KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees10, Ju ly, 2012

INSIDE

● Full story - Page 8

● Full story - Page 6

JOHN QUINN

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

Risky ventures?Co lumn - Page 7

An EXAMINER publication

Spa landsfinal placeAN independent spa inHuddersfield has beennamed as a finalist in aregional competition.Alexandra HouseHolistic Health andWellbeing Spa, basedat Edgerton, is amongthe finalists in theregional Good SpaGuide Awards 2012.The spa was nominatedafter winning glowingpraise in The Good SpaGuide – theindependentcomprehensive guideto spas across the UK .

They’re inthe frameA FIRM supplying theconstruction sector isbucking the trend tocreate jobs and landmore contracts.Milnsbridge-basedContinentalInstallations Ltd hasdoubled its workforcesince the onset of therecession and hasinvested in newequipment to supplyaluminium products forcontractors buildinghotels, studentaccommodation,offices, schools andcare homes.

MARK THOMPSON

exam

iner

.co.

uk Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

FTSE 100-35 .30

5627.33

Golf supplier teesoff for new recordA GOLF retailer based in Huddersfield isswinging towards another record year.

Direct Golf UK, which has its registeredoffices in Milnsbridge and stores at Leeds RoadMini Park and the nearby Galpharm Stadium,posted a 23% rise in revenues for the first half ofits financial year.

It puts Europe’s leading multi-channel golfretailer on course to post its third-consecutiverecord year – with profits on track to be 40% upon 2011.

Chairman John Andrew said: “2011 was arecord year for our business, with both revenuesand profits up, yet the start of 2012 indicateswe’re on-course for another milestone in our21st year of business.

“In 2010, we set out our aggressive growthplans for the business and since then have gonefrom strength to strength, adding nine newretail sites taking us from 12 to 21 stores andposted consecutive record financial years.”

The business was established in 1991 byBritish PGA professional John Andrew andremains 100% privately-owned by its founder.

Mr Andrew has taken the business from asingle store in Huddersfield to 21 stores acrossthe UK employing more than 250 staff.

It also has a 75,000 sq ft warehouse and thelargest database of golfers – making it theleading multi-channel golf retailer in Europe.

Four new stores have opened during the

current financial year at Teesside, Edinburgh,Dundee and Elmwood, near Cupar, Scotland.

In addition, it has launched a new andimproved online shopping experience atwww.direct-golf.co.uk as well as an online TVplatform, Direct Golf TV, which consists ofmore than 300 product videos and reviews.

All that has helped to increase online sales by15% year-on-year as Direct Golf UK looks toadd the number one online retailer crown to itsever-growing list of accolades.

Mr Andrew said the key to its success was“good old-fashioned hard work and commit-ment” with “people at its core”.

Managing director and PGA professionalNeil Bell said: “We have invested significantlyin expanding our retail coverage and improvingall aspects of our business and as a result havetaken market share from our competitors, in avery tough market.

“We continue to not only buck the trend ofretailers, but also post record results, in a timewhere there is little, if any, growth on the highstreet.

“We have aggressive expansion plans for thebusiness and these results yet again demon-strate that golfers appreciate our mix of worldclass customer service, huge stocks, super fastdelivery allied with the best prices in theUK.”

Free surgeries to safeguard healthy firmsSMALL businesses in Kirklees aregetting the chance to discuss prob-lems and challenges with experi-enced business professionals at aseries of surgeries to start later thismonth.

The monthly hour-long surgerieswill be launched on July 25 whenbusinesses can book appointmentsof 20 minutes for free guidance,encouragement and mentoring sup-port.

The surgeries are being run byKGA, a not-for-profit organisationwhich supports socially-responsibleendeavours across Kirklees.

The surgeries will be held at theseventh floor offices of Revell Wardat 30 Market Street, Huddersfield.

Each surgery will be made up of a

chaired panel of three specialistswho can range from seasoned entre-preneurs and strategists to sales andmarketing specialists, solicitors andinsolvency practitioners.

The aim is to support businessowners who don’t already haveaccess to professional advice or whomight want an independent ear.

Participants can discuss problemsand challenges with a view to help-ing achieve objectives or finding thebest source of specialised support.

These can include day-to-dayissues on running businesses or animpartial discussion with otherexperienced professionals.

Clr Peter McBride, Kirklees cab-inet member for regeneration, said:“This is a good opportunity for

Kirklees businesses and I welcomethe generosity of the established pro-fessionals who are giving up theirtime to mentor and advise others.

“Pooling the considerable know-ledge and experience in our districtand sharing it with fledgling entre-preneurs can only be a good thingfor our economy.

“It is truly innovative that localbusinesses are prepared to supporteach other in this way, but it is whatI have come to expect from ourforward-thinking business com-munity.”

To take part, register online ath t t p : / / KG A s u r g e r y. e v e n t-brite.co.uk. Participants may bringalong a colleague to their bookedsession.

Returning to his roots

■ IN THE SWING: John Andrew, of Huddersfield-basedDirect Golf UK, said the firm has boosted sales

■ OPPORTUNITY: Peter McBride, Kirkleescabinet member for regeneration

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

closed at

Local shares

FTSE

5627.33Down 35.30

closed at

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.44 dollarsBangladesh................. 119.50 takaBrazil.............................. 2.81 realsCanada....................... 1.50 dollarsChina ............................. 8.82 yuanCzech Republic ...... 29.63 korunasDenmark....................... 8.92 kroneEuro............................... 1.20 euroHong Kong................ 11.40 dollarsHungary ................... 325.94 forintsIndia.......................... 76.50 rupeesJapan........................... 117.45 yenMexico ....................... 18.54 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.81 dollarsNorway ......................... 9.04 kronePakistan.................. 136.80 rupeesPhilippines ................. 55.68 pesosSouth Africa .................. 11.99 randSouth Korea.............. 1540.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 194.88 rupeesSweden....................... 10.40 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.44 francsTaiwan ...................... 40.49 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.66 new liraUSA ............................ 1.48 dollars

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £37.46 -0.34Gannett 938.16 -11.61Hess Corp £27.74 -0.19Microsoft 1921.14 -25.15Motors Liquidation 48.36Wal-Mart Stores £46.01

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 297 -3BAE Systems 2967/8 +4Rolls-Royce 885 +81/2

AIMBrady Plc 841/2 +1/2Dawson Intl 11/8Man Brnze 301/2

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2083/4 +15/8

BANKSBarclays 1633/8 -13/8HSBC 5611/8 -41/2Lloyds Banking Gp 301/4 -1/8Ryl Scotland 2053/4 +41/4Stan Chart 14231/2 -31/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 16481/2 -22SABMiller £261/4 -1/4

CHEMICALSCroda £223/4 -3/8Elementis 98 1943/4 -73/4Johnsn Mat £22 -3/8

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 311 +101/4

Costain 215 +11/2

ELECTRICITYDrax Gp 562 -31/2SSE 1418 +2

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1801/2 -57/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3581/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 2161/8 +7/8Cable & WirelessComm

30

Cable & WirelessWwide

377/8

Colt Group 124 -1/4KCOM 721/2Talktalk Telecom 187 +1/4

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2663/4 -27/8Sainsbury 308 -27/8Tesco 3173/8 +1/4

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1278 -14Tate Lyle 672 +1/2Unilever £211/2 -1/8

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3187/8 -1/4National Grid 683 -21/2Pennon Grp 768 -2Severn 1691 +2United Utils 6761/2 +1/2

GENERAL FINANCIAL

3i Group 1955/8 -17/8ICAP 3093/4 -37/8London StockExch 992 -7Man Group 643/8 +3/4Provident Financial 1182 -17Schroders 1315 -20Schroders NV 1026 -26

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 5881/2 -8REXAM 4267/8 +1/2Smiths Grp 1036 -1

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 211/4 -1/4Carphone Whse 1361/4 -11/2Dixons Retail 177/8 +1/4Home Retail 845/8 +15/8Inchcape 350 +13/8Kingfisher 2683/4 -11/4M & S 321 +3Mothercare 1901/2 -41/2Next £313/4 -1/4WH Smith 540 -21/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6421/2 +1/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 703/4 +41/4Barrat Dev 1373/8 -21/8Persimmon 631 -71/2Reckitt Benckiser £351/8 -1/8Taylor Wimpey 471/8 -3/4

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGI M I 810 -28

INDUSTRIAL METALS

Ferrexpo 1995/8 -201/8INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION

BBA Aviation 1963/4 -21/4LIFE INSURANCE

Aviva 2821/2 -51/2Lgl & Gen 126 -3/4Old Mutual 1533/4 -7/8Prudential 7291/2 -1/2Resolution 2031/4 -5/8Standard Life 231 -13/4

MEDIABSkyB 685 -61/2D Mail Tst 438 -1/2ITV 727/8 -2Johnston Press 5 -1/4Pearson 1244 -9Reed Elsevier 5151/2 -1/2STV Group 91 -1/4Trinity Mirror 26 -1/2Utd Business 5801/2 -11/2UTV 1501/2 +21/2WPP 795 -31/2Yell Group 15/8 +1/8

MININGAnglo American £203/8 -5/8Antofagasta 1095 -14BHP Billiton 1823 -191/2Eurasian NaturalRes

4101/4 -93/8

Fresnillo 1474 -9Kazakhmys 7161/2 -81/2Lonmin 701 -261/2Rio Tinto £303/8 -3/8VEDANTARESOURCES

8971/2 -17

Xstrata 8155/8 -183/8MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 479 -27/8Vodafone Group 1811/4 +1/2

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1154 -9RSA Insurance Gp 1081/4 +1/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 13071/2 -131/2BP 424 -41/4Cairn Energy 2731/8 -4Royal Dutch Shell A £211/2 -3/8Royal Dutch Shell B £223/8 -3/8Total £281/2 -1/8Tullow Oil 1437 -28

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES

AMEC 1020 -1Petrofac 1434 +13Wood Gp(J) 7161/2 -21/2

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1255 -34PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £291/4 +1/8GlaxoSmithK XD 2Shire 1826 +6

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 5131/2Captl Shop Cent 3215/8 -21/2Hamrsn 4491/8 -21/2Land Secs 758 +21/2SEGRO 2273/4 -1/2

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESInvensys 2363/4 +1/4Logica 105 -1/8Sage Group 283 +13/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 5051/2 +4Bunzl 1062 -1Capita 682 -21/2De La Rue 9841/2 -4Electrocomp 2063/8 -15/8Experian 956 +13G4S 2883/4 -11/2Hays 707/8 -2Homeserve 1601/4 -45/8Menzies J 6091/2 -101/2Rentokil 751/2 +1/8Smiths News 933/4 -3/4Wolseley £233/4 +1/4

IT HARDWARE

ARM Hldgs 4957/8 -131/8Psion 871/2 +1/4Spirent Comms 1683/8 -15/8

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £331/2 -1/8Imperial Tobacco £255/8 -1/8

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 1073/4 -3/4Carnival £215/8 -1/8Compass Grp 6691/2 -2easyJet 5341/2 +31/2Enterprise Inns 603/4 -11/2FirstGroup 2111/2 -31/2Go-Ahead Gp 1247Greene King 559 -7Intercontl Htls 1548 -7Intl Cons AirlinesGp

1593/4 +5/8

Ladbrokes 1543/4 +3/4Mitchells & Butlers 2501/2 -11/8Natl Express 2153/4 +13/4Rank Org 1221/4 +31/4Stagecoach Group 2713/8 -31/4TUI Travel 1693/4 -21/4Whitbread £203/8 -3/8

INDEXFTSE 100 5627.33 -35.30

INDEXFTSE 250 10983.34 -87.30

Carclo 458 +43/4Marshalls 793/4 -1/4National Grid 683 -21/2Weir Gp 1557 +10

Anger at high pay, low sales Housing market gets a lift

AsdafinanceplansTHE retail sector’s drive towin business from Britain’sbattered banks continuedwith the launch of a newpersonal finance brand.

The creation of AsdaMoney comes as Marks &Spencer looks to open 50bank branches over thenext two years and Tescomoves towards offeringmortgages.

Asda has offered per-sonal finance products fora decade but is now provid-ing an unlimited cash backcredit card as part oftoday’s brand launch.

It will target the 18 mil-lion people who shop atAsda’s 542 stores everyweek by promoting thebrand at check-outs andthrough a new website.

Kirsty Ward, head ofAsda Money, said thecredit card will appeal toshoppers frustrated with“gimmicky” points-basedreward cards offered byother retailers.

She added: “Times havechanged and shoppersdon’t want complicatedpoints schemes or rewardsthat don’t translate intoreal every day savings.”

The card will offer 1%unlimited cashback onAsda shopping and fuelpurchases, as well as 0.5%cashback on shopping out-side of Asda.

Rivals Tesco and Sains-bury’s stepped into the per-sonal finance sector morethan a decade ago and havetargeted more of the mar-ket as confidence in main-stream banks slips.

And Marks & Spencer isto offer current accountsfrom this autumn as part ofa jo int venture wi thHSBC.

BMW’s £250m boostto UK car businessBMW is to invest a further £250million in its three Mini factoriesin the UK, safeguarding thou-sands of jobs.

The money will be invested in manu-facturing operations by the end of 2015at the German car maker’s plant inOxford, steel body pressings operation atSwindon and engine plant at Hams Hallnear Birmingham.

The company also announced furthervolume growth with up to 10 differentMini models, with the potential for addi-tional production capacity at Oxford.

The news comes on top of anannouncement a year ago of £500 mil-lion investment and means additionaljob security for the 5,500 UK Miniworkers, said BMW.

Harald Krueger, a member of theBoard of Management at BMW Group,said: “A year ago we announced a furtherinvestment of £500 million in our UKproduction network by 2014 and today

we are announcing an additional £250million, taking us through to 2015. Thisbrings the total to £1.75 billion since2000.

“Over the last 11 years, Mini has beena unique global success and the BMWGroup has even greater plans for thefuture development of the brand.

“Plant Oxford has played a major rolein this with cars being exported to over100 countries around the world.

“This additional investment is greatnews for all our employees in the UK andshows the BMW Group’s commitmentto Britain as a vital manufacturing basefor us.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable, whovisited the Oxford factory, said: “BMW’sambitious plans for Mini will ensure itsUK sites at Oxford, Swindon and HamsHall remain at the centre of Miniproduction worldwide. The investmentof £250 million in addition to the £500million last year demonstrates BMW’scommitment to the UK and safeguards

jobs for the future.”BMW said the extra volume for its

growth plans for the Mini and thecomplexity of new models means thatadditional production beyond Oxford’smaximum capacity was needed in themedium term and the company was nowconsidering how to achieve this.

“Our preferred option is to establish acontract manufacturer as a satelliteproduction as close to our UK opera-tions as possible, at the Nedcar plant inThe Netherlands, with whom BMW is indiscussions,” said Mr Krueger.

“Oxford will provide special Mini pro-duction expertise for any new operation,particularly in the areas of dealing withthe high complexity and customer indi-viduality which Mini demands and inoperating state-of-the-art, multi-modelproduction lines. Just as Munich is thecentre of the BMW world, Oxford is andwill remain the home and the heart ofMini.”

MARKS & Spencer boss Marc Bollandwill come under pressure today fromfrustrated shareholders over“excessive” pay and disappointingsales figures.

Despite efforts topull in customerswith celebrity-ladenadverts, featuringthe likes ofactresses JoannaLumley and RosieHuntington-Whiteley and popstar GaryBarlow, the group is expected to revealits worst quarterly trading performancein three years.

But still Dutchman Mr Bolland sawhis basic annual package rise by 4%

last year to £1.7 million and couldreportedly take home as much as £6million including bonuses andlong-term incentives.

Advisory group Pensions InvestmentResearchConsultants (Pirc)has recommendedshareholdersabstain on voting onthe group’sremuneration report

at its annual meeting in London today.The meeting comes as M&S’s

market value slipped behind itssmaller rival Next for the first time asCity investors worry that the retailer islosing female customers to rivals.

BOVIS Homes has reported an18% jump in completions despitethe sluggish housing market.

The group completed 944 salesin the first half of 2012 eventhough buyers are still strugglingto get affordable mortgages andare taking longer to makedecisions amid the economicuncertainty.

Its strategy of building familyhomes in the more affluent southmeans it is on course for a“significant” hike in profits,helped by a 1% rise in averageprices to £164,400.

Reservations were up 24% to

993 in the first half, of which morethan 10% had used theGovernment-backed NewBuyscheme, which encourages thereturn of 95% mortgages.

Although trading slowedaround the Jubilee celebrations, itis confident about its prospectsafter agreeing to buy some 2,500new plots and said cheaper landbought in the wake of thefinancial crisis will help boostmargins.

Shares rose 2% yesterday afterit followed rivals Persimmon andTaylor Wimpey in reportingresilient trading.

■ MINI MARVELS: The productionline at the BMW UK Mini plant

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

John Quinn

SpectacularDriveways &hi-specconcrete ltd

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: OwnerAge: 58Family: Married toHelen with childrenGregory, 25,Jesamine, 23, andHannah, nineHolidays: Not muchtime for holidays, butthe Sierra Nevada inSpain is breath-takingCar: Toyota Hi-Lux,which is ideal for workFirst job: I earnedpocket money helpingmy uncle Jack on hisplastering contractsBest thing aboutjob: I get satisfactionfrom completing everyprojectWorst thing aboutjob: There’s toomuch red tape andlegislationBusiness tip: Itmay sound cryptic, but“expect what youinspect”

Work: One-stopshop for concreteproductsSite: Albert Street,LockwoodPhone: 01484321456Email: info@hi-specconcrete.co.ukWeb: www.hi-specconcrete.co.uk

FirmthatJohnbuilt

THERE’S not much JohnQuinn doesn’t know aboutthe building industry.

His first paid job involvedaccompanying his father Joeand uncle Jack to work atconstruction sites acrossHuddersfield. And he hasbeen involved in the businessever since.

“I was brought up in thebuilding industry,” says John.“My grandfather beganJoseph Quinn and Sons in1928 and my dad, also calledJoe, followed in hisfootsteps.”

The company, based atSpringwood, where Johnspent his early years, built alarge number of houses inthe Huddersfield area,including ones at Oakes andBradley, and employedpeople in all trades, such asroofers and plasterers.

After attending All Saints’RC School at Bradley, Johnbecame a mason-bricklayerby trade, attendingHuddersfield TechnicalCollege, completing asix-year apprenticeship andgaining City & Guildsqualifications.

He admits: “There was noquestion of my not going intothe same line of business asmy dad.”

John also displayed anentrepreneurial spirit whichwas to take him in otherdirections – although thebuilding trade remained thefirm foundations of whatbecame a varied career.

In the 1970s, Johnlaunched a mobile disco,called Boogaloo, and playedthe latest hits in pubs andclubs across town. Music hasbeen a passion sinceboyhood.

“Listening to the music ofthe 1960s was fantastic,” hesays. “My older sister broughtrecords back from a club inHalifax called Plebs where alot of the top artists on thecircuit played. It was mainlyjazz, blues and soul. Thatwas how I got into Motown.

“It was 1973 when I got myfirst mobile disco kit. Beingmobile, I was asked to playrecords at pubs and clubsand it was good fun. It wasmobile discos that helpedestablish disco fever.”

As nightclubs came intotheir own, John saw anotheropportunity – entering thelicensed trade in the 1980sand opening Flix nightclub atSt George’s Square inHuddersfield.

“The building was prettymuch derelict,” he recalls.“And if I’m honest, it was theprospect of refurbishing thebuilding and fitting it out thatat really inspired me.

“I think my enthusiasmbegan to pall once the workwas done! A lot of myenthusiasm evaporated onthe opening night!

“It was a three-month buildprogramme and it cost£100,000, which was a lot ofmoney at the time.”

Flix became one of thetown’s most popular venues.“We had a side entrance and‘gold’ members were giventheir own key to get in andout as they liked,” says John.“It was upmarket with an a lacarte restaurant. Peoplecame from Leeds andManchester because it wasdifferent.”

After three years ofrunning the nightclub – at thesame time as keeping thefamily building firm on the go– John sold out to twopartners he had brought intothe business. Referring tothe co-owner ofHuddersfield’s renownedJohnnys night spot, Johnsays: “I didn’t want tobecome another JohnnyMarsden.”

Instead, he devoted histime to the family buildingfirm, now known as MillgateConstruction and based atPaddock. The companyraised its profile in the localcommunity – becoming thefirst sponsors of HuddersfieldGiants after the rugby leagueclub’s move to the GalpharmStadium.

The company survived the1980s. “We went into arecession and Huddersfieldwas hit quite hard,” saysJohn. “But our trade wassteady because we werewell-established doing workfor local authorities and theNHS. We completed amassive housing project inBatley, for example.”

However, the 1990sbrought “the mother of all

recessions”, according toJohn and Millgate wascaught up in the storm.

“I had a five-acre sitewhere I was going to buildsocial housing,” he says.“The funding was slashedovernight and the projectwas no longer viable. I got‘caught’ on two other projectsfor a lot of money and thatwas that.”

The setback promptedJohn to look for something“recession-proof” where hecould still use hisconstruction skills – and hefound the answer withDecorative Concrete Ltd.

While building up hisLockwood-based business,he qualified as a lecturer,taking classes at LeedsCollege of Building, andtrained as an assessor tomake sure other lecturerswere up to the mark.

Decorative Concrete Ltd isthe umbrella organisation fortwo businesses –Spectacular Driveways,which specialised in layingpattern imprinted concretefor drives and paths, andhi-spec concrete limited,which provides an on-siteconcrete batching service forSpectacular Driveways andother clients, includingbuilders and utilitycompanies.

John has big ambitions forthe group, saying:“Decorative concrete is aninnovative product and onewhich takes me back to aproduct area with which Iwas familiar.

“People are always goingto need concrete. Without it,we would have no bridges,reservoirs or motorways.

“But this business is alsoquite technical and it isn’tsomething everyone can do,which is also what I likeabout it.”

As well as domesticdriveways, Decorative

Concrete Ltd has worked oncommercial and public sectorcontracts, including thefootpaths at the memorialpark in Lowerhouses andareas around Bradford RoyalInfirmary.

The hi-spec business alsoshows much promise. Itprovides precise amounts ofready-mixed concreteblended on-site where it isneeded by the firm’s ownmobile concrete mixers –eliminating waste andensuring the customer onlypays for the amount needed.

Clearly, John has lots tokeep him busy – although hefinds time for golf and is aHuddersfield Town seasonticket holder.

As a youngster, he playedrugby league for StAugustine’s and both footballand rugby for Huddersfield

schoolboys. At the age of 11,he had trials for LeedsUnited. But serious knee andankle injuries forced him togive up both sports when hewas 19.

Now he is a member atCrosland Health Golf Club.Says John: “I play to adecent standard, but I don’tget upset if I’m off form. Itsthe comradeship and socialside of golf I enjoy most.”

John also has a box at theGalpharm Stadium, saying: “Iwas in the Greenall Suite atthe old Leeds Road groundwhen Paul Fletcher, who wasTown chief executive at thetime, showed me the plansfor the new stadium. I chosethe box I wanted there andthen. I suppose you’d say Ibought it ‘off plan’!”

■ SINGLE-MINDED: JohnQuinn has spent a lifetime inthe building industry

On the board with

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

www.revellward.co.uk

Lesley SuttonTax Director

Employed vSelf-EmployedDo you engage self-employed

individuals to provide services to yourbusiness, and if so how confident areyou that the terms of work do not make

that individual an employee?There are an increasing number of

cases, covering all manner of businessesfrom lap dancing clubs to car valets,where the courts are finding that anemployment relationship does exist.

Revell Ward Tip:Make sure you regularly review all

self-employment contracts – if these arenot robust your business may find itselfliable to pay employers NIC at a cost of

13.8% per year.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSlocal Page 4

James joinssurvey team

Portal pointsway aheadA NEW online service to help Kirkleesbusinesses find the resources they need to growhas been launched.

The Business and Investment Portal has beenset up by Leeds City Region Local EnterprisePartnership in response to feedback frombusinesses on the difficulties of findinginformation about free local business support.

The portal has been produced mainly to helpSMEs and provides information and signpostingon topics including international trade, recruitingand training staff, obtaining finance and publicsector contracts.

It also provides a resource to market the CityRegion, which includes Kirklees, as a businesslocation – supporting the LEP’s ambitions ofattracting more investment into the region – anda tool to communicate more effectively withbusinesses on the LEP’s activities.

Neil McLean, chairman of Leeds City RegionLEP, said: “Every time we talk to businesses –especially SMEs – about business support, theytell us how difficult it is to find information aboutlocal support provision.

“With this new online tool, the LEP has takensteps to fill this gap and provide information on awhole range of business support in one place.

“We will be doing further work to develop theportal and would very much welcome feedbackfrom businesses in the City Region on how wecan make it even more useful for them.”

Go to http://business.leeds cityregion.gov.uk

‘Put exportingon the menu’FOOD and drink businesses inKirklees have been urged to takea bite out of the export sector.Strong export figures for the UK’sfood and drink industry have leftthe sector well-placed to enjoy aperiod of prolonged growth,according to Yorkshire Bank.UK food and drink exportsincreased by 14.8% in 2011compared with the previous yearand were worth a total of £18.1bn,according to recent figures fromthe Food and Drink Federation.The statistics show Irelandremains Britain’s number oneexport destination, but emergingtrends indicate there is plenty tobe positive about elsewhere.For example, 2011 included a55% increase in exports to China,and a 49% rise in exports toPoland. The figures highlight thatthe food and drink sectorremains remarkably buoyant,despite wider speculation aboutthe prospects for the globaleconomy.David Lee, head of food and drinkat Yorkshire Bank throughout theregion, said it was important forfood and drink companies tomaintain a positive outlook.“The financial reality for manyexporting companies in recentmonths has been for continuedgrowth,” he said. “UK exports toHong Kong and Saudi Arabiaincreased by 41% and 14% lastyear, while in the EU exports tothe Netherlands and Belgiumgrew by around 30%.“Plainly there are realopportunities for companies witha strong business model and anunderstanding of growingmarkets. The end result ofachieving growth abroad will beincreased support for the widerUK economy through increasedproduction and jobs creation.”The growth in Asian markets isbeing partly put down tochanging eating habits, withmore westernised products beingbought by wealthier customers.There is a growing trend forspecialist shops to carrywell-known brands with meat andcereals amongst the leadinggrowing markets.Mr Lee said: “A change in eatinghabits in Asian countries hasseen a substantial increase in theflow of Western products.“Dairy and meat products grewby 220% in China alone last year,with demand looking to remainstrong in the long term.“And interest in this area is notcontained to exports –Shanghai-based Bright Foodshas recently taken a majorityshareholding in Weetabix. Now isthe time for UK companies to dotheir homework and find newmarkets for established domesticfoods.”Mr Lee said: “The Olympics andthe Queen’s Diamond Jubileehave created a natural interest inthe UK, which will offer Britishcompanies opportunities to turncasual interest into businessopportunities.”

Wider networkA NETWORKING group launched inHuddersfield is extending its scope.MYnetwork aims to strengthen the localbusiness community by gettinglike-minded business people together tomeet valuable new contacts in a relaxedand informal networking environment.Now the network which has enjoyedsuccess in Huddersfield is taking theconcept to neighbouring Wakefield.Huddersfield links remain strong assponsors include the Lockwood-basedMid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce,the town’s Media Centre and Golcar’sSMileS SMS.They are joined by Barclays, RamsdensSolicitors – which has offices inHuddersfield – and Wakefield TrinityWildcats.The first meeting will be held from12.30pm to 1.30pm on Friday at ThePriory Bar in Wakefield. The event isfree to attend and no registration isrequired.

BUSINESSES in Kirklees are being urged tocontribute to a major survey of UK entrepren-eurs.

Now in its fifth year, Entrepreneurship UK –compiled by business advisory group Deloitte –is an authoritative report on the sector, reflectingthe current attitudes, performance and objectivesof entrepreneurs and their businesses.

H u d d e r s f i e l d e n t r e p r e n e u r Ja m e sSommerville, of design agency Attik, will providehis views on the results of the 2012-13 surveywhen the results are published in October.

In last year’s survey, entrepreneurs said thegovernment was relying on private businessgrowth to take the country out of recession – butclaimed the commercial culture of the UK as awhole was failing to back entrepreneurialbusiness.

It said business growth was held back bycautious banks restricting lending to low-riskenterprises and claimed that while the Govern-ment appeared to be supporting start ups, grow-ing medium-sized businesses faced the greatesttax and regulatory burden of any businesses.

Stephen Hall, entrepreneurial business partnerat Deloitte in Yorkshire, said: “When we conduc-ted our survey in 2011, more than 90% of ourrespondents anticipated revenue growth in2012.

“The results of our 2012 survey will showwhether entrepreneurs have been able to buck thegloomy trend of the UK economy and spearheadpositive growth in these uncertain times.

“In Yorkshire, there were 17,000 start-up busi-nesses in 2010 – a rate of 10.2%, which is thehighest in England outside of London.

“Every business owner’s mind is focused on theeconomy – more so than ever with economicheadwinds blowing in from Europe.

“I expect entry into new markets, developmentof new products and services and forming stra-tegic alliances to be high on the agenda amongstour entrepreneurs.”

Mr Hall said: “We will be looking closely at thesentiment of business owners from across the UKand are expecting to hear some good newsdespite tough market conditions.”

Mr Sommerville co-founded Attik in 1986with a £2,000 grant from The Prince’s Trust. Overthe next 20 years, the small branding and designfirm grew to cover the UK, London, New York,Sydney and Los Angeles.

The survey is open until the end of July andtakes just 10 minutes to complete by visitingwww.entrepreneurshipuk.com

■ FOCUS: Stephen Hall (left), of Deloitte inWest Yorkshire, and Attik’s James Sommerville

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17thyearWINNER

Founded in 1999 this family run Huddersfield companymanufacture the ultimate in equine transportation.The company design and produce a wide range oftrailers which offer safe, comfortable travel for thehorse and good facilities for the owner. The businesshas grown considerably since its inception and hasdeveloped into a hugely successful company nowselling thousands of their unique side-loading trailersworldwide, including new and larger horseboxeswhich can carry up to nine horses in supreme comfort.

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH AWARDS - REWARDING SUCCESS SINCE 1995

Eaton Smith is proud tohelp businesses acrossthe region achieve theirobjectives by providingsupport on local, nationaland international legalmatters and transactions.

CONGRATULATIONS!

2nd PLACE NOVAGLAZE 3rd PLACE WELLHOUSE LEISUREThrough difficult economic timesafter investment in high-techmachinery, Huddersfield companyNovaglaze is now a well-establishednational supplier of curved glass.They produce a wide range of glassto the highest industry standardson state of the art projects includingthe famous London Eye and alsothe recently opened ‘Shard ofGlass’ in London.

Initially having only 3 staff in 2003,this Huddersfield based companyhas expanded to taking on 27 staffand opening branches in Invernessand Devon. This manufacturer ofmotorhomes and campervans hasexpanded steadily with annual salesincreases through the dedication ofthe MD David Elliott, who should alsobe credited for his amazing charityfundraising efforts benefitting thelocal community.

Enter our Business of the Month AwardEstablished by Eaton Smith in 1995, the award has been won by adiverse range of businesses over that time. No matter how large orsmall your business or workforce, all applications are treated equally.

Monthly winners are automatically entered into our Business ofthe Year Awards, held every July, when the preceding twelve monthlywinners and members of the business community attend the annualbreakfast awards ceremony.

So if you are proud of what your company has achieved and it isbased in Kirklees, Calderdale or Wakefield why not tell us aboutyour success story.

Contact UsIf you would like more informationon how to enter, please contact:

Deborah MelluishEaton Smith LLPT: 01484 821300E: deborahmelluish@eatonsmith.co.ukW: www.eatonsmith.co.uk

EQUI-TREK

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ESS OF THE YEAR

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

Major deals doneat Lowfields site

Rising abovethe recession

■ RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: Managing director Bevis North (left) and business development manager JohnThompson with some of the state-of-the-art machinery at the Milnsbridge premises of Continental Installations Ltd

■ BUILDING BLOCK: ContinentalInstallations Ltd has worked on the20-storey Hampton by Hilton hoteland restaurant in Birmingham

A COMPANY supplying the con-struction sector is bucking the trend tocreate jobs and land more contracts.

Milnsbridge-based ContinentalInstallations Ltd has doubled itsworkforce since the onset of the reces-sion and has invested in new equip-ment to meet demand for itsaluminium curtain walls, windowsand entrances.

It operates in the commercial con-struction sector, principally supplyinghotels and student accommodation,but has also supplied components forschools, care homes and offices.

It is also active in the domesticsector under the trading style Cro-codile, manufacturing and installingautomatic garage doors and innovat-ive gardens rooms and glass verandasacross the UK.

The company, which is based in40,000sq ft premises at Spring GardenMill, New Street, has created 15 newjobs in the past six months due to workgenerated by Crocodile – taking thetotal workforce to 45. It has alsoinvested more than £250,000 in thelatest computer-controlled machineryand has doubled its turnoveryear-on-year.

Contract wins include three hotelsin Birmingham with a value of almost£3m which involve converting existinghigh rise office blocks into hotels.

Continental Installations has alsocompleted projects through majorconstruction firms for Hampton byHilton, Premier Inn, Travelodge,Indigo and Days Inn as well as severalstudent accommodation schemesacross the North West and SouthYorkshire.

In addition, it landed a large andcomplex project as part of a new

facility for York University. The com-pany has also carried out work forBradford University.

Current work includes a six-figurescheme in Sheffield, a project inManchester to refurbish a coun-cil-owned tower block to providesocial housing and a new hospice inBury.

Continental Installations was estab-lished only in 2003, but managingdirector Bevis North and businessd e v e l o p m e n t m a n a g e r Jo h nThompson have worked in theindustry for many years.

The management team boasts morethan 100 years of collective experiencein the sector and individual expertisein health and safety, project designand contracts management.

Mr Thompson said: “The sectorswe are focusing on seem to be prettyresilient. Premier Inn, for example, aretalking about needing another 1,000bedrooms before the end of the year.

“We have tackled everything from abig hotel on the banks of LochLomond to a glass veranda for a housein Yeovil.”

Mr Thompson, whose responsibilit-ies include health and safety, environ-mental performance, training andbusiness development, said the com-pany was also blessed with a skilledand motivated workforce of fact-ory-based fabricators and teams ofinstallers.

“We train everyone to NVQ leveland have received accolades frommajor construction firms regardinghealth and safety awareness.

“We have achieved internationallyrecognised awards for environmentalperformance ISO 14001, quality man-agement system ISO 9001, UK nation-

ally recognised safety scheme CHAS,products tested to Q Mark standardfor enhanced security and accreditedlicence holders of Secure by Design.”

Mr Thompson said: “We seem to beon an upward spiral. We are workinghard throughout the business toensure we retain our position.

“It is competitive, but we are pro-moting ourselves to the various con-tractors and we have built up aposition of trust. They know we aregoing to deliver on time.”

Mr North added: “We have workedhard throughout the recession. For thefirst six months, it was hard times, butwe have doubled our workforce sincethe recession started. We have crackedon with what we know best.”

TWO significant deals havebeen completed at Elland’sLowfields Business Park.Property consultant KnightFrank has completed the lettingof a 30,000sq ft industrialwarehouse to national palletdistributors ADD Express onbehalf of Citivale AssetManagement. The property isheld in a fund managed byHenderson Global Investors.The basis of the deal was £5.25per sq ft on a five-year term withan option to buy after threeyears at £65 per sq ft.This deal came in the wake ofKnight Frank letting a 32,000sqft shed to Radicon TransmissionUK Ltd after a very shortinvolvement in the marketing onbehalf of owners C and V LloydProperty Partnerships. The rentis £5.25 per sq ft.Radicon was part of theLockwood-based David Browngroup for many years until its£21.4m purchase by Asia’sElecon Engineering Group inNovember, 2010.Radicon, which also hasoperations in Thailand andChicago, USA, supplies sectorsincluding food and drinkproduction, material handling,mining, oil and gas, powergeneration, water and quarryingunder the widely-recognisedBenzlers and Radicon brands.Tom Lamb (pictured), of KnightFrank’s Leeds office, said: “TheRadicon Transmission deal wasinstrumental in Knight Frankachieving new instructionsthrough Henderson Global

Investors and Citivale.“We have recently beeninstructed on 10,000, 20,000, and30,000 sq ft units andsubsequently concluded the dealwith ADD Express.Mr Lamb said these deals wereexcellent news for the Calderdaleeconomy, underlining thepopularity of the business park.“Lowfields is a tremendoussuccess story,” said Mr Lamb.“The rents are holding upexceptionally well in comparisonto other industrial estates inWest Yorkshire, underlining theexceptional quality of the unitson site.“It also helps that Lowfields issuperbly located just off Junction24 of the M62.”Yorkshire agents Michael Steelacted on behalf of Radicon andADD.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7

Claims risk now acause for concern

INFORMEDDEVELOPMENTMark Thompson

OFFICIAL figures show that the con-struction industry remains in reces-

sion. Output is down; jobs are down andless is being built.

Conversely, the general consensus amongconstruction adjudicators is that adjudicationreferrals are on the increase. In addition, applic-ations to the Technology and ConstructionCourt are also on the increase. This should because for concern for all design professionals.Below are a few practical tips on how plannersand designers can manage their claims risk:

● Appointment. A professional shouldalways put in place written appointments withtheir clients. It is the appointment that ulti-mately governs the relationship between theprofessional and the client and as such greatcare must be taken in putting this documenttogether. Points to consider are:

Work Schedule – the work schedule will listwhat the professional is to do. As a matter ofgood practice the schedule should be drafted ascomprehensively as possible. “Broad brush lan-guage” should be avoided as this causes ambi-guity and could lead to an argument that theprofessional has been engaged to do somethingthat he has not agreed to do.

Net Contribution Clause – this is a form oflimitation clause that pierces the principle thatall “players” in a construction project are joint

and severally liable for the employers shouldthings go wrong.

De Maximis Clause – this clause sets a ceiling(or upper amount) for which the professionalwill be liable in the event something goes wrongwith the project. The clause can be set as anaggregate amount (e.g for all claims together) orin the singular amount. Of course an aggregateamount is better. De Maximis clause limitsshould be set at the professional IndemnityInsurance limit that applies to the Professional’spolicy (see below).

Liability Length – this governs the length oftime that the professional will be liable afterpractical completion of the project. There aretwo periods – six or 12 years. Obviously, sixyears is better for the professional.

● Indemnity Insurance . While it is not a legalrequirement, all professionals should carry withthem professional indemnity Insurance (PII).

This is especially true for those professionalswho are sole traders or are in partnership astheir personal assets are at risk in the event of aclaim.

PII (subject to excesses and common exclu-sions) will cover the professional for negligentdesigns, etc and the damage that arises out ofthem. The question for the professional is howmuch cover should be carried? The answer tothis point is that it depends on the value of theprojects that the professional is engaged to actwithin. The higher the value the more PII coverthe professional should have.

As part of tender processing an employer willusually stipulate the amount of PII cover thatthe professional is required to have. If theprofessional does not have that level of insur-ance and obtaining the level is too expensivethen the professional should consider whether itshould accept the appointment at all.

Architectfirm renewsTown linksA FIRM of award-winning architectshas teamed up with HuddersfieldTown.One 17 Design, based at ArmitageBridge, has extended its officialpartnership with the club for theupcoming Championship season.The company has supported Townfor the past few seasons beforebecoming an official partner lastsummer.It was one of more than 40companies and fans to donate to thePlay-Off Final ticket initiative in 2010– a pioneering scheme create byTown chairman Dean Hoyle, whichraised more than £25,000 and allowed800 school children to attend thematch at Old Trafford.Last season, One 17 Design directorMark Lee was a cyclist in the Road toWembley bike road – anotherinnovative scheme devised by MrHoyle to raise money for 800 localschool children to attend Town’sPlay-Off Final victory over SheffieldUnited.One 17 deals in all aspects of designwork, from architecture and projectmanagement, to structural andinterior design and graphiccommunication. The firm has been inpractice in Huddersfield since 1960.

Martin Thompson, is a partner in Commercial Property at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield

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

on 0113 234 8999 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk

TO LET

Cumberworth Lane,Denby Dale

Single storey warehouse/workshop & office/showroom with large external yard

1,017 m2 (10,949 sq ft)

on 0.65 ha (1.6 acres) approx

Offices

FOr SALE

291 Wakefield Road, Lepton

Fully occupied commercial property(on inclusive agreements) immediatelyadjacent A642 Wakefield Road

Gross income £33,600 pax

Industrial

Industrial

TO LET recently vacated and occupation immediately available

Albert Works,Albert Street, Lockwood

Single storey workshop just off mainLockwood Road

538 m2 (5,800 sq ft)

PrELIMIN

ArY

ANNOUNCEMENT

Seeking offers in the region of £350,000

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Jonathan Oxley

IoDA SENIOR corporate lawyer as beenappointment chairman of West YorkshireInstitute of Directors.

Jonathan Oxley, a partner at Lee & Priestleyin Leeds, takes over from Charlotte Britton, whohas stepped down to focus on her businessinterests.

Mr Oxley was managing partner for nineyears as Lee & Priestley. A specialist inmergers and acquisitions, he leads a teamresponsible for corporate finance, the caresector and employee share schemes.

His appointment comes at a time whenprofessional development is a major strategyfor the IoD in Yorkshire. The region is hostingthe “Momentum Gathering” event on October25 to raise awareness of corporateresponsibility and the need to develop exporttrade.

Ben Jenkins

face2facesolicitorsA FORMER law studentfrom Clayton West hasestablished WestYorkshire’s first family lawfranchise.

Family and civil lawspecialist Ben Jenkins, whocompleted his law degreeat Huddersfield University,has set up the firstYorkshire franchise offace2face solicitors.

Mr Jenkins (pictured), whose Leeds-basedpractice covers Kirklees and the local courts,practices all aspects of family law, includingdivorce, co-habitation and children issues.

He has solicitor advocate status from theSolicitors Regulation Authority, which meanshe can represent clients in all courts instead ofhaving to hand the case to a barrister.

He is also a member of Resolution, a bodyaiming to help people reach amicableseparation agreements and avoid the courts.

Will Richardson, Dan Stott, Andy Ward,Tom Yeates, Andy Ross, Lee Stamp, SusieHolmes & Iwan Griffiths

PwCACCOUNTANCY firm PwC has announcedthe promotion of three partners and fivedirectors in Yorkshire.

Will Richardson, Dan Stott and Andy Wardhave joined the partnership.

Mr Richardson leads the forensic servicesteam across the North. He has been with thefirm for 18 years and has more than 13 yearsexperience as a forensic accountant.

Mr Stott leads the firm’s regional financialdecisions and analysis team, which helpsclients with business planning andforecasting, board reporting, deal modelling,investment appraisal, options analysis andbringing insight to cash and working capitalmanagement.

Mr Ward takes on the role of managingpartner for the Sheffield office. He succeedsJohn Cowling, who has retired. Mr Ward hasmore than 15 years experience with theassurance practice, which has included clientsecondments and a year in Texas.

Five people have also been promoted asdirectors – Tom Yeates with the assurancedepartment in Leeds , Andy Ross in theadvisory practice, Lee Stamp and SusieHolmes in taxation and Iwan Griffiths infinancial services.

Spa treatmentwows judgesAN independent spa inHuddersfield has beennamed as a finalist in aregional competition.

Alexandra HouseHolistic Health andWellbeing Spa, basedat Edgerton, is amongthe finalists in theregional Good SpaGuide Awards 2012.

Spas nominated inthis category have allbeen reviewed by TheGood Spa Guide – theindependentcomprehensive guideto spas in the UK –and have received thehighest “bubble”ratings in their respective region.

Alexandra House has received much recognition andpraise over the five years since it has been established.The spa was described as “a slice of heaven just off theM62” by the Good Spa Guide which awarded the spa afour bubble rating.

Owner Maxine Stead (pictured) said: “‘It’s a greatpleasure to have been nominated for an award by theGood Spa Guide and to be amongst 12 top spasnominated in the North East region.

“It’s wonderful for the team to be a finalist and itreflects the hard work put in by everyone to create afantastic experience for all of our visitors.”

The spa with the highest number of votes will becrowned winner. Readers can vote for Alexandra Houseby going to http://www.goodspaawards.com/north-east/alexandra-house.

Michael moves on

AN employee of solicitorsChadwick Lawrence has retiredafter 43 years with the firm.

Michael Blackburn started workat the firm’s Dewsbury office inthe accounts department.

Over the years he worked hisway up to head of accounts,managing staff payroll andsalaries before moving on tobecome IT manager.

He has been an integral part ofthe firm, coming into contact withmany of the staff over the yearsand has formed many lastingrelationships.

Mr Blackburn said: “Over the

43 years I have spent atChadwick Lawrence, I havewitnessed lots of changes. I couldnot have wished for a better placeto work and many of mycolleagues have also becomegood friends.”

Managing partner JeremyGarside said: “This is a veryspecial time for Michael, who hasgiven long and continuousservice to the partners and, moreimportantly, to our clients.

“We recognise that our staff arethe backbone of the firm andwould like to thank Michael for hisexceptional devotion to us.”

■ FAREWELL: Michael Blackburn (left), who has retired from lawfirm Chadwick Lawrence, with managing partner Jeremy Garside

Andrew addingvaluable insightYORKSHIRE Building Society haswelcomed a chief economist to its rankswith the appointment of Andrew Mc-Phillips to its treasury team.

Mr McPhillips takes up the newly-created post to provide the Bradford-basedmutual – which has its roots in Hudders-field – with economic opinion and analysisof the key activities affecting the market.

He said: “Given the current marketconditions not only within the UK butglobally, I am joining the Yorkshire at avery challenging time.

“Trust within the banking sector is at anall-time low and the actions of the bigbanks have left many people questioningthe personal finance industry.

“This was one of the reasons I wanted totake up this opportunity with theYorkshire, not only as an expanding andfinancially secure business, but personallyas I really believe in the benefits of a mutualorganisation.”

He added: “Given the current climate,my job will ensure that the organisation cangauge the market, set forecasts and contrib-ute to the strategic direction of thegroup.”

Mr McPhillips, 28, began his career bystudying economics at Leeds MetropolitanUniversity during which time he spent time

working for the Treasury in London.After graduating, he returned to

Government to take up roles in theDepartment of Transport, the Departmentfor Work and Pens ions and the

Department for Education.Said Mr McPhillips: “The knowledge

and experience I gained while working inGovernment was invaluable and in takingup this post with the Yorkshire.”

■ FIGURED OUT: Yorkshire Building Society has appointed Andrew McPhillips to itstreasury team