KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees1, March, 2011

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JODIE MOZLEY NEIL WILSONDramatic influences

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Ponder ing pens ions

Co lumn - Page 4

An EXAMINER publication

BreadwinnersTWO sisters heading aHuddersfield bakeryare starring in anational marketingcampaign.Heather Hinchliffe andJoanne George, whorun Parfitts Bakery &Confectioners, werechosen to take part inthe campaign for RankHovis. The campaignrun throughout 2011and will be seen intrade publications.

TabletoppersA FURNITUREmanufacturer inHuddersfield hasachieved a first for itssector by gaining a keyhealth and safetyaccreditation.

FTSE 100- 7 .19

5994.01

Expert engineerslook to the futureA COLNE Valley engineeringfirm is celebrating its 35thanniversary in upbeat mood.

Slaithwaite-based Hystat Sys-tems Ltd, one of the country’sleading specialists in the design,manufacture and repair of heavyduty hydraulic and pneumaticcylinders, has underlined its con-fidence in the future by taking onnew apprentices each year.

Latest trainees Samuel Crow,Jamie Lock and Luke O’Brien arenow being trained in all aspects ofmanufacturing and design whilecompleting courses at KirkleesCollege and Huddersfield Uni-versity.

And they have a shiningexample to follow in colleagueJonathan Lee, 23, who joined thecompany as a 17-year-old straightfrom school and went on tograduate from the university.

Hystat was formed in February,1976, and began by operatingfrom shared premises in King’sMill Lane before moving to a

modern unit at Spa Fields Indus-trial Estate, Slaithwaite, in July,1982.

The award-winning companyexpanded with the acquisition ofthe intellectual property of Spen-borough Engineering in June,1986, and achieved £1m turnoverfor the first time in February,1988.

Hystat built a new extension in1990 with funding from Capitalfor Companies, British CoalEnterprise and the Rural Devel-opment Commission.

It acquired the intellectualproperty of Cattermole Hydraul-ics from the receiver in June, 1992,before taking over Bank BottomEngineering Services in adminis-tration in April, 2004 – a movewhich added cons iderablemachining capability to the com-pany as well as a new product insub-contract machining.

In 2005, Hystat opened a repairdepartment and built an addi-tional bay on the factory for

heavy machinery.Hystat now employs 102 people

– with about 80 at Slaithwaite andthe remainder at Honley, whereBank Bottom Engineering wasbased.

The company has manufac-tured and fitted hydraulic systemsfor items such as canal bridges,swing bridges, submersibles andaircraft carrier platforms while itslifting equipment is used as farafield as Russia, China, Egypt,South Africa, Brazil and Ice-land.

M a n ag i n g d i re c t o r RayWadsworth – who began the busi-ness working on a drawing boardin his back bedroom –said thecompany was confronted by diffi-cult economic conditions,.

But he added: “We are makinggood in-roads into the oil and gasbusiness.

“We see them as good marketsto be involved in over the longerterm.”

■ FUTURE PROOF: Hystat managing directorRay Wadsworth (centre) with Jonathan Lee (left)and Luke O'Brien

Sweet treats take a starring roll in TV seriesA COMPANY with a sweet shop inHolmfirth is starring on the smallscreen.

Ella Riley’s Toffee Rolls is among agroup of Yorkshire food and drinkfirms due to appear on the BBC’sGood Food Channel as part of thenew series, Market Kitchen: BigAdventure.

Other mouth-watering delicacies tobe featured include Wensleydalecheese, Yorkshire rhubarb from EOldroyd, Henderson’s Relish fromSheffield, Pontefract Cakes andWomersley fruit and herb vinegars.

The new series, to be screened inApril, will hit the road and travelacross Britain’s culinary landscape to

search out and celebrate the very bestof British produce and ingredients.

The programme makers called onregional food brand deliciouslyork-shire to help track down some out-standing Yorkshire produce.

Yorkshire online butcher and deli-ciouslyorkshire member Chris Wild-man has already featured on Channel

4’s The Secret Supper Club andBBC2’s One Man and His Camper-van.

Jenny Handley, marketing managerat deliciouslyorkshire, welcomed theopportunity to showcase localproducts, saying: “It is fantastic to getnational airtime like this so we canreally shout about Yorkshire food.”

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

Solicitors for business inYorkshire

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5994.01Down 7.19

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.50 dollarsBangladesh................. 107.64 takaBrazil.............................. 2.39 realsCanada....................... 1.50 dollarsChina ............................. 9.45 yuanCzech Republic ...... 26.25 korunasDenmark....................... 8.29 kroneEuro............................... 1.12 euroHong Kong................ 11.90 dollarsHungary ................... 285.08 forintsIndia.......................... 64.14 rupeesJapan........................... 125.19 yenMexico ....................... 17.38 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.99 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.65 kronePakistan.................. 129.84 rupeesPhilippines ................. 60.06 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.49 randSouth Korea.............. 1580.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 168.24 rupeesSweden......................... 9.84 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.42 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.81 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.44 new liraUSA ............................ 1.54 dollars

Carclo 2773/8 -1/8Marshalls 1153/4 +3/4National Grid 571 +1/2Weir Gp 1714 +22

Sales slump for Primark

Bank posts profitshaul with ‘humility’

Aer Lingus on an upward pathAER Lingus announced a return toprofit – despite disruption to busi-ness from the volcanic ash cloudand the crippled Irish economy.

The airline made £25.9m last yearcompared with losses of £131.3m in2009.

But chief executive ChristophMueller warned that continued highoil prices will significantly hit profitsthis year.

“If current fuel prices persist, weexpect that 2011 operating profit willbe significantly below that of 2010,”he said.

Aer Lingus described 2010 as adifficult year – noting that the num-ber of passengers at Dublin Airport

fell by 10% following a 13% declinein 2009.

The airline also said it had been hitby the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud,which shut down airspace overEurope for weeks. The big freeze andheavy snow in December furtherdisrupted business.

Mr Mueller said success last yearwas down to a new businessstrategy, with transatlantic servicesback in profit and £35m saved byrestructuring the workforce.

He said the airlines faced “signi-ficant” challenges in 2011 – withtrading likely to be affected by risingfuel prices and increased airportcharges.

Chineselink-upTESCO is forming a£170m joint venture todevelop shopping mallsin China.

The retailer will investabout £30m to developthree shopping mallsafter teaming up with aconsortium of leadingAsian investors, includingSingapore’s MetroHoldings..

Boost fore-booksPUBLISHER Bloomsburysaid its e-book salesgrew 18-fold in 2010 asmore customersdownloaded titles to readon iPads and otherhandheld devices.

Bloomsbury saidrevenues rose by 4% to£90.7m last year whileprofits excluding one-offitems increased to £8.4mfrom £7.7m a year earlier.

Strong demand forElizabeth Gilbert’s Eat,Pray, Love, which wasturned into a moviestarring Julia Roberts,and the Harry Potterbooks following the filmrelease of Harry Potterand the Deathly Hallowshelped Bloomsbury’ssales in the final quarterof the year.

Bloomsbury predictedthat 2011 will be “theyear of the e-book’’ asmore titles becomeavailable for download,sales of handhelddevices grow rapidly andthe UK gains the kind ofmomentum seen in theUnited States, wheree-books account for 15%of sales.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £26.92 +0.14Gannett 1015.81 +10.76Hess Corp £52.67 +0.51Microsoft 1649.18 +16.13Motors Liquidation 46.13Wal-Mart Stores £32.01 +0.18

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 2321/2 +5BAE Systems 3287/8 +11/4Rolls-Royce Gp 617 +5

AIMBrady Plc 791/2 -1/2Dawson Intl 11/2Man Brnze 39

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2097/8 +51/4

BANKSBarclays 3197/8 +61/2HSBC 678 -331/8Lloyds Banking Gp 62 -7/8Ryl Scotland 451/8 -1/2Stan Chart 1627

BEVERAGESDiageo 1202 -3SABMiller £203/4 +1/4

CHEMICALSCroda 1584 +19Elementis 98 1251/2 -11/2Johnsn Mat 1855 +28

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 3491/2 +51/8Costain 2441/2 +71/4

ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 3943/4 +11/4Intl Power 3341/4 +2Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1239 +20

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1601/4 -35/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3587/8 -35/8

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1821/4 +31/2Cable & WirelessComm

48 +5/8

Cable & WirelessWwide

717/8

Colt Group 153 -31/4KCOM 633/4 +11/2Talktalk Telecom 1491/4 +1

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2763/4 -6Sainsbury 380 +51/4Tesco 4041/4 -17/8

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 9661/2 -601/2Nth Foods 733/4 -1/2Tate Lyle 580 +13Unilever 1824 -13Uniq 91/2 -3/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3401/8 +7/8National Grid 571 +1/2Pennon Grp 6321/2 +131/2Severn 1487 +14United Utils 592 +2

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 3121/4 +13/8

ICAP 5201/2London StockExch 900 +71/2Man Group 2871/4 -13/8Provident Financial 1033 +18Schroders 1791 +35Schroders NV 1421 +27

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 654 +1REXAM 365 +13/4Smiths Grp 1337 -8

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 241/8 +3/8Carphone Whse 407 +6Dixons Retail 193/8 -3/8Home Retail 2201/2 -13/4Inchcape 3881/4 +15/8Kingfisher 2543/8 -21/2M & S 3463/8 -45/8Mothercare 480Next 1976 -48WH Smith 460 +13/8

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 7111/2 -6

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 125 -11/2Barrat Dev 1073/8 +31/2Persimmon 4703/8 +71/4Reckitt Benckiser £313/4 +1/8Taylor Wimpey 391/2 +13/4

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 7581/2 +17I M I 889 +10

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 4191/2 +101/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION

BBA Aviation 2221/2 -1/2Forth Ports 1521 -7

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 4663/8 +41/4Lgl & Gen 1183/4 +11/4Old Mutual 1311/2 -13/8Prudential 7111/2 +161/2Resolution 2891/4 +41/4Standard Life 2387/8 -15/8

MEDIABSkyB 787 +1/2D Mail Tst 562 +51/2ITV 871/4 +1Johnston Press 121/4 +1Pearson 1050 +9Reed Elsevier 5491/2 +2STV Group 144 +1Trinity Mirror 81 -1/4Utd Business 7121/2 +61/2UTV 125 +1/4WPP 8461/2 +121/2Yell Group 71/8 -1/8

MININGAnglo American £333/8 +1/4Antofagasta 1407 +10BHP Billiton £243/8Eurasian NaturalRes

9641/2 +71/2

Fresnillo 1594 +18Kazakhmys 1444 +12Lonmin 1836 +7Rio Tinto £431/8 +1/2VEDANTARESOURCES

£241/8 +1/2

Xstrata 1405 +22MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 670

Vodafone Group 1741/4 -3/8

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1689 +28RSA Insurance Gp 1401/4 -1

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 14961/2 -1/2BP 4943/4Cairn Energy 4271/8 +11/2Royal Dutch Shell A £221/8Royal Dutch Shell B £22Total £375/8 +1/2Tullow Oil 1436 +21

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1164 +5Petrofac 1393 +15Wood Group 660 -10

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1199 +12

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGYAstrazeneca £30 +3/8Axis-Shield 317 +1GlaxoSmithK XD 1Shire 1741 -1

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 5831/2 +141/2Captl Shop Cent 3951/4 +73/4DTZ Hldgs 39Hamrsn 4661/8 +141/4Land Secs 7661/2 +171/2SEGRO 322 +41/2

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1643 -9Invensys 3553/8 -13/4Logica 1377/8 -3/4Misys 3285/8 +15/8Sage Group 2841/4 +11/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 4803/4 -41/4Bunzl 760 +4Capita 7251/2 -10De La Rue 720 -1/2Electrocomp 2763/8 +53/4Experian 780 +91/2G4S 264 -1Hays 1243/4 +43/4Homeserve 4521/2 +21/2Menzies J 434 -13Rentokil 907/8Smiths News 94 -2Wolseley £213/8 -1/8

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 617 +9

Psion 95 +11/4Spirent Comms 156 +51/4

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £245/8Imperial Tobacco 1974 -22

LEISURE & HOTELS

Carnival £271/2 -1/8Compass Grp 5531/2easyJet 3571/2 +13/4Enterprise Inns 951/4 -27/8FirstGroup 3643/4 -31/4Go-Ahead Gp 1407 +7Greene King 4631/4 +73/4Intercontl Htls 1368 +13Intl Cons AirlinesGp

2241/2 -1/8

Ladbrokes 1355/8 +7/8Mitchells & Butlers 3251/2 +11/2Natl Express 248 -21/2PartyGaming 1741/2 -1/2Rank Org 131 -5/8Stagecoach Group 2071/8 +3/4TUI Travel 2421/2 +1/8Whitbread 1782 -18

INDEXFTSE 100 5994.01 -7.19

INDEXFTSE 250 11621.29 +12.32

BANKING giant HSBC said profitsmore than doubled in 2010 – with everyarea of its business contributing to theimprovement.

The bank posted profits of £11.8bnagainst the figure of £4.4bn in 2009 as itcontinues to benefit from lower baddebt losses.

But HSBC’s new chairman, DouglasFlint, said the group will “not forget”the financial crisis and support fromgovernments around the world, addingthat the group entered 2011 “withhumility”.

HSBC revealed that new chief exec-utive Stuart Gulliver, formerly head ofthe investment bank, was awarded a£5.2m bonus for 2010, taking his totalpackage for the year to £6.2m.

The bank’s former boss MichaelGeoghegan, who stepped down as chief

executive on December 31, picked up a£3.8m bonus and a total package of£5.8m for the year.

He will continue to work for thegroup until he retires on March 31 andwill be paid more than £1.4m in payand pension this year.

Mr Geoghegan is also entitled to£200,000 for three months’ con-sultancy work after he retires, althoughhe will donate this to charity.

The group confirmed Mr Gulliverwill take his 2010 annual bonus indeferred shares.

HSBC said Mr Gulliver’s bonusreflects “strong achievements” in hisformer role, despite seeing a slight dropin profits in his division.

The group revealed the bonus detailsfor its key staff, with 186 UK employeesreceiving a combined £107m for 2010.

Salaries for the 186 employeestotalled £34m last year.

The bank said its investment bank-

ing division, Global Banking and Mar-kets, saw profits banking division sawprofits drop to £5.9m from £6.5m in2009.

HSBC said it paid £463m in corpor-ation tax last year.

The group said this was 27% of thetaxable profits in the UK, although afar smaller share of the £4.3bn overallUK profit reported for 2010.

HSBC’s shares fell by by 5% or 33.1pto 678p as the bank warned of the costsof tougher banking regulations.

On an underlying basis, HSBC saidprofits rose by 36% to £11.4bn.

HSBC also hit out at the impact ofthe UK’s new banking levy on interna-tional banking groups, saying it wouldhave meant the bank paying out £370mif it had been in place last year.

THE owner of Primark reported a“noticeable” slowdown in UK con-sumer demand.

Associated British Foods said thediscount fashion chain’s half-yearsales rose by 3% on a like-for-like basis– half the level achieved during itsprevious financial year.

AB Foods said that while Primarktraded well before Christmas – despitethe snow – the mood had changedamong UK shoppers since the start ofthe year.

It is also battling against an squeezeon profit margins since the new yearVAT rise and the impact of soaringglobal cotton prices.

The update comes after a longperiod when Primark has weatheredthe recession and consumer downturnwith forecast-beating sales growth.

Consumers are reining in theirspending as they come under pressurefrom the VAT hike, as well as soaringpetrol prices.

John Bason, finance director at ABFoods, said the trend was expected tobe mirrored by other retailers thisyear.

He said: “Even for people whodon’t feel they will lose their jobs, theywill feel they are being squeezed.

“It won’t just be Primark, but we’llsee it for a number of retailers.”

■ TOP TEAM: HSBC’s new team offinance director Iain MacKay (let),chairman Douglas Flint (centre) andchief executive, Stuart Gulliver

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

Jodie Mozley

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: HR and employmentlaw specialistAge: 26Holidays: Florida – I havebeen twice in the last threeyears and I’m off again in2012. I am still a little girl atheart!Car: Vauxhall VectraBest thing about job:Knowing that all the years Istudied hard are paying offand I am helping peopleWorst thing about job:The horrible message alerttones on the blackberry!Business tip: Work hard,be ambitious and alwaysstrive for the next challenge!

Work: Specialists in HR andemployment lawSite: CleckheatonEmployees: 10Phone: 01274 864999Email: jodie@howarthpartnership.co.ukWeb: www.howarthpartnership.co.uk

The HowarthPartnership

Thawshowstheway

FARMER’S daughter JodieMozley has actor JohnThaw to thank for helpingsettle her mind on a careerinvolving the law.

Jodie explains: “I livedwith my grandparents untilthe age of eight. I wasbrought up very ‘old school’– minding my ‘p&qs’,keeping my elbows off thetable and whenever wewatched TV it was always ashow with a ‘proper actor init’ as my grandma used tosay, ‘none of this soaprubbish’.

“And so it was that Iwatched everything thatstarred the likes of JudiDench, Maggie Smith,David Jason and the lateJohn Thaw.

“It was while snuggled upwatching one of JohnThaw’s most famouscharacters, Kavanagh QC,that I started dreamingabout a career in law. Iloved the thought of being abarrister, helping peoplethat needed help – and thethought of wearing therobes and wig at work!”

Says Jodie: “I alwaysknew I would study myA-Levels and I always knewI would go to university. Thisprobably sounds like thestandard path for many myage, but for a farmer’sdaughter from a very, verysmall village on theoutskirts of Sheffield –where nobody else in myfamily had been touniversity – this was huge!

“I attended AstonComprehensive School andpicked up 11 GCSEs fromA* to C Grade. I eventuallyleft with 4 A levels – two Asand two Bs.

“I was all set to go toNottingham University. I hadbeen given an unconditionaloffer, I had been to see thehalls of residence and I hadspotted where all the bestshopping areas were!

“I was four weeks awayfrom starting my law degreewhen I realised I needed tostay in South Yorkshire. Mymum and little brother, whois 10 years younger thanme and aged eight at thetime, needed me and Ineeded them too.

“I cancelled my place atNottingham, knowing itwould go to somebody whotruly wanted it.

“I called the University ofSheffield that same day. Iwas lucky enough to get anappointment with Tony, thehead of admissions for thelaw department, thefollowing day. Off I went,driving up to Crookesmoor– the home of the lawdepartment.

“I parked my car in anarea that said ‘wheelclampers operate in thisarea’. I could not see a payand display machine, andnobody else seemed tohave a permit or ticket, so Ijust popped in for mymeeting.

“I spent an hour withTony, where he reviewedmy grades and asked mewhy I had turned down myplace at such a prestigiousuniversity as Nottingham. Iexplained why, and Tonyunderstood completely. Iwas offered a place thereand then.

”Term was to start in fourweeks, so I had a lot to sortout, the first being theparking fine I had receivedwhile I had been chattingwith Tony!

”It did not matter, I was oncloud nine and not even aparking ticket could havedampened my spirit thatday.”

Jodie studied for fouryears at Sheffield with ayear out in-between.

“For three years, I readlaw and gained my LLBdegree, graduating withhonours,” she says.

“I returned and spent afinal year at Sheffield to gainmy solicitors Legal PracticeCourse.

“It was during my degreethat I sampled many areasof the law. Criminal law wasnot for me, neither wasfamily and property law asthey just did not interest me.

“But then I choseemployment law as anelective. I studiedemployment law during mydegree for a whole sixmonths and similarly for theLPC, too.

“I loved it from day one. Itwas so interesting, itchanged so quickly and the

case law was like a goodbook, unlike several of theother subjects I had studied.”

After graduating, Jodiewas living in Doncasterwhere she was offered a jobwith Simpson Millar LLP.

She says: “I landed the jobof employment law adviserand spent 18 monthsworking on behalf ofCommunity Legal Aidassisting claimants in issueswith their employers. I alsomoved over to WestYorkshire, living in Leeds citycentre and eventually buyingmy own house in Bradford.

“At one point while workingfor Simpson Millar, I realisedI had learned all the tricks ofthe trade regarding claimantwork. I knew whatemployment tribunals lookedout for when a case was putbefore them; I knew whereemployers tripped up andwhere they paid for theirindiscretions.

“My attention quicklyturned from claimant work torespondent work as Idecided it was about time touse the knowledge I hadgained to help employerskeep on the right side of thelaw.”

Last April, Jodie was putinto contact with AndyHowarth, managing directorof The Howarth Partnership.

“I had an interview withAndy where he describedwhat I would be doing on aday to day basis if I got thejob,” says Jodie. “I wouldhave a chance to put myemployment law knowledgeto good use and reallydevelop my HR skills and –most importantly – helpemployers in our region.

“He found out that I waspassionate aboutemployment, passionateabout HR and keen tocontribute to a successfulbusiness that comprised ofboth.

“The following week I hadan interview with HelenHowarth, the financial

director, and TraceyHopkins, the businessdevelopment director. Igot the job! I was about tobecome an HR andemployment lawspecialist.”

Says Jodie: “SinceJune, I have worked inthis role, developed myknowledge, confidenceand skills. We work forsome big names such asModa In Pelle, GalpharmStadium, CB Imports,Barnsley FC CommunityTrust and a great numberof local and regionalbusinesses, includingThatchers Furnishings,Brewfitt Ltd and PetersDepartment Store.

“I spend my daysadvising and assisting HRprofessionals, managersand directors withemployment and HRqueries.

“At The HowarthPartnership, we prideourselves on having anapproachable mannerand trust that all ourclients have no fear inpicking the phone up andtelling us their problems.

“My job is to know thelaw, to impart thatknowledge to others andto help them when theyreally need it.

“That is just what all theteam do at The HowarthPartnership. We work asa team, alwayssupporting one anotherand clients know thatwhen they call they arealways going to hear afriendly, familiar voice atthe end of the phone.That is the mostimportant thing to me.

“I love employment law,I love HR but mostimportantly I love helpingpeople. That’s why allthose years ago Idreamed of a career inlaw. Now I am living thatdream – minus the robesand the wig!”

Outside work, Jodieloves to visit herfamily in SouthYorkshire, readsavidly and enjoysspending time withfriends. She’s alsoplanning her – andspends every spareminute planning forthe big day.

■ KEEN: Jodie Mozley ispassionate about her work

Rocked in Hollywood.Made in Borehamwood.

Business

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

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

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

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

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

EMPLOYER’SBRIEFNeil Wilson

Brand newA BRANDING agency hassecured two new contractsfrom very differentcompanies.Bradley-based 10 Associateshas been asked by Sheffieldindustrial packagingmanufacturer W K West Ltdto modernise itscommunications and raise itsprofile.David Worthington,managing director at 10Associates, said: “We'regoing to develop this greatYorkshire business througheffective branding to achievemassive penetration into itsmarket place.”In addition, 10 Associates iscreating a new brand forAnna Ashbee. Anna, who ismarried to Hull City captainIan Ashbee, runs a trainingconsultancy which hasworked with a number of bluechip companies.

Opportunitiesbeckon in IndiaKIRKLEES firms are being urged toboost exports to India – and helpYorkshire and the UK raise its gamein one of the world’s fastest-growingeconomies.They have been invited to joinhundreds of other UK companies atthe country’s largest-everIndia-focused business conference,which takes place on Thursday,March 10, in Manchester.The event has been organised bythe UK India Business Council(UKIBC), a business-led body set upto increase trade between the twocountries.Yorkshire exported £158m worth ofgoods and services to India in 2008– which means it exported less toIndia than every other UK regionapart from the north-east.The UKIBC said Yorkshire – and theUK as a whole – needed to do muchmore to catch up with itsinternational rivals.Although the UK is the largestrecipient of Indian inwardinvestment into Europe, the UK’sshare of exports to the Indianmarket has fallen as whole over thepast five years.The UK was the fifth largest exporterto India in 2005, but was only ranked18th in 2010 as highlighted byChancellor of the Exchequer GeorgeOsborne in the Taj Hotel in Mumbailast July.Scrap metal and diamonds – whichare sent for polishing – are the UK’slargest exports to India. Meanwhile,there are more than 1,500 Australianbusinesses exporting everythingfrom jeans to cookies to India.France has sold “high-end” brandslike L'Oréal and Dior into the Indianmarket.UKIBC said Yorkshire’s strengths intraditional manufacturing, newmedia and technology, meant it wasperfectly placed to find businesspartnerships in India.UKIBC said India was seekingexpertise in advanced engineering –with companies such as BharatForge, Tata Motors and Mahindraalready starring on the world stage.At the same time, India’sentertainment and media sectoroffered opportunities for mediasector firms.Richard Heald, chief executive of theUKIBC, said India was one of severalfast-growing economies offeringopportunities for UK firms.He said: “This is very different toprevious global recessions becausethere are now powerful economieslike India, China and Brazil whichare providing huge opportunities forlocal businesses right here.“UKIBC is here to show Yorkshireand Humber businesses thepractical steps they need to take inorder to start forming partnershipswith Indian business andgovernment.”The conference will focus on the keysectors of infrastructure, skills andeducation, retail, logistics andsupply chain, technology, lifesciences, advanced engineering andmanufacturing.

Safety certificatefor furniture firmA FURNITURE manufacturer inHuddersfield is believed to be thefirm company in its sector to gainthe Occupational Health and SafetyAssurance System 18001:2007.

The family-owned firm, which isin its fourth generation and has beenin business for 120 years, is headedby cousins Richard and Tom Ellis.

The company, based at Aspley,had to demonstrate its commitmentto the highest standards in its pro-cedures for risk assessment, risk con-t ro l , h a z a rd i d e n t i f i c at i o n ,structured health and safety train-ing, emergency procedures andresponse mechanisms.

Said Richard: “This is a fantasticachievement for us and it iswell-deserved. The team has workedvery hard to make this happen andwe are extremely proud of ourpeople.

“We strive to be the best we can beand this new accreditation really sets

us apart from our competitors, help-ing us secure the future of this greatYorkshire manufacturing business.”

Tom added: “We have beenaround for a long time and we will bearound for a long time to come. Weare committed to being one of UK’sbest manufacturers of kitchen, bath-room and bedroom furniture andkeeping Yorkshire manufacturingfirmly on the map.”

The OHSAS accreditation sitsalongside the company’s otheraccreditations – ISO 9001:2000 forquality, ISO 14001:2004 for soundenvironmental practices and ForestStewardship Council for the manu-facture and supply of furniture fromFSC-certified timbers.

Ell is Furniture, which has200,000sq ft of premises at SilverStreet, employs 225 people and runsan apprentice scheme in conjunctionwith Leeds College of Building.

■ AWARD WINNERS: Richard Ellis (left) and Tom Ellis in theirshowroom at Ellis Furnitur's 200,000sq ft premises at Silver Street inHuddersfield

Net worthFRIDAY lunchtime’s alrightfor networking!Town centre business peopleare invited to attend the FirstFriday Club, which takesplace between 12.30pm and1.30pm on Friday at TheBarking Spider in AlbionStreet.For details of the event emailkrishna.patel@revellward.co.uk

Pension reform pointersTHE Pensions Act 2008 con-

tains many new provisionswhich will be implementedgradually from October 1, 2012,and which will affect all employ-ers of all sizes.

A key element to the Act will be arequirement on companies to auto-matically enrol “jobholders” in apension scheme which meets certaincriteria.

To further this requirement, theGovernment has established ascheme known as NEST – NationalEmployment Savings Trust – whichemployers can use. Alternatively, themajority of schemes already oper-ated by employers will be suitable tomeet the new rules.

When the changes take effect,employers will be required to auto-matically enrol an employee into aqualifying pension scheme, be thattheir own scheme which meets therelevant criteria or the Governmentoperated NEST.

The employer can delay enrolmentto the scheme by up to a maximum ofthree months for new employees.

For an employee to become eli-gible for enrolment into a scheme,they must be between age 22 andstate pension age and earn more thanthe income tax personal allowance,which is currently £7,745.

Interestingly, as well as employees,agency workers will fall under thenew provisions, as the legislationuses the word “jobholder” – morewide-ranging than just employed

workers.A further key element is that, once

a jobholder is enrolled into NEST,the employer is required to pay con-tributions of 3% of basic salary eachyear, with the employee contributing5%.

Both of these provisions are expec-ted to be phased in over five years toease the burden on businesses andworkers.

Jobholders will have a right to optout of being enrolled into any pen-sion scheme, including a NEST. Afurther requirement on employerswill then be for them to re-enrol suchworkers every three years.

Employees may opt in again ongiving notice to the employer andthose who earn below the income taxpersonal allowance can enrol;though there will be no obligation onthe employer to make contributionsin such circumstances.

In terms of compliance, the legis-lation provides for criminal and civilpenalties for failing to comply withthe rules and breaching duties.

In particular large employers canbe liable for escalating penalties ofup to £10,000 per day. Enforcementis likely to be overseen by the Pen-sions Regulator, with day-to-dayenforcement passed to private sectorbusinesses.

The NEST Corporation has nowproduced a “phrasebook” to assistemployers and employees in under-standing pensions in the future.

The aim is to resolve the concernthat “existing pensions language canbe a barrier to understanding” by“keeping it simple, being open andhonest” without “baffling with jar-gon or mystifying with complexity”and “providing step-by-step instruc-tions where possible”.

As we move closer to the initialimplementation date of October 1,2012, further guidance will be pub-lished by the Government and theNEST Corporation and we willbegin to understand what provisionsof the Pensions Act will be imple-mented on which dates.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Bored with BRIC? Solet’s go hunt CIVETS!

BANKER’SBLOGJill Hague

Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdale andKirklees

It’s time to make a change

ter

Productivity gains

■ CASEWORK: RogerPearson, director of P2Technologies

TEN years after the BRICcountries were identified as

the most promising emergingmarkets, the acronym hasbecome a mantra for any com-panies looking to expand over-seas.

Brazil, India, and China are nowmajor players on the world eco-nomic stage with Russia followingclose behind.

But now we should be tracking anew group of emerging markets.These are the CIVETS, named afterthe cat-like animals found in manyof these countries and comprisingColombia, Indonesia, Vietnam,Egypt, Turkey and South Africa.

Each has a large, young, growingpopulation; a diverse and dynamiceconomy; and each in relative termsis politically stable.

But underpinning this is a moredramatic shift in the balance ofglobal trade.

Within three years, for the firsttime, the economic firepower ofemerging markets will overtake thedeveloped world, measured by pur-chasing power parity.

It is a defining moment.Demographically, the nature of

these markets are also changing,with a predicted massive growth inthe numbers of middle-income con-sumers.

By 2030, a staggering 93% of theworld's middle class will live inemerging markets.

Companies looking to rise withthis economic tide need to startacting now to cement trade links.

So where exactly do the exportopportunities exist in these coun-tries?

Colombia's economy is diverseand relatively advanced – and thereare opportunities in sectors such as

oil and gas and particularly in min-ing, machinery and training.

The environment is also a priority,including water treatment, cleandevelopment projects, environ-mental consultancy and renewableenergy.

In the case of Indonesia, infra-structure is key for a country thathas a population of 230m spreadacross 17,000 islands.

Indonesia needs more airports,ports and railways and power plants– all of which will provide opportun-ities for UK engineers and contract-ors.

The environment is also a bigpriority in Indonesia with a need for

waste management and new watertreatment facilities.

There is demand for financial ser-vices and healthcare providers andthere are big opportunities in retailserving younger populations whosee global brands as extremely desir-able.

Vietnam, whose economy grew by5% last year, needs infrastructureinvestment to expand.

Power, transport and telecoms arekey areas.

There are also opportunities forUK accountancy, banking and legalfirms to help develop the country'sinstitutions and help them imple-ment regulations and laws.

Vietnam also has a growing retailmarket.

In the case of Egypt, the bestopportunities for UK companiesare in education and training, engin-eering, oil and gas and IT.

There will also be spending onenvironment and water, construc-tion, mass transport and fire andsecurity.

Turkey is forecast to be the secondfastest growing economy in the

world by 2018. A young growingpopulation and EU funding meanthere are opportunities for UK com-panies in a variety of sectors includ-ing, environment and water, ports,agriculture, airports, financial ser-vices, education and training andIT.

South Africa already has a goodinfrastructure, with major capitalinjections to upgrade this further,and a business culture that is similarto that of the UK.

Here, the greatest opportunitiesexist in agri-technology, advancedengineering and design, construc-tion, rail, chemicals, mining, educa-tion and skills, environment, power,creative industries, healthcare,sports and leisure infrastructure andfinancial services.

So what are your next steps?What’s your strategy for trading

with emerging markets? Are youtargeting the growing middleclasses? Unsure where to start?

If you need any further informa-tion then please contact me at jill-hague@hsbc.com

FIRMS undergoingchanges in uncertain timesmay benefit from a trainingcourse in Kirklees.Aspley-based Better Healthat Work has joined up withSheffield Hallam Universityto stage a course on

change managementtraining from 9.30am to4pm on Friday, March 18, atthe Textile Centre ofExcellence, Red DolesLane, Huddersfield.Workplace adviser RosSweet said the course

would cover issues suchas developing practicalstrategies for changemanagement, overcomingresistance to change andlooking at how individualsand groups are affected.Phone 01484 416777.

A LEADING law firm hasturned to a Huddersfield firmto upgrade its IT systems.

IT specialist support firmP2 Technologies Ltd hashelped Spratt Endicott Soli-citors to become more effi-c i e n t a n d i m p r o v eproductivity.

L o c k wo o d - b a s e d P 2provided support and guid-ance to the in-house IT teamthrough its P2 OneSupportmanaged IT service.

Andrew Wilkinson, ITm a n a g e r a t O x f o r d-shire-based Spratt Endicott,said: “We were unhappy withthe support we were receiving

from our previous IT sup-plier. Progress was slow andcosts were at a premium.

“We needed a solutionwhich would improve ourexisting IT system, enablingthe firm to become more effi-cient and productive.

P2 director Roger Pearsonsaid: “Trust and commitmentare very important whenforming and growing a busi-ness relationship.

“Working closely withSpratt Endicott we are able todiscuss future plans openlyand ensure that our servicesare well-aligned to theirneeds.”

Growth the key to new jobsMORE than half of firms inthe north plan to createjobs over the coming 12months – but only if salesgrow first, says a survey.

Some 58% of firms in theregion responding to theBarclays Corporate JobCreation Survey said theyplanned to take on moreworkers in 2011.

Two-thirds of them saidthey expected to recruit

mainly at junior and middlemanagement level as wellas skilled labour.

Nationally, largecompanies with turnoverexceeding £500m were themost positive about jobcreation with 85% planningto recruit full-time staff in2011.

Small firms with annualsales below £5m were themost cautious with only

41% set to create new jobsthis year – and only half ofthese positions full-time.

Among northern firms,85% said they would needto see growth in salesbefore creating new jobs.

While 59% said demandwas the key to trigger jobcreation, 12% said theywould start recruiting whenthey began exploring newmarkets.

Lesley SuttonTax Director01484 538 351

theboard@revellward.co.uk

www.revellward.co.uk

On the board with

tth

OCapital

Expenditure Plans?Annual Investment Allowance “AIA”

gives 100% tax relief on the first£100,000 of qualifying capital

expenditure on plant and machinery,fixtures, office equipment, computers,

vans and lorries.The current limit of £100,000 is beingreduced to only £25,000 from 1 April2012 for companies or 6 April 2012

for sole traders / partnerships.

Revell Ward Tip:If you are planning a significant amountof capital expenditure, then it might be

worth reconsidering the timing to ensurethat you maximise relief in your last full

accounting period ending priorto the reduction.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

Company buildingfor success in 2011

■ PLAY ROOM: John Stancliffe, of Eurolink Construction Services, with Almondbury Playgroup staff (from left)Joanne Biro, Jean Martin and Donna Burdass outside the new building

Construction team on right road

Maintenance work award

A COMPANY providing portablebuildings is bidding for permanentsuccess in 2011.

Meltham-based Eurolink Con-struction Services is launching a newannual maintenance package for all itsrecently completed projects acrossYorkshire.

The package is designed to keep thebuildings looking as good as the daythey were installed and help customersavoid high repair costs.

Eurolink Construction Services,based at Link Business Park, KnowleLane, has been supplying portabletemporary and semi-permanent build-ings to local authority projects for the

past 20 years.The latest project was for Almond-

bury Playgroup, which is based at theAlmondbury CE Infant and JuniorSchool site at Longcroft.

A spokeswoman for the firm said:“The playgroup was struggling with aworn-out building until it applied toKirklees Council for funding from theQuality and Access Fund, which wasavailable under The Childcare Act2006, giving local authorities duties tomanage local childcare markets.

“The playgroup provides care forchildren aged 2-4 years and has groupsin the mornings along with a lunchclub.

“The new building, supplied andinstalled by Eurolink ConstructionServices, is a vast improvement andprovides a safe and pleasant atmo-sphere for the children.”

Eurolink is a member of many tradeorganisations, including CHAS andConstructionline.

Membership ensures that the com-pany supports strict health and safetyprocedures. Eurolink also has a com-mitment to providing quality assur-ance by its achievement of BS ISO9001.

The firm will also launch a newwebsite at www.eurolink-construction.co.uk

A COMPANY looking after more than1,000km of Calderdale’s roads iscelebrating after winning a nationalaward.

For the second year running, Ameyhas been recognised as part of theConsiderate Constructors SchemeNational Site Awards.

Last year, Amey secured a nationalsilver award and this year is hoping togo one better by getting a gold.

Amey, which works with CalderdaleCouncil to deliver highway services,street lighting and wintermaintenance, has been notified of the

national success, but won’t find outwhether it’s a gold, silver or bronzeaward until an official ceremony onMarch 29 in Manchester.

The Considerate ConstructorsScheme National Site Awards areissued annually to companiesshowing excellent standards ofconsideration towards theirworkforce, neighbours and theenvironment.

Some 8,500 sites across the UKare eligible for the awards, but theyare only presented to thetop-performing 7.5% of sites

inspected by the scheme’s monitors.Amey, which has more than 60

staff covering Calderdale and looksafter roads across an area includingBrighouse, Rastrick, Hebden Bridgeand Todmorden, was recognised forareas such as employee safety,updating residents about plannedworks and recycling kerbs andconcrete.

Amey account manager StuartNichols said: “We always take intoaccount those who live and workalongside us and are delighted ourteam has been recognised for this.”

PROPERTY maintenance andutility metering servicesprovider PH Jones has beenappointed as one of sixcontractors selected to workfor Trans-Pennine HousingGroup.Halifax-based Trans-Penninehas pledged to spend £12.5mover the next four years toimprove heating systems in4,300 homes across WestYorkshire, South Yorkshireand the North West.PH Jones, based in Cheshire,will be replacing worn out andobsolete gas-fired and electric

heating systems. Engineerswill also oversee theinstallation of alternativeenergy sources,environmentally sensitiveheating solutions and groupheating systems.Martin Jones, managingdirector at PH Jones, said:“This contract award is one ofour largest to date within ourHomeservices businessdivision. This adds to ourrecent successes includingwinning a partnership awardwith Harvest Housing.”

House registrations improveHOUSEBUILDERS havewelcomed 2011 with anincrease in year-on-year newhome registrations forJanuary.Figures from the NationalHousebuilding Councilshowed a 5% rise in

registrations across allsectors – from 7,400 inJanuary, 2010, to 7,788 inJanuary 2011. Private sectorregistrations saw an 18%increase on 2010, but publicsector registrations declinedby 16%.”

Modern Industrial Units To LetLease terms available on request

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • AGENTS • CONSULTANT • ADVISOR

TRAFALGAR MILLS • LEEDS ROAD • HUDDERSFIELD • HD2 1YY

Very modern unit on a busy siteonly 2 miles from town centre.Unit 17 – 4899 sq ft.Unit 19 - 4966 sq ft.

Queens Mill, Queens Mill Road, Huddersfield

Modern units on a busy industrialestate. Good access to motorway

network. Good car parking availablewith spacious, secure yard area.

Unit 4 – 3934 sq ft.Unit 6 – 3260 sq ft.

Junction 25 Business Park, Huddersfield Road, Mirfield

Fieldhouse Park, Leeds Road, Huddersfield

Recently acquired by MB Services,newly refurbished, modern,

self contained industrial unitsavailable for immediate occupation.Large secure yard and loading area.

Sizes range from 4,453 to 13,195 sq ft.

Caldervale Works, Brighouse

Trafalgar Mills, Leeds Road, Huddersfield

Contact: Christine EcclestonMB Services01484 557102

Paul AndrewWalker Singleton01484 477600

New industrial units to let just offLeeds Road in Huddersfield. Primelocation for all major road networks.Secure site benefiting from CCTV.Unit 10 – 13,706 sq ft.

2nd Floor Offices to let.Up to 4,736 sq ft.Modern Office UnitCan be subdivided

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

RICS makesits Budget pleaMEASURES to encouragegrowth in the Yorkshire prop-erty sector should feature inthe Chancellor’s next Budget,according to the Royal Insti-tution of Chartered Survey-ors.

A policy document from theRICS stressed that propertyand construction were signi-ficant drivers of growth in thewider economy – with every£1 spent on construction con-tributing £2.84 to economicactivity.

The RICS called for adetailed plan for achievingefficiency savings of £5bn inpublic sector property costsand disposals of £20bn overthe next 10 years throughlong-term strategic planningand retention of the brightestprofessional talent in the pub-lic sector.

It acknowledged that signi-ficant cuts were needed toreduce the deficit, but added:“This Budget provides anopportunity to initiate a sus-tainable recovery by restartingthe massive engine of growththat is the construction andproperty sector.”

RICS proposals includecutting VAT on refurbishmentof homes, changes to the taxsystem to encourage residen-tial property investment andreinstating empty commercialproperty rate relief.

RICS Yorkshire chairmanColin Harrop said: “This is anextremely important Budgetfor the regional economy.

“Things are slowly starting

to pick up now following thedevastating effect of the bank-ing crisis and the recessionand we are now facing furtherchallenges from the cumulat-ive effects of government cutbacks and the growing threatof inflation.

“It is important that theGovernment recognise theneeds of regions such as York-shire and Humberside.

“This Budget provides themwith a chance to encouragegrowth and innovation in con-struct ion and property,providing much needed jobs,tackling the housing shortageand ensuring that businesseshave a continuing supply of

high quality premises.“With house-building at a

desperately low level, it isessential that the Governmenttakes steps to attract invest-ment into the residential sec-tor.”

Commenting on the pro-posals, Basharat Ali, partnerat Huddersfield-based Armit-age Sykes Solicitors, said:“The regional board of RICSoutlined the forthcomingBudget as a pivotal point toencourage growth in these sec-tors.”

He added: “This Budgetcould initiate a sustainablerecovery by restarting thegrowth in the constructionand property sector.”

■ PLEA : Colin Harrop, ofRICS, said measures to boostthe industry were essential

Pack Horse pub set forresidential developmentA PUB is set to beconverted to residential useafter its sale by businessagents Christie + Co.The Pack Horse atSouthowram (right) wassold for an undisclosedsum off a freehold guideprice of £135,000 to alocally-based businessman,who plans to convert it forresidential use.The detached stone-builtproperty is located in thecentre of the village ofSouthowram, close toBrighouse and Halifax andabout four miles fromjunction 25 of the M62.The property comprises a40-capacity lounge bar, a

games room and athree-bedroom private flat.It also has a car park, a

timber-decked patio at therear and a single garageand store.

■ PIVOTAL: Basharat Ali,partner at Huddersfield lawfirm Armitage Sykes

TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION

Industrial PremisesPine Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1SS1Workshop/storage unit1 473.64m2 (5,098 sq ft)1 Edge of town centre location1 Ease of access to A62 Leeds Road CorridorRent: £15,000 per annum

TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION

Commercial Unit12 Old Leeds Road, Huddersfield, HD1 1SP1 Prominent commercial unit1 274.84m2 (2,958 sq ft)1Generous parking provision1 Edge of town centre locationRent: On Application

TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION

Workshop & OfficesPine Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1SS1Office/workshop hybrid unit1 228.34m2 (2,458 sq ft)1 Edge of town centre location1 Ease of access to A62 Leeds Road CorridorRent: £7,500 per annum

TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION

Modern UnitUnit 1 Brookwoods Industrial Estate, Burrwood Way,Holywell Green, HX4 9BH1 Self contained modern unit with secure yard1 1,241m2 (13,361 sqft)1 Site are of 0.28 Hectares (0.69 Acres)1 Ease of access to J24 of M62Rent: £3.75 psf per annum exclusive

TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION

Industrial UnitsAshday Industrial Estate, Elland Road, Elland,HX5 9JB1New build industrial units1 295 – 1,770m2 (3,175 – 19,052 sq ft)1 Prominent Roadside positionRent: On Application

FOR SALE – NEW INSTRUCTION

Factory PremisesPellon Works, Spring Hall Lane, Halifax, HX2 0ES1 Substantial factory premises1 1733.7m2 (18,661 sq ft)1 Potential residential re-development site1 0.281 Hectares (0.7 Acres)Guide Price £350,000

FOR SALE – NEW INSTRUCTION

Workshop & OfficesPencraft Fencing Ltd, Farrer Mill Lane, Halifax,HX3 9EU1Workshop & offices1 316.51m2 (3407 sq ft)1 Plus extensive yard extending to approx 0.5 AcresOIRO £275,000

TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION

Counter/Workshop UnitsJunction 25 Business Park, Mirfield, WF14 9DA1Modern trade counter/ workshop units1Units from 303m2 (3,260 sq ft)1 Prominent main road frontage to A644 Huddersfield

Road1 Substantial yard/car parking provisionRent: On Application

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

ColliersRob Cohen

PROPERTY agency ColliersInternational has appointed RobCohen as senior surveyor with itsrating team in West Yorkshire.

Mr Cohen (pictured) will beresponsible for driving newbusiness and managing existinginstructions, including thenational accounts forCo-operative Group and Aldi.

Mr Cohen, who previously spent five yearswith Sanderson Weatherall, joins a team of four.

Mick O’Donoghue, head of rating in WestYorkshire, said: “We are delighted to welcomeRob to the team. We have experienced a majorincrease in business following the introductionof the 2010 rating revaluation. This hasimpacted on all businesses and commercialorganisations, fuelling significant increases inrates bills.”

Simon Pattison

WaxmanEnergySOLAR installations companyWaxman Energy has appointedSimon Pattison as renewableenergy manager.

Mr Pattison (pictured) joins theElland-based after working asmanager of EcoSkies TrainingCentre, which he helped todevelop and where he trained alarge number of installersaccredited to the Microgeneration CertificateScheme.

Mr Pattison holds many professionalqualifications and is also the author of the Ecocertified G83/1 solar photovoltaic installationcourse. He also has practical experience in theinstallation of solar photovoltaic systems, solarthermal systems, wind turbines, heat pumpsand rainwater harvesting.

He is a member of the Chartered Institute ofPlumbing and Heating Engineering.

New station inlife for Bandits!A FORMER musician withsome of Huddersfield’sbest-known bands has real-ised his dream of running arecording studio.

Alex Mullen played withbands including Gatsby,Springwood Junction andNicky Nacky Noo beforeforming three-piece Banditsat 2 O’clock with Rick Fryand Kevin Stockdale.

When Kevin left to joinJagged Edge, Alex and Rickcontinued with bandits untilretiring in October, 2004.

Now Alex and Rick, whohead AdsMedia, are runninga recording studio at thefo r m e r r a d i o s t a t i o npremises at Lockwood Park– providing members of thepublic with the chance tomake their own CDs ofthemselves singing favouritesongs to give as gifts forfriends and relatives.

Said Alex: “As soon as Iwas made aware that thefacilities were available, Icontacted the rugby clubwith a view to moving from

our old premises in Paddockand into the purpose-builtstudio areas at LockwoodPark.

“It didn’t take much con-vincing that we would indeedput these studios to properuse and now I’m like a kidwith a brand new toy.

“I’ve always dreamed ofhaving my own recordingstudio.

“Unfortunately, we arerestricted in taking smallerrecording projects and wantto steer clear of inviting‘bands with drum kits’ in –we just don’t have theroom.”

Alex said: “Although wedon’t play live anymore,we’re still heavily involvedwith music.

“We’ve amassed a massivecollection of ‘karaoke’tracks so we are sure to havethe songs people want.

“But there’s no problem inpeople bringing their ownsongs in and who knows, wemay even find the nextX-Factor star!”

Jonathan Griffin & Neil Messenger

Grant ThorntonACCOUNTANCY firm Grant Thornton hasappointed Jonathan Griffin as head of its privateclient services in West Yorkshire.

Mr Griffin is joined by Neil Messenger,national head of wealth management, as thefirm widens its tax and financial planningoffering. The two men (pictured above) haveworked together extensively at Grant Thorntonand for 10 years have built a highly successfulprivate client practice for the firm in Nottinghamand Sheffield.

Mr Griffin said: “I am excited about the growthprospects for the private client practice inYorkshire having seen so much growth in thedemand for our services in other parts of thecounty in recent years.”

Bakers rise to the occasion

TWO sisters running a Huddersfieldbakery have taken starring roles in anational advertising campaign.

Heather Hinchliffe and JoanneGeorge (above), who head ParfittsBakery & Confectioners, were chosento take part in the campaign for RankHovis, the UK’s leading flour millingbusiness.

The campaign, which will featurethroughout 2011, will be shown intrade publications and seen by othercraft bakery businesses across theUK and Ireland.

In order to capture moments of

baking brilliance, the photographyteam had to be in the Newsomebakery – joining the bakers at 5am!

Parfitts, established back in 1970,was originally run by Heather andJoanne’s parents, but after they tooksemi-retirement the two daughtersnow head the business, which has achain of 10 bakeries across WestYorkshire.

Since taking over, Heather andJoanne have introduced newproducts and have even joined thesocial media revolution by gettingonto Facebook. .

■ SOUND CHECK: Rick Fry (left) and Alex Mullen in the newrecording studio at Lockwood Park

To receive your entry form call01484 437702 or enter online

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