KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees16, August , 2011

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MOHAMMED ASIF ALI J ILL HAGUE

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Currency conver s ion?

Co lumn - Page 5

An EXAMINER publication

Kitchenclean-upA BUSY mother-of-twohas come up with arevolutionary inventionwhich could signal theend of one kitchenchore – keeping theoven door clean.Now Jaime O'Connor‘sOven Shield product –developed while caringfor five-year-oldHarrison and Holly, two– has been taken up bytwo leading retailers,who have orderedthousands of them.

ChallengeacceptedACCOUNTANCY firmRevell Ward hasrenewed itslong-standingpartnership withHuddersfield Town –and has signed up astitle sponsors for theclub’s KitchenChallenge

FTSE 100+30.55

5350.58

Progress ready togenerate growth

Five-star treatment

A SPECIALIST power supply firm has secured£4.4m of funding to help grow the business.

Dewsbury-based Progress Group sells, rents andinstalls generators and emergency power equipmentto industrial and commercial clients worldwide.

The business, founded in 1956, has grown into theUK’s leading dealer of FG Wilson diesel generatingsets.

Now it is looking to further expand its fleet of hireequipment that is proving popular with customerswho want to reduce capital spending.

Andrew Walls, of Ethos Corporate Finance, ledthe deal that involves a total of £4.4m of lendingprovided by HSBC Bank and HSBC Invoice Fin-ance.

The money will be used to replace existingfacilities and provide the required cash reservesneeded to expand the business.

Progress Group managing director Adrian Kempled a management buy-out of the business in 2007,which bought the company from the founder’sfamily.

The firm’s turnover has proved resilient, despitethe downturn – but a lack of funding was hinderingexpansion.

Said Mr Kemp: “Some of our customers wereseverely impacted by the recession, but we’ve stillbeen able to outperform the market and we havebeen creative about developing the hire fleet propos-ition.

“We are now positioned to expand and take thebusiness forward both with more efficient newerhire generators, but also into more overseas marketswith a great deal of potential.”

Mr Walls said: “Progress needed more liquidity toinvest in the newest generator technology availableto take advantage of the opportunities in the hiremarket and move forward after the recession.

“Increasingly, the right lenders for businessesdepend on their sector, markets and trading situ-ation.

“This deal shows that solid businesses can stillattract crucial funding, but you can’t just rely onyour existing bank and you have to be willing towork hard to structure the package and work with

new providers,” he added.The funding package comprises a term loan of

£900,000, a £1.5m asset finance facility and aninternational trade facility of £500,000 all providedby HSBC Bank.

A working capital facility of £1.5m was alsoprovided by HSBC Invoice Finance.

Jonathan Simms, of Clarion, provided legaladvice to Progress Group.

Keith Low, of HSBC Bank, said: “We aredelighted to support the growth of Progress.

“The structured nature of the funding on the rightterms provides Progress with the facilities they needto allow them to expand, aided with our interna-

tional expertise and global network.“We look forward to working with Adrian and his

fellow directors on a partnering basis for many yearsto come.”

Progress Group employs 45 staff at its 40,000sq ftworkshop, head office, showroom and depot inDewsbury.

It also has 65 people across three sites in Glasgow,Cleveland and London.

Recent contracts have included ones to supplyequipment to data centres, colleges, hospitals andthe National Grid as well as a museum in AbuDhabi.

■ POWER PLAY: Keith Low (left),of HSBC, with Progress Group managing director Adrian Kemp(centre) and Andrew Walls, of Ethos Corporate Finance at Progress Group's Dewsbury base

www.chadwicklawrence.co.ukHuddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Leeds

Solicitors for business inYorkshire

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5350.58Up 30.55

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.48 dollarsBangladesh................. 114.61 takaBrazil.............................. 2.34 realsCanada....................... 1.53 dollarsChina ............................. 9.28 yuanCzech Republic ...... 25.22 korunasDenmark....................... 8.06 kroneEuro............................... 1.08 euroHong Kong................ 12.03 dollarsHungary ................... 276.02 forintsIndia.......................... 64.74 rupeesJapan........................... 119.05 yenMexico ....................... 17.76 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.81 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.51 kronePakistan.................. 132.73 rupeesPhilippines ................. 59.09 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.83 randSouth Korea.............. 1528.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 168.56 rupeesSweden......................... 9.99 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.23 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.08 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.72 new liraUSA ............................ 1.55 dollars

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £27.77 +0.38Gannett 646.85 +24.41Hess Corp £36.34 +1.53Microsoft 1550.92 +19.22Motors Liquidation 45.77Wal-Mart Stores £30.25 -0.11

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 290 +5BAE Systems 264 +31/8Rolls-Royce 602 -11/2

AIMBrady Plc 683/4 +1/4Dawson Intl 2Man Brnze 39 -21/2Uniq 941/2 -1/4

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2021/4 +43/4

BANKSBarclays 1833/8 -37/8HSBC 5471/4 -45/8Lloyds Banking Gp 331/4 -5/8Ryl Scotland 261/4 -1/4Stan Chart 1421 -211/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1189 +11SABMiller £21 +1/8

CHEMICALSCroda 1776 +6Elementis 98 1541/2 +1Johnsn Mat 1809 +19

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2641/8 +13/4

Costain 2041/4 +11/4ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 4871/8 +61/4Intl Power 3001/8 +61/4Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1268 +19

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1593/8 -21/2

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3451/4 +1/2

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1781/2 -1Cable & WirelessComm

335/8 -1/4

Cable & WirelessWwide

385/8 +1/2

Colt Group 116 -3/4KCOM 72 +13/4Talktalk Telecom 129 +1/2

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2833/4 +35/8Sainsbury 2993/4 -1/8Tesco 3793/4 -11/4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1022 +4Tate Lyle 583 -5Unilever £203/8 +1/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3101/4 +43/4National Grid 599 +5Pennon Grp 668 +8Severn 1494 +17United Utils 599 -21/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2301/8 +31/4ICAP 4301/2 +5/8London StockExch 865 +51/2Man Group 1977/8 -5/8Provident Financial 1040Schroders 1523 +39Schroders NV 1234 +15

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 548 +11REXAM 3621/4 +3/8Smiths Grp 9731/2 +31/2

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 181/4 +1/2Carphone Whse 389 -5Dixons Retail 131/4 +1/8Home Retail 1367/8 -41/2Inchcape 348 +31/2Kingfisher 2311/4 -47/8M & S 3397/8 +1/8Mothercare 3805/8 +25/8Next £223/4 +1/8WH Smith 463 -3/4

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 5581/2 +41/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 963/4 -1/4Barrat Dev 803/8 -13/8Persimmon 4181/2 -21/8Reckitt Benckiser £33 +1/8Taylor Wimpey 327/8 -1/2

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 705 +71/2I M I 879 +19

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 3853/4 +167/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 1773/4 +23/4

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3553/4 +3/4Lgl & Gen 1027/8 -1/4Old Mutual 1137/8 +11/4Prudential 6291/2Resolution 2673/4 +81/8Standard Life 2061/4 +41/4

MEDIABSkyB 6831/2 +131/2D Mail Tst 3881/4 -31/8ITV 607/8 +13/8Johnston Press 53/8 +1/4Pearson 1098 +1Reed Elsevier 4901/4 +61/4STV Group 1123/8 +23/8Trinity Mirror 441/2 -1/2Utd Business 474 -45/8UTV 1121/2 +21/2WPP 6401/2 +31/2Yell Group 53/4

MININGAnglo American £241/2 +1/8Antofagasta 1264 +5BHP Billiton £203/8 +1/4Eurasian NaturalRes

6331/2 +81/2

Fresnillo 1796 +71Kazakhmys 1050 +35Lonmin 1200 +34Rio Tinto £37

VEDANTARESOURCES

1425 +22

Xstrata 10921/2 +211/2MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 4483/4 +73/4Vodafone Group 1673/4 +11/2

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1520 +10RSA Insurance Gp 1175/8 -3/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 12931/2 +13BP 4163/4 +117/8Cairn Energy 320 +21/2Royal Dutch Shell A £201/8 +1/8Royal Dutch Shell B £201/4 +1/8Total £293/8 +1/4

Tullow Oil 1081 +24OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES

AMEC 949 +431/2Petrofac 1244 +18Wood Gp(J) 568 +9

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1386 +4PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £281/4 +1/2Axis-Shield 4733/4 -41/4GlaxoSmithK XD 5Shire 1951 +2

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 564 +21/2Captl Shop Cent 337 +11/4DTZ Hldgs 301/2 +11/2Hamrsn 4301/2Land Secs 809 +6SEGRO 2561/2 +51/2

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1580 -19Invensys 2565/8 +7/8Logica 897/8 -23/4Misys 2713/4 -77/8Sage Group 252 -53/8

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 4541/2 +3/4Bunzl 729 +51/2Capita 708 +41/2De La Rue 8291/2 +321/2Electrocomp 2091/2 +1/2Experian 726 -21/2G4S 2563/8 +13/8Hays 773/8 +3/8

Homeserve 4673/8 +47/8Menzies J 455 +5Rentokil 783/4 +11/4Smiths News 851/2Wolseley 1595 -16

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 5201/2 -51/2Psion 65 -1Spirent Comms 1331/4 +43/4

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £271/4 +1/8Imperial Tobacco £203/8 +1/8

LEISURE & HOTELSBwin.Party Digital 1053/4 +13/4Carnival 1900 +2Compass Grp 5421/2easyJet 3471/8 +41/2Enterprise Inns 411/4 +21/4FirstGroup 3521/4 +83/4Go-Ahead Gp 1451 +27Greene King 4371/2 +6Intercontl Htls 1060 +17Intl Cons AirlinesGp

1901/4 +1/8

Ladbrokes 1291/8 +11/8Mitchells & Butlers 2501/2 +4Natl Express 2445/8 +31/2Rank Org 122 -13/4Stagecoach Group 2443/4 +23/4TUI Travel 1643/4 +13/8Whitbread 1498 +17

INDEXFTSE 100 5350.58 +30.55

INDEXFTSE 250 10531.80 +99.75

Carclo 315 +19Marshalls 99 +3National Grid 599 +5Weir Gp 1925 +18

A LEADING UK recruitment firm saida freeze on hiring and turbulence inthe financial markets had hit itsbanking arm.

Michael Page International, whichhas more than 1,300 people in theUK, said the strong growth in bankplacements in the first six months of2011 had slowed in recent weeksdue to a block on new recruitment.

Recent weeks have seen big jobcuts announced by Lloyds Banking,HSBC, Barclays and Royal Bank ofScotland amid worsening problemsfor retail and investment markets.

Banks are awaiting the outcome ofthe Independent Commission onBanking’s final report in September,

which is tipped to recommend aring-fence between retail and invest-ment banks.

The bank sector accounts for 10%of Michael Page’s profits.

However, the company said it stillexpected to make progress this year,despite the slowdown and a UK mar-ket described as “challenging”.

Underlying profits rose by 38% to£45.5m in the half-year to June, withgrowth in both permanent and tem-porary placements. Revenues roseby 26% to £502m. e

Shares closed down 8% or 32.4plower at 368p 12% after the profitsfigure came in below market expect-ations..

A SHORTAGE of skilled engineersthreatens to hamper efforts by BP toboost production in the North Sea, asenior executive has said.

The oil giant expects to recruit 150to 300 jobs a year, but says one of itsbiggest problems is finding the rightpeople with the right skills.

The comments come a month afterBP and its partners announced plansto invest £3bn in redeveloping two oilfields off the Shetland Islands.

The move should create hundreds ofnew jobs, but Trevor Garlick, head ofthe company’s North Sea operations,said BP would struggle to attractenough engineers for the posts.

He said: “Getting hold of the rightpeople is a real issue for us.

“We are hiring a lot of people, butwe are also an exporter of a couple ofhundred people to other regions. Weare a centre for recruiting elsewhere.”

BP’s North Sea operations are seenas a training ground by the rest of thecompany, which snaps up workers tofill posts overseas.

The company believes 450m barrelsof oil could be extracted from theSchiehallion and Loyal oil fields whichlie to the west of Shetland in the northAtlantic.

The fields have produced nearly400m barrels since 1998.

Mr Garlick said: “We haven’t gotthe half of the oil out yet.

“In my mind, there needs to be anenergy mix over the next 20 years andthat includes fossil fuels. I think peopleare ill-informed when they say thisarea is over.”

Oil and gas body Opito, which rep-resents the industry, says employersare expecting to create 10,000 new oiland gas jobs within the next fiveyears.

However, more than half of com-panies warn that attracting skilledstaff is a key operational challenge,according to Opito’s latest analysisbased on 144 companies.

A spokesman for the department ofBusiness, Innovation and Skills said:“Engineering skills are vital to rebal-ancing the economy.

“That’s why the Government inves-ted £180m of funding for 50,000 addi-tional apprenticeships in this year’sBudget.

“We are also committed to inspiringthe next generation of engineers andscientists through the See Inside Man-ufacturing programme.

“This gives students the opportun-ity to visit some of UK’s most innovat-ive and successful companies andlearn about the vast range of reward-ing jobs available in industry.”

Bank woes dent Michael Page

Shortage of skilledengineers hits BP

■ BARREL ROLE: BP fears a lack ofskilled engineers could hit production attwo key oil fields in the Shetland isles

THE North-South jobs divide is set towiden over the next year as confidencefalters among manufacturers, claims anew report.

More private sector employersintend to shed staff than take them onover the next three months and 12months, according to the latestLabour Market Outlook from theChartered Institute of Personnel andDevelopment and accountantsKPMG.

Confidence in the manufacturingsector had fallen away especiallysharply, which will hit the North andthreatens Government plans to offsetjob losses in the public sector through

gains in export-led businesses, thesurvey authors said.

Differences in the net employmentplans for the next three months high-light the “stark regional differences”,said the report.

There was a negative balance ofminus 6% among northern businesses,indicating that they will shed staff,while in the South the balance wasplus 10% suggesting they are stillrecruiting.

Gerwyn Davies, CIPD publicpolicy adviser, said increasing uncer-tainty over both the UK and globaleconomies is now affecting hiringintentions.

Regional jobs gap widens

NationalPark planTHE UK’sfastest-growing hotelchain has announced a£135m plan to open 37hotels close to NationalParks across the country.

Travelodge, which isdue to build a four-storeyhotel as part of theSpindlegate developmentat Leeds Road inHuddersfield, said theinvestment was inresponse to highcustomer demand forhotels near to the UK’stop rural locations ascash-strapped Britonsholiday in the BritishIsles.

Travelodge said it hasseen a surge in demandfor rural breaks. Its hotelswithin a wide radius ofthe main National Parks– including Exmoor,Snowdonia and the NorthYorkshire Moors, haveachieved high occupancylevels far earlier thannormal this year.

ChangechannelsTELECOMS giant VirginMedia has sold its 50%stake in UKTV – home ofchannels including Dave,Gold and Yesterday – toa US broadcaster for£339m.

The stake has beenbought by Tennessee’sScripps NetworkInteractive, which runsUS lifestyle TV brandssuch as Food Networkand Cooking Channel.

The deal give the BBC,which owns theremaining 50% stakethrough subsidiary BBCWorldwide, the chance topush its holding up to60%.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

MohammedAsif Ali

Five StarAutocentre

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: ProprietorAge: 27Family: SingleHolidays: France,Dubai, MalaysiaCar: Toyota CorollaFirst job: WorkingSaturdays in a motorparts shopBest thing aboutjob: Every day is dif-ferent and it is notrepetitive. I enjoy thetask of trying to dia-gnose a problem. It’slike a lucky dip or thelottery!Worst thing aboutjob: Winter weatherBusiness tip: Listento your employees.Having a successfulbusiness comes downto them

Work: MOTs and carrepairsSite: The Triangle,PaddockPhone: 01484545422Email: info@fivestarautocentre.co.ukWebsite: www.fivestar autocentre.co.uk

Garagemovesinto topgear!

BUSINESSMAN MohammedAsif Ali is motoring ahead ofthe competition.

The proprietor of Five StarAutocentre got a taste for thevehicle repair industry as a13-year-old workingSaturdays in a car partsshop.

And he went on to showhis aptitude for the job bygaining a string ofqualifications, culminating inMaster Technician statuswith Huddersfield’s Toyotamain dealer, where heworked for seven years as asenior automotive technician.

The opportunity to openhis own car repair businesscame along in 2009 whenpremises became availableat Allen Row, The Triangle,Paddock,

The business opened itsdoors in March, 2010, tooffer vehicle servicing,repairs and MOTs.

The company scored anearly success by beingnamed New Business of theYear in the ExaminerBusiness Awards.

The award recognised thefirm’s innovative use oftechnology to book incustomers and remind themwhen MOTs come up forrenewal via email, textmessage and post.

The system also meanscustomers get a thank-youmessage for their custom!

Says Mohammed: “Theaward helped a lot in termsof PR and by providingreassurance to potentialcustomers that we were areputable business.

“We find customers alsorecommend us to family andfriends.

“We have re-investedmoney into the businessboth in terms of marketingand PR and new equipment.

“It means that although weare an independent garage,we see ourselves offering a‘main dealer’ level of service,which makes us different toour competitors.”

Mohammed attendedMoor End High School,where he gained goodGCSEs, but admits: “When Iwas at school, I was more‘hands-on’ than academic.

“I left school and had theopportunity to go toHuddersfield TechnicalCollege on an apprenticescheme for three years andgained City and Guildsqualifications.

“I completed myapprenticeship at AshbrowGarage on Bradford Roadbefore leaving to go to theToyota main dealer at LeedsRoad.

“I was sent on trainingcourses in London and at theage of 21 I got my MasterTechnician qualification.

“I was one of only two outof 16 on the course toqualify.”

Now Mohammed, 27,heads a five-strong team atFive Star Autocentre, whichincludes two fully qualifiedtechnicians – one of them aformer colleague fromToyota – and a full-timecustomer servicerepresentative.

Together, the team boastsmore than 40 years technicalexperience.

Mohammed puts in longhours, six days a week to

build on the firm’s successfulstart.

Demonstrating hiscommitment to the cause, headds: “I decided that for thefirst three years of thebusiness I would devote allmy attention to it.

“That means no holidaysfor the moment – although Ican’t wait to return to Dubai,Malaysia and France, whereI have enjoyed holidays inthe past.”

So far, being his own bosshas exceeded allexpectations.

“Initially, we have focusedon our MOT, repair andservicing capabilities,” hesays.

“As the most profitablearea of the business, it hasgiven us a firm base onwhich to expand into otherareas such asair-conditioning servicing,tyres and exhausts.

“We are proud to boastthat we have captured a

niche area in vehiclemaintenance which atpresent, no other autocentrein Huddersfield offers.

“Our unique online MOTbooking facility allowsprospective customers toaccess the Five StarAutocentre website 24 hoursa day, 365 days a year anduse the ‘online diary’ to booktheir vehicle in for an MOT atan exact date and time tosuit them.”

Customers alsoappreciate the firm’sfixed-priced servicingschedule, based on enginesize, to include all parts,labour and VAT – whichMohammed says providestransparency for customersuneasy about how themechanic’s bill might mountup.

He says: “The aim fromthe onset was to buildconsumer confidence.

“The motor trade –unfortunately – is not

renowned for its reputableimage and honesty.

“To overcome thisproblem, joiningorganisations such as theMotor Code of Practice,Unipart Car Care Centre,the Good Garage Schemeand achieving AutomotiveTechnician Accreditationwas a great boost.”

Mohammed says: “Ihave stuck to my businessplan pretty faithfully.

“But a good plan shouldbe changing all the timeas both the business andmy ideas grow.

“There is only so muchyou can plan beforestarting out, but I havebeen lucky and havehad more requests frommotorists than anticipated,so our turnover will bepleasantly more thanexpected this year.

“I intend to renew mybusiness plan every six

months to ensure that I canplan for the future aseffectively as possible.

“I shall constantly reviewpast performance to seewhat I have done and what Ishould do differently.”

Mohammed adds:“Opening a new business ina recession was a littleworrying due to the greatuncertainty in the economy.

“People have to rely ontheir car regardless ofwhether we are in arecession or not – but Irealised that when times arehard people will search forvalue.

“We are committed togiving the best value.

“We commit to setting thestandard and leading theway.”

■ COMMITMENT: Mohammed Asif Ali, of Five StarAutocentre, is dedicated to growing the business

On the board with

01484 538 351payroll@revellward.co.uk

www.revellward.co.uk

Jennifer DaviesPartner

National PayrollWeek

During Monday 5 to Friday 9September help us promote National

Payroll Week by sending us your payrollqueries and we will answer them for you,

free of charge.We will have payroll software

demonstrations and surgeries which willcover topics such as dividend vs salary,

P11d’s and company cars.

Revell Ward Tip:Visit our website for more information orto book an appointment give us a call.No problem too big or too small.

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Safety guideon the webNEW web-based guidance hasbeen launched to help Kirkleesemployers protect their employeesThe Health and Safety Executivehas launched the guide whichexplains what bosses must do tocomply with health and safety law– without getting entangled in redtape.The new guidance is aimed atreducing the number of workplacedeaths and injuries in Yorkshireand the Humber, where 23 peoplewere killed last year according tothe latest official figures.Other incidents which resulted inprosecutions last year included awooodworker risking seriousinjury to himself and others usingan unguarded circular saw inDewsbury.Other examples include ademolition worker shattering hisknee after a ceiling collapsesduring renovation work in Grimsbyand a recycling operative severinghis right forearm on a balingmachine in Hessle.The guide – Health and SafetyMade Simple – is one of a range oftools aimed at making thingseasier for low risk small andmedium-sized enterprises.It takes users through the processstep-by-step, explaining what to doand how to do it.It signposts users to detailedguidance on specific topics anduseful interactive tools, such as aquick and easy online riskassessment for offices.The website also links to theOccupational Safety and HealthConsultants Register, throughwhich employers can search for areputable consultant for extra helpor support.However, the website makes clearthey are likely to be able to manamost aspects of health and safetythemselves or with the help of theirstaff.Go to www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety

Furniture retailersseek new recruitsA BUSINESS transformation com-pany near Huddersfield is helpingboost employment prospects in thefurniture retail industry.

Greetland-based Insight with Pas-sion has teamed up with interiorsrecruitment specialist FurnitureAssociates to encourage talentedyoung people to consider a career inthe industry.

The move follows latest figuresfrom the British Retail Consortiumreporting a 0.4% drop in employmentin the sector – the equivalent of 3,100fewer jobs.

Greg Sheil, director of Bris-tol-based Furniture Associates, hasbrought in award-winning Insightwith Passion to support in a re-brand-ing project which sees FurnitureAssociates offer more online help topotential recruits.

Said Mr Sheil: “The news is con-stantly highlighting the negatives –that employment levels are at anall-time low – but we remain positiveabout the situation.

“It is obvious there will be fluctu-ations in the recruitment industry,

similar to any industry, so we’reinvesting to make our service evenbetter in the hope of encouragingtalented individuals to take actionand move up the career ladder.”

Mr Sheil launched his businessafter many years recruiting in thefurniture industry – having decidedthat the sector needed its own special-ist recruitment consultancy.

He said: “We’re proud to havelaunched our new website and brand-ing with new functions offering easyaccess to job vacancies and candid-ates.

“On top of this, we are also launch-ing a specialised ‘head hunting’ ser-vice which will identify and attract thebest senior personnel in theindustry.”

Kate Hardcastle, of IwP, said: “Weare delighted to be working with Gregon this project, his vibrant companyshows how a specialised service canflourish within an industry, ratherthan offering a ‘one size fits all’service.”

IwP is enjoying a busy 2011. Afterpresenting seminars at four prestigi-

ous trade events, the senior partnerswill fly to Dubai to give a further fourseminars. Then it’s on to Jeddahwhere they will be the first westerners

to present a seminar at the WeddingArabia exhibition. IWP has alsogrown internationally, winning asix-figure contract in Australia.

Healthy choiceWORKPLACE health and safetyfor trainees and those on workexperience comes under thespotlight at a meeting next month.The Kirklees and CalderdaleOccupational Health and SafetyGroup event will explain toemployees their duties of caretowards young people at work,including apprentices and workexperience students.Representatives ofBrighouse-based KirkdaleIndustrial Training Services,Calderdale and Kirklees Careersand the Institute of OccupationalHealth and Safety will givepresentations at the event from8.15am on Wednesday, September14, at KITS’ training andconference centre in Brighouse.Tel Michael Metcalfe on 01422388318 or visitwww.kcohsg.org.uk

‘Green’ team talkA COMPANY helpingbusinesses improveenergy efficiency andmanage waste has setup an in-house “greenteam” to monitor its ownimpact on theenvironment.

Orchard Energy inBrighouse, whichincludes wastemanagement divisionOrchard Environmental,helps businesses drivedown energy costs,improve efficiency andcomply with regulationsfor waste handling anddisposal, The firm alsocarries out feasibilitystudies for renewableenergy projects andmicrogeneration.

Managing directorGareth Henderson saidthe initiative wouldensure the ongoingassessment of Orchard’sgreen credentials andbuild on the company’srecent ISO 14001accreditation.

“Our newenvironmentalmanagement team bringstogether staff from bothdivisions of the businesswho meet weekly toassess and monitor thefirm’s environmentalimpact and reviewprocedures for managing

waste and improvingefficiency,” he said.

The team will beheaded by SimonMidgley with JoannaDawson and SophieBroadley.

“We have alwayspracticed the sameefficiency measures we

talk to our clients about,but by formalising ourprocedures and having adedicated team workingon these issues we aremaking sure wecontinually improve ourperformance andstreamline ouroperation.”

■ STANDING UP FOR RETAILERS: Greg Sheil (second left), of FurnitureAssociates, with (from left) Kate Hardcastle, Charlotte Cody and RichardGomersall, of Insight with Passion

■ MONITOR: Gareth Henderson, of OrchardEnergy in Brighouse

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at ChadwickLawrence Solicitors

EMPLOYER’SBRIEFNeil Wilson

Fundraising effortYORKSHIRE Building Society is goinggreat guns in the charity stakes.The Bradford-based mutual has raisedmore than £35,000 so far this year forchosen charity the Alzheimer’s Society.The latest efforts is a raffle among staff towin a weekend in a retro VW campervan!

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A legal right torepresentation?THERE have been recent case law

developments focusing on therights of employees to be accompan-ied at internal disciplinary hearings,giving scope to extend those rightsbeyond the statutory minimum.

Current legislation gives workers andemployees a statutory right to be accompan-ied by either a trade union representative ora fellow worker at a disciplinary hearing.Such a hearing is one that may result in aformal warning being issued, the taking ofsome other disciplinary action or the con-firmation of a warning or disciplinaryaction. Employees are entitled to be repres-ented by an official of a trade union (whetherthe employee is a member of the union) orsomebody who is a colleague of the workerin that particular business.

There is no general right in employmentlaw to bring a lawyer to a disciplinaryhearing. However, there have been a numberof recent developments which suggest that,in certain circumstances, it would be right toallow qualified legal representatives toattend.

Some employees, such as NHS hospitaldoctors, do have a right under their contractsof employment for a qualified legal repres-entative to attend the disciplinary hearing.Alternatively, it may be a reasonable adjust-ment to allow a disabled employee to beaccompanied by a lawyer, although specific

medical advice would be sought in advanceof making this decision.

The recent case law has focused on otherarguments aimed at establishing a right tolegal representation. In a case that reachedthe Court of Appeal, it was held that, wherean employee was facing what was in effect acriminal charge as a result of disciplinaryhearings brought against him, this implied aright to legal representation. The casefocused on a doctor who was attending aninternal disciplinary hearing which couldhave resulted in his suspension or removalentirely from medical practice and he wasentitled to be represented by a lawyerinstructed by the Medical Protection Soci-ety. The above case was determined givingconsideration to the Human Rights Act1998 which gives the right to a fair trial inUK law. Because of the seriousness of theproceedings, it was held that the right wouldbe infringed if legal representation was not

allowed.However in a further case, relating to a

teaching assistant who could have beenreported to the Independent SafeguardingAuthority as a result of a disciplinary hear-ing, the court held that legal representationshould not be allowed at the hearing. Thiswas despite the fact that the teacher couldhave been put on the children’s barred listand prohibited from working with chil-dren.

It seems therefore that a significantly highthreshold must be passed before the right tolegal representation at disciplinary hearingsis engaged. Each case must be considered onits own merits and only where an individualscareer is effectively at stake is the right likelyto be triggered. Employers are not advised toinclude any such references to legal repres-entation in disciplinary policies and adviceshould be sought if businesses consider thatthe right may apply.

BANKER’SBLOGJill Hague

Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield

Ready for China marketTHIS month I’m looking at

trade with China and how itjust got a lot easier for ourbusiness customers thanks toour recently launched Renminbi(RMB) account, a UK first.

Due to its global presence andstrong links with China, HSBC hasbeen uniquely placed to help UKbusinesses trade with China, but thiswas mainly carried out in US dollarsor euros.

RMB settlement was restricted toChinese businesses with RMBaccounts outside China. But nowHSBC business customers can opena UK-based RMB account, makingcross-border trade so much easier.

So what is RMB and what can itoffer UK businesses?

Partial deregulation of theChinese market and its importanceon the global stage – the world’ssecond largest economy and largestexporter of goods – underpinned theneed for more efficient trade.

RMB has grown in popularity tosuch an extent it is estimated that by2015 it will be a top three interna-tional currency.

In addition to an increase inChinese trade partners making andreceiving payments in RMB, we alsobelieve that we’ll see greater use of

RMB for trade settlements glob-ally.

HSBC business customers cannow settle trade transactions inRMB irrespective of whether thedestination is outside China,described as “offshore”, or on theChinese mainland, duly described as“onshore”.

The benefits and improved effi-ciency are enormous, not least theopportunity to attract Chinese busi-nesses which previously wanted totrade only in RMB in their homemarket.

Another huge advantage is theability to potentially negotiate betterpricing and terms of trade withcustomers and suppliers in China, asthey will no longer have to absorb

the cost of foreign exchange transac-tions or deal with the risk of cur-rency fluctuations.

HSBC recently held a tradeexchange event in Shanghai, whichleft businesses that attended fromthe UK and Europe in no doubtregarding the sheer scale of oppor-tunities and potential for doing busi-ness in China.

HSBC is doing its bit by pavingthe way to help UK businessesaccess a fast-moving, dynamic mar-ket with a wide range of solutionsand facilities to suit every businessneed.

If you want any advice to help youtake advantage of this opportunity,email jillhague@hsbc.com

Rocked in Hollywood.Made in Borehamwood.

Business

Issued by HSBC Bank plc. *Lines are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).AC18837

It may sound like a quiet little town but Borehamwood is home toOrange Amps, which has been supplying the world’s music industryfor the past 40 years.

At HSBC we believe that a local business doesn’t have to stay local.By thinking about your business from a global perspective, we canhelp you thrive both locally and internationally.

Speak to Jill Hague, Area Commercial Director, on 07786 524353*,or email jillhague@hsbc.com

local Page 6KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Seminar focuson agency rulesA LAW firm with offices in Huddersfieldheld a free seminar to provide guidanceon new legislation for agency workers.Chadwick Lawrence, which has officesat Railway Street, joined forces withrecruitment and HR services specialistRandstad to stage the event at theBradford Bulls Stadium.The seminar addressed the forthcominglaunch of the Agency WorkerRegulations (AWR) in October.The session provided businesses withthe official guidance on how best toimplement AWR for their business –presented by employment lawspecialist, Neil Wilson of ChadwickLawrence.In addition, the seminar was followed bya Q&A session, during which delegateswere able to ask specific AWRquestions.Lyndsey Gibson, branch manager ofRandstad in Bradford, said: “We weredelighted to be able to offer thisseminar to the West Yorkshire businesscommunity. At Randstad we have over50 years’ experience of supportingclients with new legislation.”Neil Wilson, of Chadwick Lawrence,said: “It’s always good to work inpartnership on seminars to offer thedelegates a fuller picture. ChadwickLawrence offers a variety of seminarsaimed at helping the region’sbusinesses keep abreast of changinglegislation which directly affects them.They have always proved popular andwe expect our latest venture withRandstad to be equally well received.”

Dentists brush upon HR concernsAN expert in human resources has givendental practices something to get theirteeth into.Julie Sykes, of Shepley-basedconsultancy JCS HR, has urged dentalpractices to make sure they pursueeffective HR policies and practices intheir businesses following thecompany’s handling of a disciplinaryhearing.JCS was called in by a team ofemployment lawyers acting for a dentalpractice to conduct a dismissal appealhearing. As a result of bringing Julie andher team on board, the appeal washandled independently andprofessionally.The practice was so impressed by theway the case was managed, JCS hasnow been retained to handle all of its HRrelated matters.Said Julie: “Many dental practices whodon’t benefit from HR services could bewasting profits, putting their reputationat risk, adversely affecting the quality ofservice they provide to their patients orlosing out on opportunities foradditional contracts.”After working with a number of dentalpractices, Julie recognised a number ofspecific HR issues which regularly arisein the sector – and produced a packagewhich allows practices to access theservices they require on an ‘as needed’basis, with no big retainer fees.Services include human resourcesadvice and administration, payroll, anemployment law helpline as well aslearning and development courses forstaff.

Jaime cooks upa winning ideaA BUSY mother-of-two has come up with arevolutionary invention which could signalthe end of one kitchen chore – keeping theoven door clean.

Jaime O'Connor thought up the simplesolution while juggling caring forfive-year-old Harrison and Holly, two, andalso helping to run her husband Dale’sbusiness.

Now it has been taken up by two leadingretailers, who have ordered thousands of theproduct.

The 34-year-old found it difficult to findthe time to clean her oven door. When Dale,35, who services and cleans Aga cookers,told her that most customers just wanted toknow how they could keep their oven doorsclean, she realised it was a universal prob-lem.

Eighteen months ago, Jaime began exper-imenting with ideas in a bid to come up withthe solution to every cook's cleaning night-mare.

She eventually hit on the ingenious idea ofan easy-to-fit oven door shield, which issecured to the oven door using suction padsand does not obstruct the view into the ovenso cooks can still see the food inside.

She first invented a shield for Aga cook-ers, but growing in confidence she thenmade another shield which can fit any typeof oven.

The Shield is easy to remove and can beput in the dishwasher or rinsed with soapywater, taking only seconds to clean. Jaime

estimates the eco-friendly shield will savepeople a fortune on expensive oven clean-ers.

Now homeware retailers Lakeland andCurrys have ordered thousands of thesimple device which fits all types of cook-ers.

Said Jaime: “The Oven Door Shield is asolution to a problem. I am so very proud ofwhat I have achieved so far and would loveto share our creation with the world.

“I have created it from scratch andbrought it to market – with two children andalso working full-time running my hus-band’s Aga servicing and cleaning business,it’s not been easy.

“There have been a lot of late nights andearly mornings and I have to juggle the workwith looking after the children – but I wantto show other mums it is possible to inventyour own products and get them out there.

“We first created The Aga Oven DoorShield especially for the Aga cooker, butthen realised that we could extend into allhouseholds with The Premium Oven DoorShield, which suits all ovens.”

Jaime has delivered the UK-made shieldsinto Lakeland and is also working with anAustralian television channel.

The shields are also available atwww.ovendoorshield.co.uk.

The Aga version retails at £17.95 while thePremium Oven Door Shields cost £19.99.

■ CLEAN-UP: Mum-of-two Jaime O'Connor,of Southowram, who has invented a new wayto keep ovens clean

They’re all set to ask the right questionsA FULL service market researchagency in Huddersfield has adate in London.

Ask Insight, based at theMedia Centre, NorthumberlandStreet, will be exhibiting atAd:tech London 2011, theannual get-together for media,marketing and technologyprofessionals.

The agency will also beproviding pre-event research toidentify current issues forconsumers regarding onlineshopping habits as well as apost-event evaluation to provideorganisers with intelligence onvisitor numbers and theiropinions of the speakers,workshops and exhibitors.

Susan Kenyon, director ofAsk Insight, said: “We aredelighted to be once againworking hand-in-hand to delivera useful research function forAd:tech London.

“Last year’s event was a hugesuccess. Our post eventresearch proved that.

“Event evaluation is just oneof the core research functionswe offer. Consumer insightthrough traditional face-to-faceinterviewing and advertising andbrand tracking studies throughonline panels are other keyservices we offer our clients.”

Research director RichardNoon added: “Our eventevaluation approach has been

used within small-scalesituations, such as localmarkets, through to largedata-intensive solutions such asAd:tech, demonstrating ourcapability and innovativeapproach to research.”

Ask Insight will be heading tothe two-day day event onAugust 21 and 22.

Last year, the agency metcompanies from Huddersfield,Bradford, Selby and Leeds todiscussing technology andadvertising with the big playersin the market such asFacebook, Google and largemarketing agencies such asWARC and Casale Media.■ RESEARCH: Susan Kenyon of

Ask Insight

Deadline nears for legal awardsTHE deadline is nearing for Kirklees lawyersto enter the Law Society Excellence Awards.

Teams and individuals have until Friday tosubmit their nominations and get recognitionfor their achievements as outstanding practi-tioners in the legal sector.

BBC Broadcaster Mishal Husain willpresent the awards at a prestigious celebrationdinner on October 18 at Old Billingsgate,London.

The awards, now in their fifth year, recog-nise and reward the most outstanding anddynamic practitioners in the legal professionsand are open to individuals and teams acrossthe entire legal sector, not just solicitors.

Categories include ones for legal executive,solicitor advocate, junior lawyer and solicitorof the year for in-house and private practice.

Nominations are also open for the legalpersonality of the year and legal business

woman of the year.Teams are encouraged to compete for

awards in client service, innovation, equalityand diversity, environmental responsibility,marketing and business development, practicemanagement and community investment.

Entries can be submitted by post or onlinesubmission form.

Go to www.lawsociety.org.uk/excellenceawards

property Page 7KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Digital agency’sonline financialhelp for tenantsELLAND-based digital communicationsagency The Mill Group has produced anew package of support films forhousing associations to help tenants toimprove their budgeting skills.As household finances across the UKare squeezed ever tighter due to risingfood, fuel and heating prices, The Millhas produced the Money Made Simplepackage of films to help social landlordsprovide tenants with practical advice onhow best to budget and organise theircash flow.It can be posted out as a DVD andposted on an organisation’s website foruniversal access.It comes as a survey by the Associationof Residential Letting Agents showsthat four out of 10 letting agentsquestioned in the final quarter of 2010reported a rise in the number of tenantshaving problems paying rent during theprevious six months, up from 35.9% inthe third quarter.Money Made Simple covers all theimportant financial topics, includingbudgeting, bank accounts and savings,credit and a directory of useful contactswith simple, useful tips at the end ofeach section.David Fawcett, marketing director forThe Mill Group said: “We came toproduce Money Made Simple becausesocial landlords are looking to supporttenants who need advice about moneymatters, from day-to-day managing tolong-term budgeting and saving.“At a time when the recession is stillvery much apparent this product is idealto give people the help they need.”

Society posts strong resultsBRITAIN’S fifth-biggest building societydelivered a “very strong” set of half-yearresults as it unveiled plans to increasemortgage lending.

Leeds Building Society lifted new loans by61% to £642m during the six months to theend of June from £400m for the same periodlast year while boosting savings balances by£127bn to a record level of £7.15bn.

Pre-tax profit rose by 49% to £26.9m from£18m last time.

The society attracted 21,000 newmembers to take total membership to morethan 685,000.

Capital and reserves increased to a record£553m from £515m a year ago.

Chief executive Ian Ward said: “LeedsBuilding Society has achieved anotherexcellent set of financial results for the firsthalf of the year and provided more capacityand choice to the UK mortgage market.

“Almost a quarter of new loans, over£151m of completions, has enabledthousands of first-time-buyers to purchasetheir first home and this represents an 85%increase when compared to the same periodlast year.

"The average loan-to-value on new lendingwas only 52% as we continue to adopt aprudent approach to underwriting.

“We intend to increase new lending furtherthis year, to around £1.3bn, which willsupport many more first-time buyers onto thehousing ladder and enable other borrowersto move their mortgage to us.”

Mr Ward said the mutual’s “strongprofitability” was backed by a £38m rise incapital and reserves to a record £553m,adding: “These capital and reserves aresignificantly ahead of regulatoryrequirements.”

Investors seize a tasty opportunity asBagel Nash plans more store openingsA YORKSHIRE-based bagel bakery andretailer with a shop in Huddersfield has newowners.

Bagel Nash, which has a site at Kingsgate,was set up 24 years ago, but has grown tooperate 11 coffee and bagel bars in Yorkshireand produce more than 12m bagels a year. Italso exports to more than 20 countries.

Now YFM Equity Partners has backed themanagement buy-in of the business for anundisclosed sum through three of its funds–Chandos and its two British Smaller Com-panies Venture Capital Trusts.

The investment will support the acquisitionof Bagel Nash and provide capital to financeits plans to open up new outlets in the North,North-West and the Midlands and will fur-ther aid the growth of wholesale and export

trade.Andy Micklethwaite becomes chief execut-

ive of the company with Sara Hildreth asretail operations director.

Mr Micklethwaite has 30 years of retail andfood manufacturing experience. In 2000 he ledthe buy-in of food manufacturing businessSymington’s, growing the business from £17mto a turnover of £55m.

Nigel Barraclough, investment director atYFM Equity Partners, who led the deal, said:“Bagel Nash has a fantastic reputation and isalready well-established in Yorkshire.

“This is a perfect example of our philo-sophy of investing in businesses that areundergoing transformational growth.

“We believe there is enormous potential forthe business to expand into other regions and

look forward to using both our experienceand network to help Bagel Nash achieve thisambition.”

Mr Micklethwaite said: “There is a hugeappetite for a healthier alternative to thetraditional sandwich and we believe that ourbagel product can feed that demand.

“This investment from YFM Equity Part-ners will enable us to grow our products andopen up more sites for our customersthroughout the North and Midlands.”

Peter Wood and Amy Wright, of PinsentMason, provided legal advice to the MBIteam.

YFM Equity Partners were advised byIrwin Mitchell and financial due diligence wasprovided by BHP Corporate Finance.

Transactions hitby global crisisCOMMERCIAL property investment transac-tions fell massively in value in Yorkshire during thesecond quarter of 2011.

Figures from commercial property agent Lam-bert Smith Hampton put the total value of suchdeals at £107.3m against £263.3m for the previousthree months.

The most significant deals to take place duringthe second quarter included Ekistics PropertyInvestors’ takeover of a distribution warehouse inSherburn in Elmet for £43.3m, Rockspring Prop-erty’s acquisition of Kirkgate Retail Parade inLeeds for £8.2m and Henderson Global Investors’acquisition of Lowfields Business Park in Ellandfor £5.3m.

Of the total value of transactions, UK institu-tions committed £68.9m during the quarter,accounting for almost two-thirds of the totalactivity against 38% from the first quarter of2011.

The retail and leisure sector, which has domin-

ated transactional activity in recent quarters,accounted for 31.6% of the market, giving way tothe industrial sector, which made up 57% of thetotal market.

Graham Foxton, surveyor with LSH’s Yorkshireagency team, said: “Despite the reported low levelsof transactions last quarter, there is still a weight ofmoney looking to invest in the right product.

“The banks’ decision to become more proactiveon reducing their exposure did not particularlyfilter through to our region in the last quarter, buthopefully this will become more apparent over thesecond half of the year.

“Furthermore, all eyes will be on the globalfinancial markets and how this will affect ongoingappetite for property.”

Nationally, the LSH report recorded £6.6bnworth of investment transactions in the secondquarter – of which just below £1bn were “dis-tressed”. ■ EFFECTS: Graham Foxton, of

LSH’s Yorkshire agency team

Regional officefor UBS teamA NEW Yorkshire office has beenopened by financial body UBS WealthManagement.The opening of the office at CitySquare, Leeds, will be overseen byRichard Bottomley, a member of thefirm’s advisory board and a formersenior partner with KPMG.He is chairman of Greggs Plc PensionScheme and a director at DurhamCounty Cricket Club.Jonathan Brown, head of UBS’ regionalwealth management business in theUK, said: “I am delighted that we haveachieved our ambition of establishingan office in Yorkshire.“Whilst we already have a strongfoothold in Yorkshire, the opening of apermanent office represents animportant addition to our regionaloffice network.”Said Mr Bottomley: “It is exciting to beinvolved in the opening of theYorkshire office of UBS and to workwith such a talented and experiencedteam of investment professionals,including Neil King, James Copeland,Karen Vardy and Claire Kerr.“It is great news for Yorkshire that UBShas decided to open its latest regionaloffice in Leeds.”The Yorkshire operation becomes UBS’sixth UK office, alongside London andteams in Edinburgh, Newcastle,Manchester and Birmingham.

■ CHOICE: Ian Ward, chief executive ofLeeds Building Society

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Winning recipefor accountantsACCOUNTANCY firm RevellWard has renewed its long-stand-ing partnership with Hudders-field Town for the new season.

The firm of chartered account-ants, based at Market Street inthe town centre, has also signedup as title sponsors of the Town’sKitchen challenge, which willtake place later this year.

The cook-off competition isscheduled for October and willsee three of the club’s first teamstars don aprons and chef hats tocompete in a head-to-head chal-lenge.

Andy Wardle, head chef fromLindley’s Catering, will providet h e p l a y e r s w i t h s o m emuch-needed guidance before thecompetition!

Revell Ward first became affili-ated with the club prior to the2009/10 season when its distinct-ive brand featured on the back ofthe academy’s home and awayshirts.

Revell Ward is more usuallyseen adding to business through

services such as audit and assur-ance, expert help on tax, account-ing support, managed payrollsolutions and corporate financeadvice.

Town commercial directorSean Jarvis said: “We aredelighted that Revell Ward haschosen to extend their officialpartnership with the club for athird year.

“I am looking forward towatching Town’s Kitchen chal-lenge develop and eventually cul-minate in an afternoon of highentertainment.”

Revell Ward partner KarenBorowski said: “The past twoyears of our prosperous partner-ship with the club has proven afantastic tool in helping us buildand promote the Revell Wardbrand.

“Hopeful ly, through the‘Town’s Kitchen’ challenge andfurther promotions we will beable to build upon the founda-tions laid over the last two yearsand reach new heights!”

Steve Holroyd

LuptonFawcettCOMMERCIAL law firm LuptonFawcett LLP has appointed SteveHolroyd as consultant with its trusts,wills and estates team in Yorkshire.

Mr Holroyd has almost 40 yearsexperience of providing the full rangeof private client work but specialisesin wills, trust and probate work.

Mr Holroyd joins from BBHO Ltd,formerly Burton, Burton and Ho,where he started his career in 1972as a trainee prior to becoming seniorpartner in 2000.

Keelie Hepton & Paul Braddock

FantasticMediaFULL service marketing agencyFantastic Media has announced twonew appointments – as the company’sgrowing client base creates a biggerworkload for the team.

Birstall-based Fantastic hasrecruited Keelie Hepton and PaulBraddock (both pictured).

Ms Hepton, previously withLeeds-based Propaganda, joins theclient services team as senior accountmanager. Her experience coversworking with clients including Asda,Clipper Logistics, Seabrook Crisps andBoost Drinks.

Mr Braddock, a graduate ofHuddersfield University, was spotted athis end-of-year show by Fantastic’shead of creative. He becomes thefirm’s latest creative designer wherewill learn from the existing team andbring fresh ideas and new techniques.

■ TEAM PICK: Karen Borowski (centre), partner at Revell Ward, withTown commercial director Sean Jarvis and commercial manager TracyNelson

Smooth talkersTWO smooth operators inthe business world are setto reveal the secrets oftheir success.

After a break of threeyears, HuddersfieldUniversity’s BusinessSchool is embarking on anew series of GuestEntrepreneur Events –where leading lights in thebusiness world address anaudience of local businesspeople and students.

Kicking-off the newseries is Richard Reed,co-founder of smoothiesfirm Innocent Drinks, whowill deliver his lecture at theBusiness School lecturetheatre on Friday, October7.

Richard, who hails fromKirkheaton, was awardedan honorary degree by theuniversity in 2010. Theformer Batley GrammarSchool pupil founded theInnocent drinks brand withtwo university friends backin 1999 and the companynow boasts turnover ofabout £100m.

In the second event,Town chairman DeanHoyle will talk to Prof JohnThompson, professor ofentrepreneurship at theuniversity, about hissuccess growing greetingscard business The CardFactory into a multi-milionpound business.

The event on Thursday,October 13, will alsoinclude a Q&A session withother executives from

Huddersfield Town aboutrunning the club.

For details, emailbusinessevents@hud.ac.ukor call 01484 472026

■ TALK SHOW: RichardReed (top), of InnocentDrinks, and Town chairmanDean Hoyle

Stuart Ainley & Vicki Ratcliffe

Wheawill &SudworthACCOUNTANCY firm Wheawill &Sudworth have recruited two newmembers to its fast-growing businessservices team.

Stuart Ainley is providing accountingand tax advice to owner-managedbusinesses in the region.

Vicki Ratcliffe has strengthened theteam’s out-sourcing services, includingpayroll processing and VAT returnpreparation.

Michael Bland, business servicespartners at the Huddersfield firm said:“We are very pleased to secure twoexcellent additions to the firm to helpextend the quality and reliability ofservices we provide to our clients.”

Dragon’s Den victoris one cool customer!A DRAGON slayer is set to tellbusiness people in Huddersfield thesecret of her success.

Kirsty Henshaw delivered one ofthe best pitches ever seen on TV’sDragons’ Den – and secured a £65,000investment from entrepreneurs PeterJones and Duncan Bannatyne inreturn for a 30% stake in her healthyfrozen dessert business, Worthen-shaws.

The range of dairy-free, nut-freeand sugar-free frozen puddings wasrebranded as Worthenshaws Freedomand launched across the UK in allmajor supermarkets in September,2010.

And the success of the company hasled Kirsty to plan other healthyproducts to complement the dessertrange.

Kirsty was inspired to create herrange of frozen products by herfour-year-old son, Jacob who has aserious nut allergy and is intolerant todairy products and gluten.

She began experimenting with alittle ice cream maker from Argos inher tiny kitchen at home. Convincedshe had a recipe that children andadults would enjoy as a healthy altern-ative to ice cream, she approached alocal ice cream manufacturer to makethe products in larger quantities.

Her knowledge of the health foodindustry comes from her parents whorun a health food shop.

In addition, Kirsty took performingarts at school and amateur dramatics– although she maintains these skills

could not prepare her for the “surreal”experience of appearing on Dragon’sDen.

Kirsty will talk about her entrepren-eurial journey so far when sheaddressed delegates at the KirkleesBusiness Conference on September 29at the Galpharm Stadium..

She emphasises the importance ofbuilding great relationships with thepeople around you and knowing yourbusiness model inside-out.

For more information about theKirklees Business Conference and tob o o k yo u r f re e t i c ke t s v i s i twww.kirkleesbusinessconference.co.uk

■ JUST DESSERTS: Peter Joneswith entrepreneur Kirsty Henshaw