employment and Skills show that athird of all vacancies are hard to fill inthe Yorkshire and Humber region –suggesting a shortage of suitableapplicants in the area.The regional figure is slightly worse thanthe average for England where 22% ofvacancies are difficult to fill.For further details of the event, visitwww.ukces.org.uk/employerownership

Social mediaand its perilsAS social media usage contin-

ues to become more and moreingrained into our everyday livesand conversational activities, it isincreasingly difficult to distin-guish between opinion and libel-lous talk.

So how do you know where theboundaries lie?

The definition of freedom of speechis “everyone has the right to freedom ofopinion and expression, and to seek,receive and impart informationthrough any media and regardless offrontiers”.

But should we all have freedom ofspeech when it comes to social media?

Recent high profile cases over the useof Twitter to disclose information bur-ied beneath super-injunctions has led tolibel cases.

Lord McAlpine’s high profile casedemonstrates how the forwarding ofsomeone else’s comments will also leavea case to answer.

It seems that every week there is anew scandal involving a rogue foot-baller’s “innocent” tweet.

We all recognise the importance ofeffective social media in business, but atthe root of every social media post andevery comment is an individual one.

Yet once the send button is pressed,

the comment is out there in the publicdomain and available for scrutiny.

A recent study by a social mediamonitoring service Reppler, found thatmore than 90% of recruiters visit apotential candidate’s social media pro-file as part of the screening process.Some 69% of recruiters have rejected acandidate based on content found onhis or her social networking profiles.Social media users be warned.

The fall-out from Lord McAlpine’scase should make more social mediausers think before they comment, butwhen hidden behind the veil of a busi-ness or brand, will diligence stillapply?

As we have seen, it’s not just theoriginator of the comment that facesprosecution, everyone who forwards orre-tweets a comment made by someoneelse will be judged as though they madethe comment themselves.

Having a social media policy is abusiness must-have. Social media train-

ing for businesses should also be stand-ard, particularly where multiple partiesare making comments and engagingwith others; posts whether tweets,status updates or comments representthe organisations views.

Business owners should embrace theopportunities that social mediaprovides whilst properly understandingthe pitfalls it can present. After theevent is too late, the damage has beendone.

Social media may represent freespeech but unlike a live address, it’s notalways the speaker that is held account-able!

Time will tell how social accountabil-ity will progress and no doubt legalcases will change the shape of the socialmedia landscape. After all, it is just onechannel of communication and like allforms of marketing needs to bep l a n n e d , t h o u g h t - o u t a n d b egoal-driven.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property

Empty propertiestax ‘hurting region’TAXES on empty commer-cial properties are cripplinghopes of recovery, it isclaimed.

A survey by the RoyalInstitution of Chartered Sur-veyors showed that almost90% of members in the northof England believe thatcharges placed on shops andoffices are significantlyundermining the region’seconomic recovery.

W h e n c o m m e r c i a lpremises such as a shop or anoffice become vacant, theowner is not required to paybusiness rates for threemonths.

However, after this period,these charges – known asEmpty Property Rates – areapplicable at the full rate,leaving many with a tax billwhich they have no means offunding.

More than two-thirds ofrespondents in England andWales claimed that commer-

cial property floor space iscurrently vacant for periodsof more than six months,meaning that the problem ofunmanageable taxes is wide-spread at a time when busi-nesses are most stretched.

Business rates collectedfrom ratepayers are initiallyacquired by central govern-ment and then redistributedback to local authorities aspart of the Local Govern-ment Finance Settlement.These funds then contributetowards financing local ser-vices.

With the economy situ-ation continuing to impact sosignificantly on towns acrossthe north of England, theRICS said the knock-oneffect was also being felt incapital values. Some 80% ofrespondents believe that theprice of retail premises willdecrease as a direct result ofEPR.

The RICS said it would

like to see changes made inthe government’s AutumnStatement tomorrow toextend the exemption timefor commercial propertyowners.

This would mean thatshould a retail propertyowner lose their tenant, nocharges would be applicablefor six, rather than three,

months. This would be exten-ded to 12 months for ownersof harder to let property,such as offices and industrialunits.

Richard Wackett, head ofrating for property con-sultancy Lambert SmithH a m p t o n , s a i d : “ T h echarges that property ownersare facing are having a detri-mental effect on many busi-nesses.

“If the government takesthe initiative in the AutumnStatement to offer propertyowners a longer exemptionperiod, this would give com-mercial landlords somemuch-needed breathings p a c e a n d c o n t r i b u t etowards getting the businesssector moving again.”

The RIC said that 89% ofrespondents believe EPRrestricts economic growthand 88% considered it a sig-nificant deterrent for specu-lative building.

■ EFFECT: LSH head ofproperty Richard Wackett

Company has the key tounlock UK doors marketA HUDDERSFIELD companyhas opened the door tonational recognition.Lockwood-basedComposite Doors Yorkshireis receiving orders fromacross the UK – aftersecuring its localreputation.Managing director RichardPogson (pictured) said: “Aspeople learn more aboutcomposite doors andrealise their benefits, wehave seen our sales steadilygrow in the Yorkshireregion.“But our ability to tailormake these doors tospecific customerrequirements, includingbending and shaping andintegrating top lights andside panels, has seen usreceive more onlineenquiries from customersaround the UK who havebeen unable to sourceexactly what they wantcloser to home.”Among its successes, thecompany has suppliedsome Milano compositedoors from its Italiacollection to a customer inGlasgow and has suppliedand installed doors inNewcastle. Requests fordoors have also come fromas far afield as Wales andLancashire.

Mr Pogson said: “Thebenefits associated withcomposite doors are one ofthe main reasons behindthe success. We aresupplying one of the fastestgrowing products in homeimprovement and are nowone of the most successfulcomposite doormanufacturers in theindustry.”The UK-made doors boast anumber of security featuresand are highly rated fortheir “green” credentials.All of the timber used in thecomposite doors comesfrom managed forests andeach door can be recycledat the end of its life.

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

on 0113 234 8999 or email [email protected]

Retail/showroom

To LeT

16 Westgate, Honley

Large ground floor retail/showroompremises in centre of Honley.

NOW IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE

111m2 (1,200 sq ft)

only £200 per week

To LeT

Whitby Court, Abbey Road North,Shepley, Huddersfield

Good quality 1st and 2nd floor office spacewell located in south Huddersfield with goodon site parking.

625 - 2,200 sq ft

Offices

immediately available

To LeT

The Watermill,Wheatley Park, Mirfield

Available as a whole or in five suites. Modernspecification with under floor comfort coolingand excellent on-site parking

550 sq ft - 9,000 sq ft

Offices

LAND

OFFICES

INDUSTRIAL

INVESTMENT

RETAIL

T. 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com

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












■ industrial

■ offices

■ retail

■ investment

■ land

DEWSBURY ROAD,BRIGHOUSE,

HD6 3QBfrom £12,500 p/a

● 2,700ft² to 5,427ft²

● Prominent roadside location

● Excellent yard space

● Close proximity to Junctions

24 and 25 of the M62

motorway

single storey industrial units

COLNE VALE ROAD,HUDDERSFIELD,

HD3 4NXfrom £12,000 p/a

● 2,943 sqft & 3,732 sqft

● Good Loading

● Popular industrial location

● Electric roller shutter door

● 3 Phase electricity

single storey industrial unit

HALF MOON STREET,HUDDERSFIELD,

HD1 2JF£13,500 p/a

● 88.66 sqm [954 sqft]

● Attractive lease terms

● Good secondary location

● Disabled access

● Close to bus station and

multi-storey car park

double fronted retail unit

LORD STREET,HUDDERSFIELD,

HD1 1QF£12,000 p/a

● 136.66 sqm (1,470 sqft)

● Landmark building

● Mostly open plan

● Good natural light

2nd floor office premises

HALF MOON STREET,HUDDERSFIELD,

HD1 2JF£6 psf

● 176.05sqm (1,895 sqft)

● Good quality offices

● Lift access

● Close to bus station and

multi-storey car park

● DDA compliant

office premises

MELTHAM MILLSROAD, MELTHAM,

HD9 4DSRents on Application

● 958.9 sqm (10,322 sqft)to 1415 sqm (15,231sqft)

● Popular Industrial Location

● Loading door

● 3 Phase electricity

● Shared yard

industrial

Commercial

www.boultonsestateagents.co.uk54 John William Street, Huddersfield HD1 1ER 01484 515029

● Offices arranged over 2

floors

● Great Town Centre

location

● Range of individual

offices

● Meeting rooms

● Open plan reception area

● Approx 2000 sq ft

NEW STREET

Huddersfield Town Centre £12,500 pa

● Prime Retail Location

● Overlooking Market Place

● 850 square Feet

● Large Window Displays

● 5 Year Lease

● £29.500 per annum

● Great business potential

NEW STREET


● Flexible Terms Available

● Prominent Shop To Let

● Large Footfall

● Return Frontage to Wood

Street

● Stepped rent available

KIRKGATE


● Reduced

● Suitable for Resi

redevelopment

● Previously a beauticians

● Popular student location

● Commercial potential

TOWNGATE

Newsome £69,950

● Approx 740 sq. ft.

● Offices arranged over 2

floors

● Honley village centre

● Gas central heating

● Neutrally decorated

● 1st and 2nd floor

● Alarmed

● 5 x offices 1x kitchenette

Honley £4,500 pa

● Approx 370 sq. ft.

● Former sandwich shop

● Situated in a parade of

shops

● Copthorne Square

● Rent free periods

available

● Flexible terms

Bradley £3,000 pa

● Characterful Property in T.Centre

● Adjacent to Byram Arcade

● Available as a whole or to be divided

● 3655 sq. ft. total - £45,000 p.a.

● 14 Westgate - 581 sq. ft inc mezzanine floor. - £12,500 p.a.

● 16 Westgate - 3035 sq.ft. inc 1st floor £22,500 p.a.

● 18 Westgate - 345 sq. ft. - £10,000 p.a

● Retail and coffee shop uses

WESTGATE


KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Apprenticeshipsin good health!YORKSHIRE Ambulance Service hasbeen named one of the nation’s top appren-ticeship employers.

The service, which won the apprenticeemployer of the year category at theRegional Apprentice Awards, has followedthat up by being named one of the top 100 inthe country by the National ApprenticeshipService.

The announcement came at the SkillsAwards event held as part of the Skills Showin Birmingham.

YAS is one of only four NHS trusts to begiven this accolade in recognition of excel-lence for apprenticeships. The four now flythe flag for NHS apprenticeships among the100 employers, who include Rolls-Royce.

Frank McMahon, of YH Training Ser-vices Ltd, said: We’ve been working withYAS for three years now to develop andexpand their apprenticeship programmeand are proud to see them achieve theaccolade of being in the top 100 apprentice-ship employers and being named as theApprentice Employer of the Year 2012.”

In 2011, both the Yorkshire AmbulanceService NHS Trust and YH were rewardedfor their hard work – together with thecommitment of the apprentices – when YASwas named as employer of the year” andYH Training Services was named as NHSTraining Provider for Yorkshire and Hum-berside in the 2011 NHS Yorkshire andHumber Apprenticeship Awards.

Said Mr McMahon: “To start with oneapprenticeship opportunity in August,2009, when we developed our partnership,

to being named as one of the top 100apprenticeship employers in November,2012, is a phenomenal achievement and welook forward to our continued partnershipwith them in the coming years.”

YAS uses apprenticeships to provide anopportunity for existing staff to developand share their skills as well as to recruitnew staff. As a result, YAS has apprentices

ranging in age from 16 to 52.YAS is also the first NHS ambulance

service to have implemented apprentice-ships into frontline services working as partof the non-emergency team and is currentlyworking with other NHS ambulance ser-vices in England to establish similarschemes.

Chris Rowland, Paul Hodgson & Rebecca Smith

P2 TechnologiesHUDDERSFIELD-based IT services specialistP2 Technologies has made three appointments.

Chris Rowland (centre) joins Lockwood-basedP2 as IT service manager and has a senior roleresponsible for continuing to deliver exceptionalservice to P2’s customers as the helpdesk teamgrows.

Mr Rowland has 20 years’ experience in ITmanagement and technical experience. He hasworked both as an IT service provider and anin-house IT manager for a global plc, duringwhich time he built and managed several IThelpdesk teams and managed installationprojects in excess of £1m.

Paul Hodgson (left), an IT specialist with 15years experience, has been appointed toco-ordinate day-to-day operations of thehelpdesk and joins the second line teammaintaining on-premises and cloud systems forP2’s professional services customers.

Rebecca Smith (right) joins P2 to provide ITpurchasing and service support to P2’scustomers. Mr Smith has a background intechnical sales and service with nine years’experience.

Martin Greenshields

FDYLMARTIN Greenshields hasjoined Cleckheaton-basedinterim finance directorsspecialist FDYL following acareer spent in commerce andindustry in South Yorkshire.

Mr Greenshields (pictured), aFreeman of the CutlersCompany, began his career asa chartered accountant withGrant Thornton in Sheffield before taking roleswith Firth Vickers Special Steels – part of theJohnson Firth Brown Group – Padley & Venablesin Dronfield and 3i.

He later spent more than 20 years as financedirector of George H Cook & Co Ltd, aprivately-owned steel stockholder in Sheffield.For the past six years, he has worked incorporate finance in Sheffield with specialistadviser Hardy Transaction Management,advising both vendors and acquisitive companiesand groups, mainly in the engineering sector.

■ PICTURED OF HEALTH: Patient transport service locality director Diane Williams(centre) with (from left) apprentices Matthew Gudgeon, Rachel Henderson, KellyAllwood and staff development officer Gill Dyson

Carly Jackson

Dickinson DeesA FORMER head girl atGreenhead College has qualifiedas a solicitor.

Carly Jackson (pictured), whoalso attended HuddersfieldGrammar School and studied atDurham University and YorkCollege of Law, joined DickinsonDees in Leeds two years ago.She has now qualified as asolicitor with its corporate team.

Ms Jackson, 25, said: “I have worked across anumber of departments during my training, buthave specialised in corporate work during thepast 12 months. “I’m delighted to be joining thecorporate team on a more permanent basis.”

Trio join business teamTHREE new relationship directors havebeen appointed by Lloyds TSBCommercial in Yorkshire to supportsmall to medium-sized enterprises in theregion.

Richard Butterfield, Dave Moore andSheryll Driver, will join the existing teamof 11 relationship directors across theregion.

Mr Butterfield will mainly look after thebank’s regional property portfolio, whileMr Moore will head up support for themanufacturing sector, and Ms Driver

joins after working in both the corporateand commercial space across the area.

The team will support Lloyds TSBCommercial’s customer base acrossYorkshire, providing dedicated bankingservices and products for customerswith an annual turnover of up to £15m.

Martyn Kendrick, area director forLloyds TSB Commercial in Yorkshire,said: “This new team is set tosignificantly enhance the support weoffer to local businesses.”

■ BANK STATEMENT: Lloyds TSB Commercial has appointed three newrelationship directors to join the Yorkshire regional team (pictured)

Advocate’srecognitionA LAW firm withoffices inHuddersfield isamong the awards.

Keith Allen(pictured), senioradvocate withNorthern fraud crimeand regulatorypractice ABRSolicitors, has beenrecognised as theMale Advocate of the Year at the AnnualLeeds Criminal Lawyers Dinner.

Mr Allen has been praised as being a“good lawyer who does well in the CrownCourt" and "one of the most creative lawyersI've come across".

ABR Solicitors, which has offices at MarketStreet in Huddersfield and in Leeds,Liverpool and Harrogate, has also beenacknowledged in Chambers and the Legal500 as the leading firm in crime in the region.

Rob Rode, senior partner of ABRSolicitors, said: “We are delighted with thisaward which is a testament to the high levelof service we provide to our clients.

“We are committed to ensuring the highestpossible level of representation to ourclients.”

ABR Solicitors handles numerous highprofile and complex cases nationwide andhas a total of 18 criminal lawyers.

kbn dec 4 2012

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