Kirklees Business News, 16th February 2010

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees16, Febr uar y, 2010

INSIDE

exam

iner

.co.

uk

● Full story - Page 8

● Full story - Page 7

Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

JEREMY HOLMES MICHELLE DAVYLoving life on the farm

Ful l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Univer s i ty chal lenge

Repor t - Page 5

FTSE 100+25.02

5167.47An EXAMINER publication

Five-yearsuccessDEWSBURY companyCutwel Ltd is helpinglaw firm ChadwickLawrence celebrate fiveyears of a service tohelp employers.The Employer SupportPack provides servicesin the area of humanresources for small andmedium-sizedenterprises that don’tneed a full-scale HRdepartment.

PropertyupturnPROPERTY prices arestrengthening, a pollhas suggested.Eddisons said 85% ofclients responding tothe poll thoughtcommercial propertyprices would increaseor remain the sameduring 2010.

Sanderson makes in-roads with M&S projectA COMPANY specialising in high-ways design has won a contract towork on the largest Marks & Spencerstore outside London.

Consulting engineers SandersonAssociates, based at Grange Moor,will design and project manage all theoff-site highways works at the new£45m M&S store at Cheshire Oaks inEllesemere Port, near Chester.

The flagship store will be Marks &

Spencer’s largest for 10 years and itsbiggest development in the UK out-side London.

The contract has been awarded bydeveloper Simons Developments Ltd,which is designing the store to includefeatures to significantly cut energy usecompared with a similar sized M&Sstore.

Alison France, managing director ofSanderson Associates, said: “This is a

tremendous start to the new year forus. Cheshire Oaks is a major develop-ment and we look forward to deliver-ing a complex project on time andwithin budget.

Neither will we compromise onquality.

“The retail sector has taken a ham-mering during this recession, butMarks & Spencer has proved remark-ably resilient.

“The company’s £45m investment inthe Ellesmere Port store is evidencethat it has the confidence to expand inthese difficult times.”

Sanderson Associates has identified10 separate highway projects that willneed to be designed and constructedbefore the new store can open.

Work is due to start on site atCheshire Oaks early in 2010 with thestore expected to open in 2012.

Strong demand forsupply chain gameA HUDDERSFIELD firm has signedup some of industry’s biggest namesfor an online training programme witha difference.

Supply chain consultancy SCALA,based at the town’s Media Centre, haslaunched an internet-based competi-tion to help firms train their staff tounderstand the impact a supply chainhas on company performance.

Global businesses including Kim-berley Clark, Kraft Foods and the USconfectionery giant’s newly-acquiredCadbury’s business have alreadysigned up to the interactive web-basedtraining initiative.

The competition, called The FreshConnection, encourages teams of pro-fessionals from all industries to com-pete against each other online.

Participants are challenged to save afailing “virtual” business by focusingon the main elements of the supplychain process, including operations,sales and procurement.

The game calls on participants to

use teamwork and expertise to save thevirtual fruit juice manufacturer fromdemise and develop it into a profitablecompany.

Over a seven week period, startingon 12 April, it involves weekly heatsduring which teams will make tacticaland strategic decisions to save thebusiness – at each stage demonstratingits importance towards the process ofcreating an efficient supply chain.

The competition will culminate in aprestigious final in July at the stunninglocation of Wroxall Abbey, in War-wickshire.

The winners will be presented withfour tickets to the British Grand Prix atSilverstone.

SCALA managing director JohnPerry said: “By using an interactiveand competitive edge, The Fresh Con-nection is a great tool for staff trainingand development, as well as teambuilding.

“Not only is this an exciting compet-ition, it is about understanding how

businesses operate and run successfulglobal operations.

“Although it has already run suc-cessfully in other European countriesincluding Holland, where 280 teamsfrom some of Europe’s largest busi-nesses took part, this is a first for theUK industry.”

The competition has already con-firmed teams from the likes of Wincan-t o n , K i m b e r ly C l a rk , H e i n z ,Cadbury’s, Bernard Matthews andKraft.

Keith Newton, customer logisticsdirector for Cadbury’s in the UK andIreland, said: “The Fresh Connectionprovides us with an excellent oppor-tunity to enable some of our talentedpeople from across our supply chainteams to practice working and learningtogether in an integrated and collabor-ative way and in a competitive environ-ment with other peer businesses.”

For details of this competition go toat www.thefreshconnection.co.uk

■ FRUITFUL: A web-based trainingprogramme by John Perry, of supplychain advisers SCALA, has attractedattention from industry big-hitters

Yorkshire’s Legal Peoplewww.chadwicklawrence.co.uk01484 519 999Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5167.4Up 25.0

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.67 dollarsBangladesh................. 102.17 takaBrazil.............................. 2.60 realsCanada....................... 1.57 dollarsChina ............................. 9.55 yuanCzech Republic ...... 27.42 korunasDenmark....................... 8.14 kroneEuro............................... 1.10 euroHong Kong................ 11.53 dollarsHungary ................... 279.46 forintsIndia.......................... 63.89 rupeesJapan........................... 134.27 yenMexico ....................... 18.02 pesosNew Zealand .............. 2.09 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.83 kronePakistan.................. 125.13 rupeesPhilippines ................. 62.00 pesosSouth Africa.................. 11.26 randSouth Korea.............. 1566.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 168.87 rupeesSweden....................... 10.84 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.61 francsTaiwan ...................... 43.87 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.24 new liraUSA ............................ 1.49 dollars

Carclo 150 +1Chapelthorpe 15 +1/4Marshalls 85 +3/4National Grid 639 -1RensburgSheppards

5811/2 +21/2

Weir Gp 7351/2 -31/2

More time for deal talksFORMER KGB agent and EveningStandard owner Alexander Lebedevhas been given more time to secure adeal to buy The Independent andIndependent on Sunday, it has beenconfirmed.

Independent News & Media said aperiod of exclusivity – due to endyesterday – had been extended toFebruary 26 in order to “facilitatebringing these discussions to a suc-cessful conclusion”.

The Russian oligarch already ownsLondon’s Evening Standard aftersnapping up the loss-making paper inJanuary of last year for a nominalfee.

A deal bringing the Independentnewspapers into the same fold as theEvening Standard is considered to bea logistical fit.

INM titles already share the sameoffices as the London paper afterrelocating to space with the Stand-ard’s minority-owner AssociatedNewspapers in Kensington, westLondon.

The future of the Independent andits Sunday counterpart have beenwidely speculated on over the pastyear as its Dublin-based parent hassuffered losses amid an advertisingslump.

BA still on coursefor airlines tie-upSHARES in British Airways took offafter US regulators put forward lessstringent conditions than expected forits tie-up with American Airlines.

The two airlines and their “one-world” alliance partners Iberia, Fin-nair and Royal Jordanian Airlines willonly have to give up four pairs of prizedtake-off and landing slots at Heathrowunder a draft ruling from the USDepartment of Transportation.

BA has been dogged by industrialdisputes, winter weather – as well assharing in the difficult conditions facedby the aviation sector as a whole inrecent months.

But markets welcomed the moveyesterday as shares rose by 3% – or 5.1p– to 200.6p..

The strengthening of the alliance willsee the airlines jointly market routes,

co-ordinate schedules as well as cutdown on costs and connection times.

The tie-up still requires finalapproval from the Department otTransportation and clearance from theEuropean Commission.

The airlines will work together onroutes between USA, Canada andMexico and the European Union,Switzerland and Norway while con-tinuing to operate as separate entities.

The move enraged BA’s bittertransatlantic rival Virgin, which calledon European regulators to block thedeal. Virgin called the DoT decision “areal kick in the teeth for consumers”.

While the alliance partners mustmake four pairs of Heathrow slots –each worth about £20m – available tocompetition, it represents a fraction ofthe 130 transatlantic slots currently

controlled by BA and AA.This is the third time that BA has

applied for anti-trust immunity for analliance with AA after previous tie-upattempts in 1997 and 2001 foundered.

Panmure Gordon analyst Gert Zon-neveld said: “This is clearly very signi-ficant for BA.

“It’s a major market for them and theability of the alliance to effectivelyoperate as one player is a majoradvantage.”

The DoT said the proposed alliancewould enhance competition by giving anew rival to the existing Star Allianceand the SkyTeam tie-up, which havealready been granted immunity.

Opponents have 60 days to voicetheir objections to the DoT’s draftruling.

VT improves offer for MouchelENGINEERING firm Mouchel is con-sidering an increased takeover offerfrom VT Group.

VT – formerly shipbuilder VosperThornycroft – has increased its bidprice to £330m after Mouchel “unan-imously rejected” two takeoverapproaches at the end of 2009.

The Surrey-based firm is consult-ing with its major shareholdersabout the new offer, which valueseach Mouchel share at 294p basedon VT’s closing share price on Fri-day. When the one month averagefor VT share price is used, the offeris valued at 305p, or £342m.

VT offered the equivalent of 260p ashare in December, but the stock

reached 384p last year and Sch-roders, which holds a 12.4% stake inMouchel, is reportedly said to beholding out for more than 300p ashare.

Newspaper reports also saidM&G, which owns just over 11%,believed the earlier 260p-a-share bidseriously undervalued the com-pany.

Mouchel is an attractive target forVT because of its presence in thelocal government sector, where itprovides services such as wastedisposal and road management.

VT is expected to benefit as gov-ernment cuts result in greater out-sourcing to the private sector.

Trio planflotationsTHREE companies haveannounced plans to raisemore than £400mthrough stock marketflotations.

Yorkshire healthcaresoftware business EMIS,Blackburn-basededucational supplies firmPromethean and youthfashion retailerSuperGroup have allconfirmed fundraisingplans.

The moves show theappetite for smaller-scalelaunches remains –despite several majorflotations being pulled inrecent days due tomarket turbulence,including fashion retailerNew Look and AltonTowers group MerlinEntertainments.

Promethean aims toraise about £250m byfloating about half thebusiness. SuperGroup isissuing shares worth anestimated £125m whileEMIS hopes to raise£50m.

SuperGroup, owner ofthe Superdry brand, has40 stores of its own in theUK and 54 concessionsin department store chainHouse of Fraser.

Promethean, whichfocuses on reception,primary and secondaryeducation, has benefitedfrom strong annualgrowth in educationspending during the pastdecade. The company’sequipment is used inschools in 100 countries,helping to educate morethan 12m students.

Leeds-based EMISemploys almost 800people and was set up in1987 to computerisepatient recordspreviously kept on paper.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £24.52Gannett 911.99Hess Corp £37.28Microsoft 1782.50Motors Liquidation 47.87Wal-Mart Stores £33.76

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEBAE Systems 3413/8 -1/4Rolls-Royce Gp 5071/2 +1Smiths Grp 1014 +8VT Group 584 +76

AIMBrady Plc 651/2Dawson Intl 23/4 +1/8

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 102 -1

BANKSBarclays 275 +13HSBC 657 +71/4Lloyds Banking Gp 463/4 +1/4Ryl Scotland 315/8 +3/8Stan Chart 1427 +131/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1030SABMiller 1679 +1

CHEMICALSCroda 7971/2 +1/2Delta 142 +3/4Elementis 98 521/2 +2Johnsn Mat 1553 +1

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2603/8 +13/8Costain 221/4 -3/4

ELECTRICITYDrax Grp 4113/8 +13/8

Intl Power 3265/8 -25/8Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1171 +8

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTChloride 1741/2 +13/4Invensys 3051/4 -3/4Laird 1255/8 -13/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3107/8 +21/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1193/8 -31/8C & W 1363/4Colt Telecom 126KCOM 531/2 -1/4

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2953/4 -21/8Sainsbury 3241/2 -15/8Tesco 4233/4 -1/4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 8991/2Cadbury 839 -31/2Nth Foods 581/4Tate Lyle 4101/4 -43/4Unilever 1852 -15Uniq 24 -1/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 2725/8 +13/8National Grid 639 -1Pennon Grp 515 -1/2Severn 1136 +4United Utils 5331/2 -41/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2523/4 +23/4ICAP 3265/8 -23/4London StockExch 6351/2 -51/2Man Group 2191/2 -1Provident Financial 9211/2 +21/2

Schroders 1118 +2Schroders NV 9331/2 +21/2

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSAvon Rbbr 881/2Cooksn Grp 4537/8 +51/4REXAM 2821/4 -5/8

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 13 +3/4DSG International 281/2 -7/8Home Retail 2575/8 -13/8Inchcape 241/2 -1/4Kingfisher 2053/4 -37/8M & S 3261/2 -13/8Mothercare 634 -3Next 1903 -14WH Smith 4801/2 -31/8

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 659 +6

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 129 -1Barrat Dev 1115/8 +1Persimmon 4097/8 +11/4Reckitt Benckiser £331/8Taylor Wimpey 355/8

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 683 -3I M I 549 +21/2Man Brnze 831/2 -11/2

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 2413/8 +113/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 1601/4Forth Ports 1033 +8

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3661/8 +61/4Lgl & Gen 711/2 +13/4

Old Mutual 1021/8 +13/8Prudential 574 +3Resolution 751/4 -1/4Standard Life 1943/4 +21/8

MEDIABSkyB 525 -11/2Chrysalis 1001/2 -61/2D Mail Tst 4401/2 +25/8ITV 493/4Johnston Press 25 +3/4Pearson 8671/2 -1Reed Elsevier 4863/4 -21/4STV Group 47 -23/4Trinity Mirror 1331/4 -3/4Utd Business 4221/2 +101/4UTV 104 +2WPP 592 -21/2Yell Group 371/4 -1

MININGAnglo American £231/2 +3/8Antofagasta 853 -21/2BHP Billiton 19131/2 +151/2Eurasian NaturalRes

930 -8

Fresnillo 7311/2 +11Kazakhmys 1264 +11Lonmin 1811 +5Rio Tinto £323/4 +3/4VEDANTARESOURCES

£235/8

Xstrata 10181/2 +131/2

MOBILE TELECOM SERVICESInmarsat 720 +21/2Vodafone Group 1387/8 -1/8

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1170 +7RSA Insurance Gp 129 +13/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERS

BG 1146 +5BP 5751/4 +15/8Cairn Energy 3371/4 +33/4Norsk Hdro 4331/8 -23/8Royal Dutch Shell A 17271/2 +1Royal Dutch Shell B 16661/2 +3Total £361/4 +1/8Tullow Oil 1178 -1

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESPetrofac 9901/2 +21/2Wood Group 3413/4 +31/4

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry 6091/2 +71/2PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £28 +1/4Axis-Shield 388 -6GlaxoSmithK XD 61/2Shire 1269 +10

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4463/4 +23/8DTZ Hldgs 823/4Hamrsn 383 -21/4Land Secs 6321/2 +31/2SEGRO 3045/8 +13/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1494 -8Dimension Data 827/8 -1/8Logica 1121/4 +7/8Misys 2021/2 +1Sage Group 2227/8 -3/8

SUPPORT SERVICESAMEC 765 +101/2Bunzl 6281/2 -1/2Capita 716 -1Davis ServiceGroup

3933/4 -23/4

De La Rue 9341/2 -6Electrocomp 1853/4 +3/4Experian 600 -21/2G4S 2563/4 -21/2Hays 1061/4 -1Homeserve 1648 -12Menzies J 299 -31/4Rentokil 1161/4 +11/4Smiths News 1171/4 +1/4Wolseley 1355

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 1947/8 -21/2Psion 931/2 +31/2Spirent Comms 1051/4 -13/4

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £211/2 -1/8Imperial Tobacco £203/8 -1/8

LEISURE & HOTELSArriva 4923/4 +43/8Brit Airways 2005/8 +51/8

Carnival £223/4 +1/2Compass Grp 4541/8 +35/8easyJet 398 -15/8Enterprise Inns 1065/8 +13/4FirstGroup 3443/4 +83/4Go-Ahead 1318 -7Greene King 415 +4Intercontl Htls 920 +5Ladbrokes 1513/8 +13/4Mitchells & Butlers 2691/8 -11/4Natl Express 1961/2 -11/4PartyGaming 2771/2 +3/4Rank Org 901/4 +11/8Stagecoach Group 173 +21/4TUI Travel 2621/8 -17/8Whitbread 1366 -3

INDEXFTSE 100 5167.47 +25.02

INDEXFTSE 250 9072.96 +19.99

■ TAIL PIECE: British Airways is oncourse for American Airlines tie-up

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile

JeremyHolmes

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: PartnerAge: 37Family: Married toLouise with childrenOliver, five, andCharlotte, threeHolidays: Franceand MajorcaCar: Audi A6First job: Feedingthe calves on thefamily farmBest thing aboutjob: Customerfeedback on whatwe have achievedso farWorst thingabout job: Thelong hoursBusiness tip:There are highs andlows in business –so enjoy the highs!

P Holmes& SonWork: Dairy farmingSite: Upper DenbyEmploys: FivePhone: 01226762551Email: [email protected],uk

Happywith lifeon thefarm!

FARMING is in the blood forJeremy Holmes.

Jeremy is a thirdgeneration farmer and runsdairy business P Holmes &Son at Delph House Farm,Upper Denby.

The farm has about 250acres of pasture and has 11roundsmen supplying milkto about 9,000 customers innearby villages such asDenby Dale, Scissett,Clayton West as well asHuddersfield and parts ofWakefield and Leeds. Italso has about 50 shopsand restaurants on thebooks.

In common with manyworking farms, the businesshas also diversified – in thiscase making ice creamusing milk from the farm’sown herd of Holstein cows.Jeremy is joined by wifeLouise in the venture, calledYummy Yorkshire.

The brand is making aname for itself with unusualice cream flavours,including Lou’s Liquorice,caramel fudge, cheesecakeand honey ginger.

Yummy Yorkshire,already a winner in theregional deliciouslyorkshireawards, also has an icecream parlour at the farmand has teamed up withlocal companies such asBradley-based CoopersCoffee to broaden its menu.

Said Jeremy: “Louisemakes the ice cream fivetimes a week during thesummer, but we work at it24-7. We have come a longway in short space of time.

“When we decided wewanted to set up the icecream business, we knewwe had to get it rightbecause there are a lot ofsmall independent icecream makers alreadyestablished in our area.

“We decided to ‘tweak’the flavours. We made afew batches and anyonevisiting the farm was askedto try it out and tell us whatthey thought. Now everytime we make a new flavourwe ask our customers whatthey think of it.”

“Now we have about 35flavours as well as specialone-offs for Christmas andBonfire Night. We haverecently worked withHinchliffe’s Farm Shop atNetherton to make a lemoncurd ice cream.”

After attending a Meetthe Buyer event for regionalfood firms – held atHuddersfield’s GalpharmStadium – YummyYorkshire has landed acontract to supply Asdastores in Huddersfield,Halifax and Wakefieldstarting in March.

Jeremy believes that willwiden the products’ appealeven further. “We have acouple who drive fromRipponden just to visit the

ice cream parlour,” he says.“More and more peoplemake a special trip to visitus or call in as part of theirday’s outing.”

Jeremy’s roots remain infarming. His grandfather,who came from Bradford,began the agriculturalbusiness, which Jeremy’sfather moved to DelphHouse Farm in 1965.

Says Jeremy: “I havebeen involved mainly in themilk processing side of thebusiness, although I startedout by helping feed thecalves.

“I went to ShuttleworthAgricultural College for a12-month course to learnmore about arable farming,but I still know I wanted tostay in the milk business.

“In 1992 – at 20 years ofage – I went to Australia for12 months and worked on afarm in Western Australiafor a couple of monthsbefore taking a break fromagriculture completely.

“I did a variety of jobs –including washing up for acafe in Sydney and workingfor a market gardener onthe outskirts of Perth.

“I went to Australia on myown, which meant I had tomake the effort to meet andtalk to people. When youwork on a remote farm, youdon’t meet new peopleevery day, so that was a bigthing for me and I was verynervous. But it gave me amassive confidence boost.

“It was a great year and Ienjoyed it tremendously. Insome ways, I know moreabout Australia thanEngland because I totallyembraced the country. Iwouldn’t necessarily like tolive there, but I admire theirattitude and like thelifestyle.”

“When I got back to the

farm, my father said he wasgoing to retire. From thattime, he took a back seatand I took over from there.He’s still on the farm anddoes some of thepaperwork.”

Jeremy said milkprocessing remained a bigpart of the business withthe ice cream operationseen as an “add-on” togenerate extra cash.

“We have plans togenerate more business forYummy Yorkshire,” he says.Ideas include offeringchildren’s parties at theparlour and working withschools to show pupils whathappens on a working farm.

Says Jeremy: “We getlots of emails from peopleasking us to deliver ice

cream all over Yorkshireand while we want to tapinto the Yorkshire market,going nationwide would bemore difficult.

“We are happy to stickwith our Yorkshire roots forthe time being and we arehappy to let the businessgrow with us.”

Running the farm leaveslittle time other interests,although Jeremy says:“Louise and I like to go outfor a meal. We are intotrying local food and tryingout local farm shops. Wehave gained more businessby going out, speaking tochefs and interesting themin our products.”

■ MILK RUN: Jeremy Holmessampled life in Australia, butreturned to the family farm

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal

Get tax efficientTHE tax year-end is fast

approaching and now isan ideal time to re-reviewyour financial affairs toensure that they are astax-efficient as possible.

This is particularly importantas the new tax year will seealready announced tax increasesand possibly a change in Govern-ment, which could bring in yetmore tax changes.

As you are probably aware, thetop rate of income tax will rise to50% from April 6, 2010. This onlyapplies to individuals with tax-able income in excess of £150,000.For many, though, the highest taxrate will remain at 40%.

The tax-free personal allow-ance will remain at £6,475 for2010/11. Furthermore, for thosewith income over £100,000 thisallowance will taper away andwill be reduced to nil where anindividual’s income exceeds£112,950. Due to the interactionof the thresholds and tax rates,marginal rates of tax could be ashigh as 60% and for thoseaffected, it is important to con-sider how such tax rates can bemitigated.

There are particular opportun-ities for business-owners includ-ing:

● Advancing bonus/dividendpayments into this tax year tolock into a maximum income taxrate of 40%

● Taking loans from the family

company after April 5, 2010, inlieu of bonuses/dividends toreduce taxable income

● Structuring tax-efficientshare schemes to convert incomeinto capital

●“Re-starting” profitable con-sultancy companies to extractretained profits at lower capitalgains tax rates

● Introducing corporate part-ners into family partnerships toshelter income at lower companyrates of tax

● Incorporating profitable soletrader and partnership busi-nesses

● Switching to a fiscal finan-cial year-end for certain unincor-porated businesses

Married couples and civil part-ners have a few additionaltax-saving options. Where pos-sible, they should ensure that theyboth utilise their personal allow-ances and lower-rate tax bands.As transfers of assets betweenthem are free of all taxes they may

be able to arrange their assets,such as bank accounts, shareholdings, efficiently to mitigatethe extent of any higher rate taxliabilities.

Where a sale of a capital asset iscontemplated and a gain will bemade consideration should begiven to transferring an interestto the spouse so that two capitalgains tax annual exemptions(£10,100 for 2009/10) can be util-ised rather than one.

Charitable Gift Aid donationsshould also be made by thespouse who is the highest ratetaxpayer as they are able toobtain the optimum relief forthese payments, without affectingthe tax position of the charity.

Tax on savings income can alsobe mitigated by investing in ISAs.The amount most can invest forthe current tax year is £7,200.This is set to rise to £10,200 fromApril 6, 2010. For those bornbefore April 5, 1960 the limit isalready £10,200.

TAXTALKColin Barratt

Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworthchartered accountants, Huddersfield

■ FIRED UP: Tom Stevenson (centre) with Dragon's Den panellist PeterJones and Maggie Choo, of Alibaba.com

TreblechanceTHREE companies inHuddersfield are workingtogether to expand theirbusinesses.Coaching company YCChange,established four years ago byowner Yvonne Castle, has linkedup with Yorkshire BusinessGrowth Ltd and Mosaic VirtualOffice in a bid to help YCChangewiden its services and provideexpertise across both private andpublic sectors.Paul Scott, of Yorkshire BusinessGrowth Ltd, has joined anewly-established executive teamat YCChange, takingresponsibility for strategicmarketing.He is joined by Sarah Gathercole,owner of Mosaic Virtual Office inHuddersfield, who will look aftercorporate support.The team – with three otherspecialists – will transformYCChange.To mark the development, thebusiness has been re-brandedand a new website launched.Said Yvonne: “This is an excitingtransformation of the business.“I’ve been mulling over how Icould expand it – in a sustainableway – to provide a wider range ofservices to our customers.“I’ve formed close partnershipswith a number of trustedcolleagues over the years.“The people we’ve brought in adda huge amount to the corebusiness and will enable us tocompete with some big players inthe market.”Paul said: “Yvonne and I haveworked together for a while nowand share the same businessvalues.“I’m looking forward to playingmy part in helping Yvonneexpand her business significantlyover the coming months.And Sarah added: “We havesupported Yvonne for a numberof years now and it is a greatopportunity for the Huddersfieldbusinesses to link together andhelp each other.”YCChange, based at Ainley Top,provides business consultancy,interim management and lifecoaching services for individualsand businesses as well as localauthorities and social housingassociations.Yorkshire Business Growth,based at Longwood, providesconsultancy on sales, marketingand business strategy to helpcompanies to increase their salesand revenues.Mosaic Virtual Office, also basedin Longwood, provides firms witha secretarial and telephoneanswering service – providing a“virtual” receptionist and PA roleto busy companies across theregion.

Dragon’s Den starprovides top tipsBRIGHOUSE entrepreneur TomStevenson has lunched with Dragon’sDen star Peter Jones – to get sometop tips on running his business.

Tom was invited to the RoyalExchange in London to lunch withPeter, who is chairman of EnterpriseUK, and Maggie Choo, director ofAlibaba.com, the online marketplacefor small and medium-sized firms.

The two-hour lunch date wasTom’s prize for being a finalist inAlibaba.com’s Global Startup Chal-lenge. Seven finalists were chosenfrom hundreds of entrants in thecompetition to build a business froma £1,000 budget provided byAlibaba.com.

The contestants gathered togetherto discuss with Maggie and Peterhow to move their fledgling busi-nesses forward.

Peter said he was impressed withthe wealth of talent he encountered.“In order to achieve success in busi-ness, entrepreneurs must be hard-working, enthusiastic, creative and

driven,” he said. “Once you have agood idea, it’s important to drive itforward as hard as you can.

“I’m delighted to spend a couple ofhours brainstorming with Tom onhow to build on the foundation thatthe Global Startup Challenge hasprovided.

“I have always been passionateabout nurturing the entrepreneurialspirit. From my experiences as aninvestor and through launching myown National Enterprise Academy in2009, I have been hugely encouragedby the quality of entrepreneur ourcountry is capable of producing.”

Tom said: “The chance to spendtime with a business guru like Peterhas been the highlight of the compet-ition for me.

“It has been such a privilege to gethis take on my business and run someideas for future development pasthim. I’m really excited about takingthe business forward in the comingmonths and achieving further suc-cess.”

Tom really made the competitionsizzle with his plans to make thehumble barbecue an integral part ofChristmas. Having enjoyed two bar-becued turkeys as part of previousfestive feasts, Tom is convinced he

can elevate the summer favourite to ayear-round culinary delight.

He has now set up website –www.baregrills.co.uk – to providehints, tips and accessories for Christ-mas barbecues.

Food focusEMPLOYERS in Kirklees are being urgedto help frame a new qualification foremployees in the food and drink sector.Improve, the Yorkshire-based food anddrink sector skills council, is developingthe Achieving Food ManufacturingExcellence qualification to boost theskills of people working in thefast-growing sector.It will focus on issues such as strategy,leadership and management and drawson tried and tested improvementtechniques such as lean manufacturing,focusing on their application in the foodand drink industry.Major food firms already working withImprove to develop the new qualification,include Heinz, Swizzels and Matlow.

W&SWheawill & Sudworth

“TAX STRATEGIES FOR ALL SEASONS”

Get some innovative thinking and ideasto help your business:

Remuneration planning for family companiesIncentivising key employeesNew structures for professional partnershipsTax breaks for capital and R&D investmentCGT mitigation on company sales

Contact Colin Barratt or Andrew Rainbowfor further details

Wheawill & SudworthChartered Accountants, Business & Tax Advisers,

Registered Auditors35 Westgate, Huddersfield, HD1 1PA

Tel 01484 423691 Fax 01484 518803W www.wheawills.co.uk

➣➣➣➣➣

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local

BANKER’SBLOGJill Hague

Jill Hague is HSBC area commercialdirector for Calderdale and Kirklees

An exchange of viewsIN this column, I thought I would

share with you the thoughts of oneof my senior members of the teamDavid Menaghan, international com-mercial manager based in Hudders-field, on managing foreign exchangerisks.

We've seen how volatile currency marketswere as we headed into the recession and it’slikely that the markets will be just as unpre-dictable following the welcome announce-ment that the recession is officially over.

Whether your business is importing orexporting, it is important to know theamount in sterling being paid or receivedwhen contracts are struck.

Remaining in the spot market does notgive you any guarantees and – in some cases– currency losses may wipe out any profits inthe underlying contract.

The impact that exchange rate fluctu-ations have on profitability will vary but itcan be significant as we have seen within thelast 12 months, where, for example, the USdollar has traded between 1.37 and 1.70 – arange of 26%.

Managing foreign exchange risk does nothave to be complicated and HSBC advocatethe use of a simple four-point plan:

● Understand your exposures – whatimpact would an adverse currency move-ment have on your profitability?

● Understand the alternatives – you canchoose to buy or sell currency in the spotmarket. Whilst simple, you will not know

how much sterling you will need to pay orreceive on your currency until the day inquestion. This can be a high risk strategy asthe rate may move significantly after youagree the price with your customer or sup-plier. You may lock in to a fixed rate bybooking a forward contract. This providescertainty but you could suffer an opportun-ity loss if rates subsequently move in yourfavour and you have to transact at theforward rate.

An alternative is to use a currency optionthat will offer you the potential for upsidebenefit if rates move in your favour (like aspot deal), but will provide protectionagainst adverse rate movements (like a for-ward contract). However, a premium may bepayable.

● Develop a strategy – it may be best toadopt a portfolio approach, using a combin-ation of spot, forward contracts and cur-rency options. As an example, you maydecide to transact 25% of your currency atspot, fix 25% with a forward contract andcover 50% with an option.

This way, if rates move in your favour, you

will benefit on 75% of your exposure (spotand options) whilst if rates move against you,you are protected on 75% (forward contractsand options). This is a balanced approachthat provides flexibility and avoids you pay-ing a premium for all of your protection.

● Implement it – historically, currencymarkets have been extremely unpredictable.It makes sense therefore, once you haveformulated a strategy, to implement itwithout delay and ensure your profits areprotected.

For many businesses, the impact ofexchange rate volatility can be significant. AtHSBC we have a team of specialists availableto advise you on developing an appropriatestrategy for your business to mitigate someof those risks.

Fo r f u r t h e r d e t a i l s e m a i l d [email protected]

Degrees of successfor talented graduatesBUSINESSES in Huddersfield are helpingYorkshire’s graduates improve their employ-ment prospects.

Huddersfield University has teamed upwith regional development agency YorkshireForward and the Higher Education FundingCouncil for England to offer Yorkshire gradu-ates paid 12-week internships at local com-panies.

The scheme gives graduates valuable exper-ience and enables businesses to take advant-age of the enthusiasm and passion of recentgraduates.

SimplyBiz, the Huddersfield-based finan-cial adviser support service was one of the firstto sign up for the scheme. And after taking onHuddersfield University public relationsgraduate Katy Bloxham as an intern, thecompany has now offered her a permanentposition as events co-ordinator following thesuccess of the scheme.

Said Katy: “When I joined the company asa marketing intern I was pretty much thrownin at the deep end, helping to organise thelaunch of a new service.

“Getting to know how a company the sizeof SimplyBiz works has been amazing and it’sgiven me the chance to put all the things Ilearnt on the PR course into practice in realsituations.

“I’ve just been offered the permanent posi-tion of events co-ordinator with the company,so it shows just how important doing aninternship really is for graduates.”

Michelle Davy, head of marketing at

SimplyBiz, said: “We have been veryimpressed with Katy’s contribution to thecompany – so much so that we have nowemployed her on a permanent basis.

“Being involved with the internship scheme

has given us a great opportunity to utilise theskills, knowledge and enthusiasm of someonewho has recently graduated and I wouldthoroughly recommend the scheme to anybusiness.”

With funding from Yorkshire Forward andHEFCE, the university contributes two-thirdsof the salary cost of a graduate internship –meaning graduates can spend a fixed amountof time working on a specific project and gaininvaluable experience, equipping them for thewider world of work.

“Internships are a great way for recentgraduates to gain real experience, developtheir skills and prove their potential,” saidAndrew Stainton, of the university’s careersand employability service.

The scheme offers 12-week internships inareas such as marketing, engineering, designand IT, but can also be in a more generalproject management role. Graduates work37-hour weeks and are paid £300 a week, ofwhich the university contributes £200 and thehost employer £100.

Internships are open to any graduate in theregion who has completed their studies at aUK university in the last 18 months.

Employers and graduates can find out moreby contacting Andrew Stainton on 01484472732 or [email protected]

■ DEGREE OF SUCCESS: Public relations graduate Katy Bloxham (left) with MichelleDavy, head of marketing at Simply Biz

Charity driveKIRKLEES firms supporting goodcauses have been urged to enter theBusiness Charity Awards.The competition, launched by ThirdSector magazine and the Institute ofFundraising, aims to recognisecompanies showing leadership andcommitment in forging relationships withthe voluntary sector.Businesses can enter atwww.BusinessCharityAwards.com. Thedeadline is March 11 and the winners willbe announced on June 29.

WINNINGWAYS...

HELPING BUSINESSES INKIRKLEES DEVELOP AND GROW

FREEEVENTFREEEVENTFREEEVENTFREEEVENT

Thursday 25February 20109.30am – 2.30pm

EnglishPartnership SuiteGalpharm StadiumHuddersfieldHD1 6PG

Organised by Kirklees Council andBusiness Link Yorkshire there willbe workshops on the following:

• VAT made simple• Access to finance• How to grow your business• Taking on employees• How to do business with

Kirklees CouncilPlus, don’t miss over 20 exhibitorsincluding Jobcentre Plus, HMRCand UKTI.

Places are limited so book now toavoid disappointment.

FOR FREE EXPERT BUSINESS ADVICE THINK BUSINESS LINK

Call: 08456 048048E:[email protected]: www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk/events and search by eventtitle ‘Winning Ways’

For more information contact Alec Michaelon 07717 870 320 or email [email protected]

Commercial Industrial Commercial/Offices

For Sale

2 Moor Lane, Highburton,Huddersfield352 m2 (3,792 sq ft)

Prominently located former Co-op in centreof village with parking.

To Let / May SellOn the instructions of GW Body Shop Ltd

Nile Street, off St Thomas’Road, Huddersfield3,664 m2 (39,442 sq ft)

Principally single storey workshop premisescurrently being used as a body repairgarage close to town centre just off ChapelHill with offices and secure yard.

Northgate, Almondbury39 m2 (420 sq ft)

Ground floor commercial/retail space in busy parade in centreof Almondbury with parking

Clifton House, Clifton Road, Brighouse191m

2(2,054 sq ft) net

High quality prominent office suite with on site parking,recently redecorated.

To Let - immediately available

To Let – Less than £4 per sq ft

Unit M2, Colneside BusinessPark, Milnsbridge836 m2 (9,000 sq ft)

Good quality single storeywarehouse/industrial unitwith excellent communalyard facilities.

Park Road Mills,Park Road, Elland11,356 - 25,600 sq ft

Single storey cost effectiveindustrial/production space with officesand on site parking easily accessibleto J24 M62.

To Let

To Let

tel: 01484 530361www.bramleys.com

Joint Agent

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property

Survey points tostronger pricingPROPERTY prices are strengthening, asurvey has suggested.

The latest property and economic sur-vey carried out among clients by commer-cial property agency Eddisons showed that85% of respondents thought commercialproperty prices would increase or remainthe same during 2010.

The findings suggest the sector may havereached the bottom of the cycle for mostproperty asset classes.

In addition, 65% of respondents feel thatprices at the end of 2011 will be higher thancurrent values.

Simon Croft, director in the agencydepartment at Eddisons, said: “These find-ings suggest there is renewed confidence inthe property sector going into 2010.

“We could well see buyers of commercialproperty returning to the market to reapmaximum value in advance of any pricerises.”

Among other key findings, 40% ofrespondents were more confident aboutthe general economy at the time of thesurvey than they were 12 months ago while39% felt the same as they did at the start oflast year. However, 20% of respondentsfeel less optimistic.

Some 64% of respondents are confident

that the economy will improve during 2010while 71% anticipate interest rates will risebetween 1 and 2% during 2010 – with 1%being the most likely increase.

Asked about the forthcoming generalelection, 84% of respondents predict that-David Cameron’s Conservatives will formthe next government.

As part of the survey respondents werealso invited to comment generally on whatmeasures they would like to see implemen-ted to improve the current economic situ-ation.

The common theme was reduced publicspending, improved bank lending condi-tions and help with VAT, stamp duty and aremoval of the burden of empty rates.

Said Mr Croft: “Our interpretation ofthese findings is that there is a mood ofcautious optimism among our clients.

“The response to what actions areneeded to improve the general economicconditions crop up consistently with ourclients.

“It is clear for this optimism to translateto positive growth, interest rates need toremain low and bank lending conditionsneed to be less restrictive.”

Hopes highfor auctionsduring 2010PROPERTY auctioneers at Eddisons arelooking to build on the success of their2009 auctions as they prepare for the firstsale of the new year.

The agency, which has offices inHuddersfield, generated total proceeds of£50m from 14 auctions in Leeds andManchester.

Tony Webber, of Eddisons, said: ‘2009was a good year and there are now clearsigns of a recovery in the propertyinvestment market.

‘Although there was increased demandacross all sectors, we noted particularinterest in tenanted or vacant residentialproperty, ground rents, small plots of land,tenanted retail and properties in need ofrenovation.

‘With interest rates remaining low, givingpaltry returns on traditional investments, Ianticipate investors will once again turn tosensibly priced property as theirinvestment vehicle of choice.”

The first auction catalogue of 2010contains 140 lots, including receiverships,development land, tenanted residentialproperties along with various lots offeredat declared nil reserves..

The two-day sale starts tomorrow atThe Fairways Lodge and Leisure Club,Prestwich, Manchester; and on Thursdayat Leeds United Football Club, EllandRoad, Leeds.

■ CONFIDENCE: Simon Croft, director in theagency department at roperty firm Eddisons, saidbuyers could be returning to the market

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












Upper Brow RoadHuddersfield, HD1 4UPOffers over £450,000

Residential Development

Outline Planning Consent for the erection of 14 propertiesPleasant Position

PRIMROSE HILLHUDDERSFIELD, HD4 6DL£135,000

Residential Development Site493.35sq yds (4,440.15sqft)Detailed planning consent for the erection of 6 selfcontained apartments1.5 miles from Huddersfield town centreSuitable for other uses subject to planning permission

PELLON PLACEHUDDERSFIELD,£11.50 PSF

High Quality Offices363.99m² (3,918ft²)Air conditioningRaised acess floors/computer trunkingPrivate car parking

GEORGE STREETHUDDERSFIELD, HD3 4JD£60,000 pcm Per Annum

Industrial Unit with Self Contained Offices1,600sqm (17,000sqft)2 Storey OfficesGood car parkingSecure yardPopular Industrial Location

WAKEFIELD ROADHUDDERSFIELD, HD5 9AB£150,000

Commercial propertyPotential InvestmentVacant possession availableOutskirts of Town centreProminent main road positionExcellent car parking

LUCK LANEHUDDERSFIELD, HD3 4AB£400 per week

Car sales pitch with office and workshop76.08m² (819ft²)20 - 25 Sales pitchesEstablished trading positionProminent location2 Miles from Huddersfield town centre

7 ST GEORGES SQUAREHUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1LARents on Application

Office Accommodation67.07m² - 275.17m² (722ft² - 2,962ft²)Attractive Grade II Listed BuildingProminent locationOpposite Railway StationClose to bus station and multi-storey car park

DALE STREETHUDDERSFIELD, HD3 4TG£14,500 pcm P/A

Modern Industrial Unit390.51sqm (4,203sqm)Good car parking2 Loading doors3 Phase electricityRateable value £12,500

ST JOHNS ROADHUDDERSFIELD, HD1 5BW£20,000 pcm Per Annum

Showroom premises296.73sqm (3,194sqft)Prominent main road positionExcellent window displaysCar parkingOutskirts of Huddersfield town centre

Commercial StreetBrighouse, HD6 1AF£10,500 P/A

Retail property48.68sqm (524sqft)Main shopping areaProminent positionExcellent window display

ST GEORGES SQUAREHUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1JF£8,500 pa

2ND Floor office accommodation103.68sqm (1,116sq ft)Close to railway stationQuality officesGrade II Listed buildingLift access

COLNE VALE BUSINESS PARKMILNSBRIDGE, HD3 4NY1st Year at £12,500 pa

Industrial Workshop/Warehouse444.37sqm (4,783sqft)3 Phase ElectricityGood Industrial LocationGood Access for Loading666sqft Also Available

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers

Winning waysA ONE-DAY event aims to steer Kirkleesfirms to Winning Ways.Allison Whitmarsh, of award-winning Marshbakery ProperMaid, will be among thespeakers at the Winning Ways event to beheld from 9.30am to 2.30pm on Thursday,February 25, at the Galpharm Stadium,Huddersfield.More than 20 exhibitors will include KirkleesCouncil, UK Trade & Investment, the MidYorkshire Chamber of Commerce andBusiness Link Yorkshire.Advice on offer will cover areas such assourcing finance, investing in staff, makingsense of VAT and how to go about tenderingfor public sector contracts.Contact the events booking team on 08456048048 or visit businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk

Support serviceleads the pack!A DEWSBURY company has helpedlaw firm Chadwick Lawrence celebratefive years of a service helping employ-ers.

Cutting tool distributor Cutwel Ltdwas the first firm to sign up to the lawfirm’s Employer Support Pack in 2005– and remains an ESP client.

The support pack is aimed at smalland medium-sized enterprises thatdon’t need a full-time human resourcesdepartment or as a bolt-on to an exist-ing HR department.

ESP provides legal help, support andrepresentation for employers as andwhen necessary. Clients have the peace

of mind that a qualified employmentlawyer is always at the end of the phoneand up to date with the latest legisla-tion.

The scheme includes the drafting ofall necessary documentation such ascontracts, handbooks, disciplinarywarnings and letters along with ongo-ing guidance and support.

Neil Wilson, of Chadwick Lawrence,said: “We’re delighted to have Cutwelon board after five years.

“They’re in good company – withapproaching 300 clients since thescheme started. So here’s to the nextfive years!”

Agency has the right Approach

A PUBLIC relations agency headedby a Kirklees woman has added to itsclutch of prizes.

Approach PR, founded by SuzanneJohns, won the category for Businessand Corporate Communications at theChartered Institute of Public RelationsPRide Awards.

The accolade comes hot on theheels of Approach taking gold at theCIPR PRide awards in 2009.

Approach has securedunprecedented recognition of theYorkshire Biz Awards through a mediacampaign which reached an audienceof more than 3m with television, radioand newspaper coverage – acampaign seen by one in three peoplein the region.

Judges remarked on the“outstanding” results of the campaign,adding: “Approach PR used somegreat creative techniques to grabheadlines and generate interest. Theuse of online media was also veryeffective. The fact that interest in thenext awards is up is a very positive

sign – all thanks to this excellentcampaign.”

Stephen Waud, Yorkshire BizAwards creator and fund director ofthe Bradford-based BusinessEnterprise Fund, said: “It is fantasticthat Approach represented Yorkshirein a national competition for executingan awards initiative which wasoriginally founded in their home city.”

Suzanne, who hails from the SpenValley, said: “Winning a nationalaward for a campaign which we felt sopassionately about and workedincredibly hard on is amazing.

“It’s been a fantastic 12 months forus in a difficult trading climate withrecent new business wins, a regionalPR award under our belt and afterbeing judged the best of the best of inthe UK.

“In a time where many companiesare cutting budgets and staff we areworking with and being approachedby clients who recognise they need tobecome more proactive to survive.”

Ian Bevan & Steven Butcher

Northern RailNORTHERN Rail operators Serco and Abelliohave appointed Ian Bevan as interim managingdirector and Steven Butcher as interim deputymanaging director.

Mr Bevan, who is currently finance director anddeputy managing director, will step up to replacemanaging director Heidi Mottram, who lives inHolmfirth, when she leaves to join NorthumbrianWater Group from March 1.

Mr Butcher, currently eastern area director, ispromoted to interim deputy managing director withresponsibility for strategic operational andexternal relations issues.

In a separate move, Stuart Draper has beenpromoted to engineering director, replacing RuudHaket who has joined Abellio to lead their bids forUK rail franchises.

■ SUPPORTERS: Paul Hawksworth (left), ofCutwel, with Neil Wilson, of Chadwick Lawrence

■ TEAM LINE-UP: Approach PR’s from left) Verity Hudson, Charlotte Booth,managing director Suzanne Johns, Becky Armstrong, and Claire Mounds

Hudds TownMark Davies

HUDDERSFIELD Town has appointed MarkDavies to spearhead a new department at thefootball club.

Mr Davies is pictured (above, centre) with Towncommercial director Sean Jarvis (left) and chiefexecutive Nigel Clibbens.

Mr Davies takes up the post of businessdevelopment manager to step up Town’srelationship with its commercial partners as wellas undertaking a complete review of itsmembership schemes.

Mr Davies, 28, has a masters degree in sportslaw and extensive experience in the footballindustry. He has worked as marketing manager atSouthend United, where he undertook a businessdevelopment role as the Shrimpers won theFootball League 2009 Family Club of the YearAward. Before that, he was marketing andcustomer services manager at Coventry City.

He will be joined in the new partnerships’department by Cammie Batten, who has beeninstrumental at Town in driving the Keep It Upcampaign with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The department will look after existing clubpartners such as the YAA, Thomas Cook andYorkshire Building Society as well as forging newpartnerships with local and national enterprises.

ImproveJack Matthews

JACK Matthews (pictured), chiefexecutive of York-based food anddrink sector skills councilImprove, has been appointedchairman of the Yorkshire andHumber branch of the Alliance ofSector Skills Councils.

The alliance represents all ofthe industry-linked sector skillscouncils in the region. It acts asthe voice of employers and worksto ensure the needs of the Yorkshire andHumberside business community are met innational skills and training policy.

Sector skills councils were established by thegovernment in 2004 to take the lead in driving upskills in the workplace.

Howzat for atop speaker?FORMER cricketerAlec Stewart will fieldthe questions whenthe YorkshireBusiness Forumstages its next eventin Huddersfield.

The Surrey andEngland star(pictured), who is nowan ambassador for theYorkshire Bank, willrecall some of hisfondest sportingmoments as well asanswering questions from guests at the event,which takes place from noon to 3pm onThursday, March 11 at the Galpharm Stadium.

Also speaking at the forum – jointly backedby Yorkshire Bank and law firm ChadwickLawrence – will be Mark Bradley, who will givean insight into how to improve customerservice.

Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark willalso answer questions while some of theplayers and backroom staff will be available tochat during the day.

The event, which includes a lunch andnetworking opportunities, will also raise fundsfor the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Keep It UpCampaign.

Kirklees Business News, 16th February 2010

Documents

Transcript of Kirklees Business News, 16th February 2010