KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees26, Ju ly, 2011

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Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

PAUL BRISK SIMON KAYE

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Br ing me sunshine!

Co lumn - Page 5

An EXAMINER publication

TurbopoweredA LEADING businessfigure is the latestspeaker to beannounced for thisyear’s Women’sBusiness Forum.Tim Solso, chairmanand chief executive ofCummins Inc, whichownsHuddersfield-basedCummins TurboTechnologies, willaddress delegates atthe event which takesplace on Thursday.

Shaken,not stirredA COMPANY boss isstaging a charity ballwith a James Bondtheme. David Elliott, ofcamper van converterWellhouse Leisure isalready running adozen marathons forchildren’s charityDreams Come True.

FTSE 100-9 .76

5925.26

Security alert for customers buying onlineMOST smaller firms selling productsonline are not safeguarding their cus-tomers’ payment details properly, it isclaimed.

The alert comes from IT con-sultancy firm ITwiser, a division ofCleckheaton-based accountancy firmClough & Company.

The firm, which carries out securityaudits on businesses based in WestYorkshire that trade online, has foundthat almost 80% haven’t had theirsecurity systems checked or updated

since they were first installed.Martin Clark, who heads ITWiser,

said: “The people running many ofthese businesses have trusted in thecompany or individual who designedand built their website to ensure all thesecurity procedures are in place toprotect their customer’s personaldetails.

“Unfortunately, in a vast number ofcases these systems have never beenchecked to make sure they work andwith new threats constantly emerging,

it’s essential that businesses have theirsystems updated at least once a year toguarantee customer safety.”

E-commerce businesses that havethe IT systems checked by ITWiser areprovided with an accredited certificateof safety.

Said Mr Clark: “We work for allsorts of businesses that sell itemsonline and have found that there aregaping holes in many of the IT systemsthat can be quickly identified andremedied.

“However, once security has beenbreached and customers’ details havebeen exposed, the damage for thatcompany is irredeemable.

“For peace of mind and responsibletrading it’s essential regular checks aremade,” said Mr Clark.

“The safety certificate also benefitsbusinesses as it can help reduce insur-ance premiums, so we are encouraginganyone who trades online to reviewand check the systems they have inplace.”

Retailers temptedby spicy dessertsAN Indian foods specialist based inDewsbury is hoping to curry flavourwith retailers.

Curry Cuisine has enlisted supportfrom Sheffield Hallam University toput a range of new products on thesupermarket shelves.

The firm called in the university'sfood and design experts to helpdevelop a range of fruity dessertsauces, made using combinations ofspices used in Indian cooking.

A major retailer is now set to stockthree flavours – Strawberry & Mint,Mango, Cardamon & Ginger andKiwi & Lime in its stores from nextyear.

The Scrummee dessert sauces,which also come in Plum & StarAnise, Cherry Chocolate & Chilli,Rhubarb, Lemongrass & Ginger, canbe used as toppings for a range ofdesserts.

Paresh Tejura, who runs Curry

Cuisine, applied for a £2,500 innova-tion voucher from Kirklees Councilto provide some financial help for hisnew products.

He then approached the team atSheffield Hallam University’s Centrefor Food Innovation and InnovationFutures, who were able to providetechnical and nutritional know-howon the products to help develop themfor the retail market.

Experts from the university'sin-house consultancy, DesignFutures, created the packaging for theproducts, which are already beingsold locally and were on sale at TheGreat Yorkshire Show.

Said Paresh: “People might notassociate Indian food with dessertsauces.

“However, this new range usesspices such as cardamon, lemongrassand mint which are commonly usedin Indian cooking.

“These sauces are classic cookingcombinations, but are used in a newand exciting way.

“We believe we have developed aproduct with real ‘oomph’ and wewouldn't have been able to developthese products as effectively withoutthe university's food and designexpertise.

“With their help, we have been ableto add and invigorate a forgottencategory on the shelves.'"

Senior sensory technician EmmaJohnson, of the Centre for FoodInnovation at Sheffield Hallam, said:“We were able to develop Paresh'sexciting new products using ourstate-of-the-art food testing and sens-ory laboratories.

“We have used these facilities towork with a variety of clients. Wewere delighted to help springboardScrummee to the supermarketshelves.”

■ CURRY KING: Paresh Tejura,operations director of Curry Cuisine

Career high points!

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

Solicitors for business inYorkshire

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

5925.26Down 9.76

Carclo 3201/2 -111/4Marshalls 109 +1/2National Grid 6081/2 -11/2Weir Gp £221/8 +1/2

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £31.99 -0.09Gannett 823.41 -15.35Hess Corp £45.39 -0.27Microsoft 1702.08 +11.67Motors Liquidation 46.05Wal-Mart Stores £33.36 -0.12

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 284 -8BAE Systems 3037/8 -11/8Rolls-Royce 6521/2 +1

AIMBrady Plc 811/4 +33/4Dawson Intl 21/8Man Brnze 441/2 -1/2Uniq 943/8 -1/8

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2381/4 +23/4

BANKSBarclays 229 -105/8HSBC 6075/8 -45/8Lloyds Banking Gp 451/8 -2Ryl Scotland 361/4 -5/8Stan Chart 1617 +3

BEVERAGESDiageo 1266 -5SABMiller £233/8 +1/4

CHEMICALSCroda £203/8 +1/4Elementis 98 187 +5Johnsn Mat £21

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 305 -1

Costain 209 -43/4ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 5191/2 +2Intl Power 3081/2 -5/8Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1410 -3

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1937/8 +21/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3821/2 -1

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1963/4 -11/4Cable & WirelessComm

357/8 -1

Cable & WirelessWwide

411/2 -17/8

Colt Group 1187/8 +7/8KCOM 79 -1/2Talktalk Telecom 1395/8 -11/2

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2935/8 +1/2Sainsbury 3117/8 -41/2Tesco 3961/2 -1

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1092 +7Tate Lyle 6231/2 +3Unilever 1999 -5

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3283/8 -17/8National Grid 6081/2 -11/2Pennon Grp 711 +2Severn 1461 +10United Utils 598 +10

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2803/4 -25/8ICAP 4693/4 -33/4London StockExch 1044 -13Man Group 2401/8 -3Provident Financial 1039 -1Schroders 1642 -23Schroders NV 1375 -18

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 6441/2 +21/2REXAM 382 -17/8Smiths Grp 1181 +8

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 181/4 -1Carphone Whse 404 -1/2Dixons Retail 151/4 -1Home Retail 1351/4 -53/4Inchcape 370 -8Kingfisher 2641/2 -25/8M & S 3561/8 -5Mothercare 399 +11/2Next £241/4WH Smith 5081/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 657 -11/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 1071/2Barrat Dev 1011/4 -1Persimmon 462 -43/4Reckitt Benckiser £351/4 +1/2Taylor Wimpey 363/4 -3/8

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 797 +11I M I 1086 +2

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 4861/2 -2

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 2143/4 -23/4

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 4125/8 -123/4Lgl & Gen 1153/8 -11/4Old Mutual 1293/4 -5/8Prudential 690 -4Resolution 2817/8 -63/4Standard Life 2023/4 -31/4

MEDIABSkyB 739 -2D Mail Tst 4257/8 -47/8ITV 683/8 -7/8Johnston Press 51/4 +1/8Pearson 1150 -17Reed Elsevier 561 -1/2STV Group 1267/8 -5/8Trinity Mirror 431/2 -43/4Utd Business 5261/2 -6UTV 127 -4WPP 727 -2Yell Group 63/4 -1/4

MININGAnglo American £301/4Antofagasta 1419 -3BHP Billiton £235/8 -1/8Eurasian NaturalRes

781 -5

Fresnillo 1729 +48Kazakhmys 1349 -7Lonmin 1322 -9Rio Tinto £441/4

VEDANTARESOURCES

1852 -22

Xstrata 13581/2 +1MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 5241/2 -41/2Vodafone Group 162 -21/2

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1562 -32RSA Insurance Gp 1355/8 -2

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1425 +151/2BP 4753/8 +5Cairn Energy 3863/4 -61/4Royal Dutch Shell A £227/8 +1/8Royal Dutch Shell B £227/8Total £345/8 -1/8

Tullow Oil 1299 -3OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES

AMEC 1119 +1Petrofac 1478 -8Wood Gp(J) 7031/2 -21/2

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1600 +22PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £301/2Axis-Shield 485 -15GlaxoSmithK 221/2Shire £203/4 +1/8

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 604 +4Captl Shop Cent 3861/8 +51/4DTZ Hldgs 421/4 +17/8Hamrsn 4771/8 +51/4Land Secs 8741/2 +71/2SEGRO 3123/8 +13/8

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1662 -29Invensys 314 +111/4Logica 121 -2Misys 4013/4 -111/2Sage Group 2791/2 -11/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 544 -5Bunzl 7891/2 +6Capita 7031/2 +31/2De La Rue 7851/2 +6Electrocomp 2391/4 -11/4Experian 826 +61/2G4S 2781/2Hays 941/2 -3/8

Homeserve 4941/4 -3/4Menzies J 5171/2 -11/2Rentokil 913/4 -1/2Smiths News 861/2 +51/2Wolseley 1915 +9

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 616 +6Psion 771/2 -1/2Spirent Comms 134 -25/8

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £281/2Imperial Tobacco £211/2

LEISURE & HOTELSBwin.Party Digital 1371/2 -31/4Carnival £225/8 -1/4Compass Grp 5841/2 -4easyJet 3691/8 +11/8Enterprise Inns 623/8FirstGroup 3621/4 -21/8Go-Ahead Gp 1565 -4Greene King 4901/4 -33/4Intercontl Htls 1266 +3Intl Cons AirlinesGp

241 -2

Ladbrokes 1461/2 -13/8Mitchells & Butlers 2825/8 -63/8Natl Express 2543/4 +43/8Rank Org 143 -31/2Stagecoach Group 2543/8 -3/8TUI Travel 1933/4 -21/4Whitbread 1570 -11

INDEXFTSE 100 5925.26 -9.76

INDEXFTSE 250 11786.19 -34.14

THE owner of builders’merchant Jewson isadding another 148branches to its estatewith the takeover ofWolseley’s Build Centerbusiness.

France’s Saint-Gobainserves the UK buildingindustry through 900sites, including more than500 branches under theJewson brand and otherssuch as Tile Base andplumbers’ merchantGraham.

It is paying Wolseley£145m for Build Center,which has a branch atWillow Lane, Birkby. Thedeal is subject tocompetition clearance.

The sale of the UK’sfourth-largest generalbuilders’ merchant is partof a sell-off programmeby Wolseley to focus onsupplying buildingmaterials in France andproducts for plumbingand heating in the UK.

Buildingbranches

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.43 dollarsBangladesh................. 114.81 takaBrazil.............................. 2.26 realsCanada....................... 1.48 dollarsChina ............................. 9.39 yuanCzech Republic ...... 25.41 korunasDenmark....................... 8.05 kroneEuro............................... 1.08 euroHong Kong................ 12.06 dollarsHungary ................... 275.35 forintsIndia.......................... 63.83 rupeesJapan........................... 121.64 yenMexico ....................... 16.97 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.76 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.43 kronePakistan.................. 132.55 rupeesPhilippines ................. 59.30 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.44 randSouth Korea.............. 1500.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 168.42 rupeesSweden......................... 9.88 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.26 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.06 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.57 new liraUSA ............................ 1.56 dollars

Backingfor codeEMPLOYERS’ body theCBI has welcomed anew voluntary code ofconduct for executivesearch firms – to boostthe number of women oncompany boards.

The new code willencourage headhuntersto widen their searchbeyond the “usualsuspects” to producemore diverse lists ofcandidates for top jobs.

Katja Hall, CBI chiefpolicy director, said: “Westrongly support the driveto get more women onboards and headhuntershave a crucial role toplay.”

BUDGET airline Ryanair highlightedthe pressure of rising fuel costs onthe industry after posting flat profitsfor its spring quarter.

The carrier, which has a fleet of272 planes, said its fuel bill rose by49% or £123m on a year ago to£375.8m in the period between Apriland the end of June.

That restricted profit growth to 1%at £122.6m.

The costs offset a 29% rise inrevenues to £1bn, which reflected an11% rise in average fares and an 18%jump in passenger numbers to21.3m.

Comparisons with last year wereaided by the disruption to services

caused by the Icelandic ash cloud in2010.

Ryanair said fuel prices remained“stubbornly high” with spot pricesnow at $118 a barrel. However, it hasbought 90% of its requirements forthe current financial year to nextMarch at about $86 a barrel, an 18%increase on last year.

Chief executive Michael O’Learysaid high oil prices were forcingcompetitors to further increase theirfuel surcharges and fares, makingRyanair’s low fares even moreattractive.

They would also drive further con-solidation and cause more airlinesto exit the industry, he said.

ONE of the UK’s first and best-knowninternet banks was broken up in a movethreatening up to 600 jobs.

The sale of Egg’s mortgage and sav-ings operations to the Yorkshire Build-ing Society comes four months after USowner Citi offloaded the brand’s creditcard business to Barclays.

Bradford-based Yorkshire, whichgrew out of the Huddersfield and Brad-ford Building Society, will acquire theEgg name but will not take on thecompany’s 600-strong workforce, whichis largely based in Derby.

An unspecified number of staff will beretained by Citi under an outsourcingagreement with Yorkshire until the endof 2012.

Once the deal completes later this year,existing Egg customers will becomemembers of Yorkshire.

Egg was set up by Prudential in 1998.Current owner Citi acquired the business

from Prudential for £575m in 2007before the credit crunch and recessionmeant it required a US governmentbail-out.

Egg’s remaining operations comprisea £2.5bn savings book and £430m ofresidential mortgages.

Yorkshire said the savings book willenhance its funding position and capa-city to lend, while boosting its productrange.

The price of the acquisition was notdisclosed.

The Yorkshire is the UK’s secondlargest building society with assetsexceeding £30bn.

In a statement, the society said: “Theacquisition of the Egg savings and mort-gage books is in line with Yorkshire’sstrategy to take advantage of opportun-ities which it considers to be in thelong-term interests of its current andfuture members.”

Yorkshire has been on a major expan-sion drive in recent years, which has seenit acquire rival building societies Barns-ley and Chelsea, while it is currentlyawaiting approval for a merger withsimilar-sized Norwich & Peterborough.

The group, which has 2.6m membersand 178 branches, has also been men-tioned as a possible buyer of some or allof Northern Rock, the bailed-out bankput up for sale by the Government.

Yorkshire chief executive Iain Cornishsaid: “We are looking forward to wel-coming Egg’s mortgage and savings cus-tomers to the Yorkshire.

“Continuing to provide them with theoutstanding service, administration andvalue that they have been used to – andwhich is consistent with our ownapproach – will be a priority for us andwe will work closely with Egg to ensurethat customers are kept fully informedthroughout this transfer process.”

Ryanair sounds fuel hike alert

Jobs under threatwith Egg break-up

■ IAIN CORNISH: YorkshireBuilding Society chief executive

DOMINO’S Pizza said it will triple itsmarketing spend over the next sixmonths in a bid to re-ignite flaggingsales.

The company, which operates afranchise-based model with 688 storesin the UK and Ireland, has enjoyedrapid growth in recent years.

But it said like-for-like sales growthslowed to 2.4% in the first half of 2011from 4.2% in the first quarter and13.7% this time last year.

It has stepped up its promotionalactivity with the launch of televisioncommercials using the “It’s what wedo” slogan, while it is to sponsorITV’s Red and Black, a new game

show hosted by Ant and Dec in whichplayers will be able to win £1m on thespin of a wheel.

Profits in the six months to 26 Junerose by 12% to £19m as the companyrelied on its long-term contracts withsuppliers to offset the impact of risingfoodstuff prices.

Total sales rose by 9% to £258.4m,helped by a number of store openingsand the growth of its internet opera-tion, which lifted revenues by 51% to£85m and now account for over 40%of its business.

New products such as the stuffedcrust pizza also did well. The productnow accounts for 15% of total sales.

Domino’s lifts spending

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

Paul Brisk

Peak CareerConsulting

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: joint propri-etorAge: 58Family: Wife Kathywith children Sarah,37, Simon, 34,David, 27, Rachael,26Holidays: Portugaland Canada, whichis almost a secondhome to usCar: Golf GT SportFirst job: Clerk atHalifax BuildingSocietyBest thing aboutjob: Making thepeople we work withfeel good – and get-ting that fantasticphone call to saythey have got thejobWorst thingabout job: Beinglet down by falsepromises when youhave put a lot ofwork in and thingsdon’t happenBusiness tip:Deliver what youpromise

Work: Supportingindividuals andcoaching them in allaspects of jobsearchingSite: FixbyPhone: 01484548957Email: info@peakcareerconsulting.co.ukWebsite:www.peakcareerconsulting.co.uk

Life’speaksandtroughs

AFTER several careerchanges and coping withredundancy, Paul Brisk iswell-placed to help otherstrying to get back into thejobs market.

When Paul founded jobsearch services firm PeakCareer Consulting in 2004,he was able to draw onpersonal experience.

Now he is helping peopleof all ages make a goodimpression with potentialemployers through mentoringand support with CVs andinterview techniques.

Says Paul: “I left schoolwith very few academicqualifications – four O-levels– and I had no clue what todo.

“My father opened theevening paper and said tome: ‘There’s a job here at theHalifax Building Society, Whatdo you think?’ I went for it andgot it.

“I started as a junior in thedays when that really meantbeing the tea boy, but it wasfun.

“The juniors used to getteased.I was sent outdelivering calendars to ourcontacts and I was told to geta ‘long stand’ from the postoffice.

“I was in a queue for awhile and when I got to thecounter I asked for a longstand. The man behind thecounter said: ‘I thinksomeone’s pulling your leg.’Of course. I didn’t realise I’dalready had the ‘long stand’waiting in line!”

Paul worked at theCommercial Street branch ofthe Halifax in his home city ofLeeds before rising to chiefcashier and then chief clerk.

He became one of threeassistant manager at theSheffield branch beforegetting the chance to beassistant district managerbased in Norwich, where hespent six years.

From there, he becamebranch manager inLetchforth, near Stevenageand Welling Garden City.

Eventually, Paul came backto the Halifax head office tojoin the society’s lendingoperations.

“It was a time of highrepossessions and I wasdealing with mortgageindemnity claims,” he recalls.

“The repossessions werehandled by specialist propertyunits.

“I was asked to run one ofthe units for the north ofEngland and Scotland.

“We had professionalvaluers, administration staffand it was so successful, theystarted to close andamalgamate them.

“I was asked to join thesenior team at the society’sbusiness centre in Leeds – somy career had come fullcircle geographicallyspeaking to its staring point.

“We were also using thelatest technology at the time,which was pioneered inLeeds and went across thecountry.

“In 2000, I woke up onemorning and contemplatedthe drive to work from Fixbyto Leeds and thought: ‘I don’twant to do this any more’.

“I took the plunge, left thebuilding society – and wenton a rollercoaster ride. I hadnever been unemployed

before – what do I do?“I was introduced to a firm

of consultants in Leeds andthey ran a two-day workshopon all the latest techniques offinding a job. I’d never writtena CV in my life!”

Paul also relied onold-fashioned networking tosecure employment. “I had afew solicitor contacts and Itold them I’d left the Halifaxand did they know of anyopportunities?”

He landed a role ascustomer relations director atHammonds Direct, a majorconveyancing business,which again brought him intocontact with the latesttechnology.

In another flash ofinspiration – while drivinghome – Paul decided to go toCanada for six months.

“I had always had apassion for Canada,” he says.“It coincided with meetingKathy, my wife-to-be. Shehanded in her notice and wewent out.

“That was really the start ofPeak Career Consulting. Wewere trying to find a namewith ‘P’ and ‘K’ for Paul andKathy – and we were staringat the mountains in Canada –so ‘Peak’ seemed a good

choice.“We came back to

Huddersfield and startedworking out how we weregoing to do things.

“We realised there were alot of people coming out oflong-term employment overthe age of 50 who wantedone-to-one help in finding anew job.

“We knew a lot of people,so we wrote letters and sende-mails.

”We appeared in YellowPages and set up a website.We joined the chamber ofcommerce, attendednetworking events and fromthat grew a link to LeedsUniversity and theiremployability projects.

“We also did some workwith the Kirklees BusinessBroker.

“We provide people agedover 50 with advice aboutjob-seeking, creating a goodfirst impression, interviewtechniques and CVs.

“But it is equally difficult foryoung people to get onto thecareer ladder.

“We are asked for adviceby parents with sons anddaughters who need help.

“We have met someinteresting people – from agraduate in chemicalengineering to a Romanianactress! Often, they arepeople with all the rightqualifications, but lacking inconfidence.

“When it comes to advice,people want to sit down andtalk to someone. We go out tosee clients in their own homewhere they are relaxed and ata time to suit them.

“I have done moreinterviews at the kitchen tableover a cup of tea than I havein the office!

“We can help them puttogether a CV which willimprove their ownself-esteem and confidence.“

Says Paul: “People don’talways think they haveachieved much, but what theyhave achieved may be veryimportant to a potential

and the team I played withwon a few things. I’ve alsoplayed at Dewsbury Golf Cluband after a bit of a break fromthe sport I’m getting back intoit.

“Kathy and I enjoy holidays.We have a passion forPortugal, which stems frommy golfing in the Algarve.

“Holidays are becomingmore important than ever. It isthe only time I have theopportunity to read forpleasure. Last time, I readKate McCann’s book andChris Evans’ autobiography.

“I enjoy readingautobiographies of peoplelike Chris Evans, FrankieDettori and Sting, people whohave often come from a poorbackground and beensuccessful.

“Some of the things theyhave said about achievingtheir goals, I haveincorporated in my work.

“You need the breaks, butyou also need to make thingshappen for yourself. Nothingwas given to them, they hadto earn it.”

■ PAUL BRISK: Takes greatsatisfaction from helping

employer.“A CV should highlight

someone’s skills andabilities, what they haveachieved in school andtheir work experience. ACV has to stand out andgenerate interest.”

Says Paul: “From almostnothing – and wonderinghow it would develop –Peak Career Consultinghas becomewell-established.

“I take great satisfactionin helping people – workingwith both older andyounger people.

“The best thing is whenthe client phones and tellsyou they have landed thatinterview – and then thatthey have got the job.

“I helped a guy eightmonths ago who hadworked for a familybusiness for 40 yearswhen it went bust.

“He phoned up andexplained that he knew hisindustry inside out, buthe’d got nothing on paper.Within three weeks afterour help, he had got a job.”

Paul recognises thevalue of experience.

“People are coming outof university with degrees,but no experience of life orthe workplace,” he says.“We have fivegrandchildren andthe oldest is 16. Weare encouragingthem as they growup to get involved inas many things asthey can that interestthem. I am a greatbeliever in that.”

Paul finds time forrelaxation.

“Since leavingschool, I have playeda lot of golf and it isstill my mainpassion,” he says, “Iwas a member ofWillow Valley GolfClub, which was a lotof fun.

“There are a lot oflocal competitions

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Employers’ footnotesWILBY Risk Management

consultants have a num-ber of clients who operateengineering or vehicle serviceand repair workshops and assuch are often asked similarquestions regarding safetyfootwear.

Some employees have a reluct-ance to wear footwear with toeprotection and some employersare reluctant to pay for it. It is wellworth clarifying the legal positionwith the following points:

● All types of personal protect-ive equipment, including safetyfootwear, gloves, eye protection,hearing protection, cold and wetweather clothing are covered bythe Personal Protective Equip-ment at Work Regulations 1992

● The employer should assessrisks to employees, visitors, mem-bers of the public in all areas of theworkplace, including the work-shop

● The employer should assesswhich risks have not beenadequately controlled by othermeans and where items of personalprotective equipment are neces-sary. Such risks could be fromfalling heavy objects or crushinjuries from trolley jacks or fork-lift truck wheels

● Specific items of personalprotective equipment, such assafety shoes with toe protection,should then be identified and thewearing of this PPE by all people

exposed to these risks must beenforced

● The employer must providethese items of PPE free of chargeto employees. It is common prac-tice for employees to “top- up” tobuy better footwear above thebasic version supplied by theemployer, provided the chosenitems still provide adequate pro-tection

● The employer must enforcethe wearing of the PPE by peopleexposed to the uncontrolled risks.We recommend regular, recordedchecks in the workplace by super-visors.

● The employer must train,inform and instruct employees onwhy the PPE is required, how itshould be worn and maintainedand what to do if defects are noted.We recommend this basic trainingis given at induction and repeatedperiodically and that records arekept. The PPE requirement couldbe included in workplace rules

● Employees must use the PPE

as instructed and report defects.While these points focus on

safety footwear, they hold true forall types of personal protectiveequipment.

We frequently hear: “How is itwe have never been told thisbefore?” “The insurers neverrequired it!” “We have passedaudits before without this rule!”As in all things, the answer you getdepends on the question asked.Insurance surveys do not coverevery workplace issue. Some work-place audits have a limited healthand safety content and to pass theaudit does not imply full legalcompliance.

Wilby Risk Management cancarry out detailed audits to checklevels of conformance to legalrequirements and best practicestandards. Relying on other sur-veys or audits can lead to a falsesense of security and leave anemployer open to prosecution orcompensation claims in the eventof an accident.

RISKYBUSINESSMark Dalton

Mark Dalton is associate director at Wilby Ltd

Secure parking isgiven green light

Bright idea forpack leadersLAW firm Chadwick Lawrence hascemented its relationship withHuddersfield-based IT agentBrighter Connections – to providecontinual legal services in the forof its Employment Support Pack.Paddock-based BrighterConnections and ChadwickLawrence’s CLi team have forgedclose links in recent months andsuccessfully ran a series of threeseminars at Chadwick Lawrence’Wakefield office.The CLi team, which specialises inintellectual property andinformation technology, joinedforces with Brighter Connectionsto deliver seminars covering thesecurity risks that IT poses tobusiness and how to mitigatethem.The seminars were very wellreceived by the businesscommunity leading bothcompanies to commit to arrangingfurther events in the near future.Brighter Connections’ signing ofan ESP contract with ChadwickLawrence – which has offices atRailway Street in Huddersfield –now means that the law firm willlook after all employment lawprovisions for the IT company.ESP provides access toexperienced employment lawyerwho are up to date with the latestlegislation and can ensure thatclients are fully compliant withoften complex legal requirementsDarren Stringer, of BrighterConnections, said: “Ourrelationship with ChadwickLawrence has been growing forsome time and after our successfulseminar programme it was anatural step to turn to the law firfor employment support.”Nicholas Worsnop, of ChadwickLawrence’s CLi team, said: We’redelighted to welcome BrighterConnections to our ESP client list.The ESP concept is growingthroughout the region as more andmore employers recognise thebenefits of having expert supporon employment law.”

■ LINK-UP: Darren Stringer (left), ofBrighter Connections, with NicholasWorsnop (centre) and John Barker, ofChadwick Lawrence

■ SAFE SPOT: Campaigners have won theirargument for more dedicated truck stops to helptackle crime against hauliers and their vehicles

CAMPAIGNERS have won the argument for ded-icated truck stops on major motorways – afterhighlighting the cost of freight crime to the York-shire economy.

Transport Minister Mike Penning has confirmedUK Government plans to permit secure parking –reducing the risk of lorries and their loads beingstolen.

The move comes after figures compiled by thepolice showed that goods and vehicles worth morethan £624,000 have been stolen across Yorkshireduring a six-month period.

Twelve incidents – or 6% of the total – were inHuddersfield while Doncaster, Pontefract, Leedsand Sheffield were also crime hotspots.

Incidents include the theft in April of two articu-lated lorries from a Slaithwaite industrial estate.

By law, lorry drivers must rest afterfour-and-a-half hours of driving – yet campaignerssay safe, secure parking areas are lacking. This leadsto drivers putting themselves and their loads at riskby parking in lay-bys or unguarded industrialestates.

Figures from regional development agency York-shire Forward showed that the region has 6,900logistics businesses employing 91,000 people and

contributing £4.2bn to the regional economy.The government’s decision was welcomed by

North Sea Freight Intelligent Transport Solutions,a group which sends “live” information to driversvia mobile phones and tablets.

Truck drivers without GPS-enabled in-vehicledevices or smartphones will be able to access theinformation through TV screens at dedicated truckstops.

There are such stops across Yorkshire and Hum-ber.

Information will include secure parking loca-tions, crime hotspots, foreign laws, route planningin the event of accidents and traffic congestion,weather alerts and border control documentrequirements. Desktop software is also beingdeveloped for transport operators.

The NS FRITS project is led by Sheffield-basedcharity People United Against Crime, which alsoheads the Logistics Security Network.

LSN research found that just under 50% offreight drivers have been a victim of crime whileparked in insecure locations in the UK.

David Ransom, chief executive at Sheffield-basedPeople United Against Crime, said; “We aredelighted with Mike Penning’s announcement.

“The development of truck stops on the motor-way network will help to tackle the important issueof safe parking.”

The NS FRITS technology is now being testedand the project will be completed by the end of theyear. Trials of NS FRITS screens at truck stops willbegin later this year.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Simon Kaye is divisional director at Investec Wealth &Investment

CITYTALKSimon Kaye

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Contest deadlineKIRKLEES firms have just days to enterthe prestigious EEF FutureManufacturing Awards. The freecompetition is open to firms of all sizes,but manufacturers have only untilSunday to make their submission. Go towww.eef.org.uk/awards

Cummins chief to speak outA MAJOR internationalbusiness figure is the latestspeaker to be announced forthis year’s Women’s BusinessForum.

Tim Solso, chairman andchief executive of Cummins Inc,will address delegates at theevent, which has beenorganised by Holmfirth-basedbusinesswoman HeatherJackson and which takes placeon Thursday at Rudding Park inHarrogate.

Mr Solso has more than 40years service with Cummins –at one stage, working inHuddersfield withTurnbridge-based subsidiaryCummins Turbo Technologies.

Cummins Inc, which has itsheadquarters in Indiana, USA,designs, produces and sellsdiesel engines, powergeneration equipment andrelated components.

Mr Solso, who retires at theend of the year, will deliver aspeech on the need to addressbias and promote transparency.

Mr Solso was recentlyappointed to President BarackObama’s management advisoryboard to provide advice on howto implement best businesspractices on matters related toFederal Governmentmanagement and operations.

At the Harrogate event, hewill address an audience of 650of the current and futuregeneration of senior businessmen and women from the UK,Europe and the USA.

The event, titled It’s Time toMake a Difference, will makethe statement that time hascome to stop talking about whythere are so few women at thetop of corporate Britain – anddo something practical toensure that the most is made offemale talent in the workplace.

Other speakers at thehigh-profile event will includeChris Sullivan, chief executiveof RBS UK Corporate Banking;Allan Leighton, non-executivechairman of Pace plc; CarlaStent, chief operating officer at

Virgin Management; and KirstyBashforth, head oforganisational effectiveness atBP plc

The event is open to thecurrent and next generation ofbusinesswomen and men insenior executive andmanagement positions.

Ms Jackson, founder anddirector of the Women’sBusiness Forum, said: “I’mabsolutely delighted that Timhas agreed to speak at thisyear’s Forum.

“He is one of the mostrespected business figures inthe USA and his record withCummins is phenomenal.

“He is incredibly passionateabout gender equality and Ican’t wait to hear what he hasto say.

“His presence shows that TheWomen’s Business Forum isnow a truly global event.”

For more details visitwww.thewomensbusinessforum.co.uk

■ KEY SPEAKER: Tim Solso,chairman of Cummins Inc

Searching for alittle sunshine!WITH a seemingly unre-

mitting diet of bad newsover the past three months,it is remarkable how resilientshare prices have been.

Nevertheless, poor monthlyjob creation data reported inAmerica on Friday have sent ashiver down investors’ spines,with concerns rising that theupcoming US corporate earningsseason may see the underminingof this key plank in the positivestory for risk assets.

We would not be surprised tosee a larger number of earningsshortfalls than in the firstquarter.

In fact, given the challengesfaced, including a spike in oilprices and supply chain disrup-tions caused by the Japanesetsunami, it would be remarkableif we did not.

It is also likely that many man-agement teams will express cau-tion about the clarity of theoutlook for the rest of the year.

This is only prudent given thehigh level of political uncertaintyintroduced to businesses, both bythe European leadership in fail-ing to find a convincing adminis-trative solution to the eurozonesovereign debt crisis and also bythe American Congress in hold-

ing the financial system toransom for political gain byrefusing to raise the US debtceiling in a timely manner.

Stock markets may initiallyhave difficulty with this trend,since they have become accus-tomed to being positively sur-prised.

However, we would not expecta correction to turn into a routfor the following reasons.

Firstly, we see these results asreflecting the past.

As the summer comes to anend, we expect America’s recov-ery to regain momentum.

The effects of higher energyprices and Japanese supply chaindisruptions have now largelyworked through the system.

In the absence of furthershocks from these sources orfrom political ineptitude inEurope or America, the well-cap-

italised corporate sector that isgenerating record profits andprofitability should see riskappetites return.

There was strong evidence inthe first quarter of significantcapital expenditure increases –leading to employment growth (aresumption of a “self sustaining”economic growth cycle).

This link looks to haveweakened in the second quarterdue to the aforementioned tem-porary factors, but we do notthink American corporationswill have been scared back into adefensive mind set and expect tosee better trends soon, with pred-atory M&A (in itself a stimulusto take risk for the tardy) a likelyfeature.

Secondly, the prospect of addi-tional help from the Far East isbecoming a realistic possibility.Japanese demand should become

a positive force in the secondhalf.

Additionally, the monetarytightening cycle in China isbeginning to bite.

Although inflation is at about6%, a fall in the indicators forindustrial demand, a weakeningin commodity prices and signsthat speculative real estate pricesare coming off the boil suggestthat the tightening cycle maysoon be over – removing the fearof a hard landing.

Finally, equity valuations arevery attractive relative torisk-free assets.

Obviously, this assertiondepends partly upon the leveland rate of growth of earnings,but the point is that whilst correc-tions are not uncommon, bearmarkets usually start from moreelevated valuation levels.

The exception is when they arehit by an unexpected shock.

Could the eurozone providesuch a shock?

It could, but for now it looks asif it will be successful in deferringany day of reckoning – whichshould allow time for some sun-shine to peek thorough theclouds of gloom.

The value of your investments may go down as well as upand you might not get back the money you’ve put in.

Individuals • International • Charities • Financial AdvisersCourt of ProtectionMember firm of the London Stock Exchange. Member of NYSE Liffe.Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. InvestecWealth & Investment Limited is registered in England. Registered No.2122340. Registered Office: 2 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QP.

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

Historic hall getsnew lease of life

39 step up tochartered statusTHIRTY-NINE surveyors in Yorkshireand Humber are celebrating thismonth – having achieved the highlyregarded “chartered” status with theRoyal Institution of CharteredSurveyors.All have successfully completed theRICS’ Assessment of ProfessionalCompetence, a tough two tothree-year period of structuredtraining, which includes practicalexperience and exams that lead tofull membership.David Varley, RICS regional trainingadviser for Yorkshire, said: “The APCtraining and exams are extremelytough and really do challenge youngproperty professionals to ensurethey have what it takes to carry theprestigious letters MRICS after theirname.“This ultimately means they haveachieved the world’s leadingqualification when it comes to land,property and construction.”Having gained chartered status, thenew professionals, who will havealready completed a property-relateddegree or equivalent, can take thenext steps in their career.The term chartered surveyor coversa wide range of job types, includingresidential valuers, commercialproperty agents, building surveyorsand quantity surveyors.The RICS recognises 17 differentprofessional groups and more than200 different types of surveyor. Workcan be as varied as running a ruralestate or valuing a home, to projectmanaging on a complexdevelopment like the OlympicStadium.More than 965 hopefuls were enteredfor the most recent RICS APC in theUK, with 645 being successful.That’s a 66% average pass ratearound the country. The rate inYorkshire and Humberside was 60%.

Society still well to the foreYORKSHIRE Building Societyhas welcomed latest figureswhich highlight mortgage“best buy” results – and showthat the mutual is well aheadof its competitors.

Figures from Presswatchshow that the society received164 best buy mentions for itsmortgage products duringJune against 95 for closestcompetitor, First Direct

Designs on new a partnershipAN award-winning firm of architectshave designs on helping HuddersfieldTown.

One 17 Design, based at ArmitageBridge, is the latest business to signon as official club partner for theforthcoming season.

The company was one of morethan 40 firms and fans to donate tothe Play-Off Final ticket initiative – apioneering scheme created by Townchairman Dean Hoyle, which raisedmore than £25,000 and allowed 800school children to attend the Play-OffFinal at Old Trafford.

This season, the One 17 Designbrand will feature prominently aroundthe Galpharm Stadium.

The firm has also bought aperimeter board which will be onshow throughout the 2011/12 League1 season.

One17 deal in all aspects of designwork, from architecture and projectmanagement, to structural andinterior design and graphiccommunication.

The firm has been in practice inHuddersfield since 1960 and two ofits three partners are natives of thetown.

Town’s Sean Jarvis and MarkJacobs are pictured (left to right) withOne 17 Design partners Kevin

Drayton, Mark Lee and StuartBeaumont.

Town commercial director SeanJarvis said: “One 17 Design isrecognised as an award-winningarchitect company and likeHuddersfield Town is striving to bemarket leaders within their industry.

“They are a successfulHuddersfield-based company whohave shown a desire over the last

year to be actively involved with theclub. I am delighted that they havechosen to join our ‘family’ andbecome an official partner of theclub.”

One 17 Design director Mark Leesaid: ““We are all very excited aboutthe partnership; it brings togetherone of Yorkshire’s top football clubswith Yorkshire’s top architects anddesigners.”

■ PLANNING BRIEF: Town's Sean Jarvis (right) and Mark Jacobs (left) withOne 17 partners (from left) Kevin Drayton, Mark Lee and Stuart Beaumont

AN historic landmark has been given a newlease of life.

The Temperance Hall in Brooke Street,Cleckheaton, has been partly unoccupied formore than four years.

During a chequered history, the building hasbeen a snooker hall, a social centre and morerecently used as commercial premises.

On Yorkshire Day – August 1 – it willbecome home to expanding companyHowarths Employment Law, which has takenover the entire building and completed anextensive refurbishment and internal modern-isation.

The company provides human resources andemployment law advice to businesses of allsizes throughout the UK, but in particular tothe Huddersfield and Kirklees area.

Howarths is led by husband and wife Andyand Helen Howarth, who set up the businessfrom their home in Cleckheaton in 2003.

It now employs 12 staff, including thecouple’s eldest son Gavin, who qualified as asolicitor with an international law firm, butsaw the benefits of joining the family busi-ness.

Howarths’ need to expand drew the firm tothe premises in Brooke Street, which providesroom for further growth as well as easy accessto the M62 motorway. It also means thecompany can stay loyal to its roots – despitehaving a national client base.

Managing director Andy Howarth said: “Iwas born and bred in Leeds, but worked formany years in Huddersfield and Cleckheatonin my former life as a police officer and I amvery proud of our connections to many busi-nesses in Huddersfield and Kirklees.

“I have always maintained that staying localis not only vital to the economy, but gives ourown business a sense of belonging to a thrivingKirklees business community.”

Despite research on the internet, the firm hasbeen unable to unearth much of the history ofthe building – and is asking for help from local

people.Said Mr Howarth: “We would really like to

know a bit more about the building and itspast. I am told by my brother-in-law, who wasborn and raised on Brooke Street, that it oncewas a place for social gatherings. He recallshaving his eighth birthday party there.”

■ SITE MEETING: Pictured at the former Temperance Hall – now the firm’s new offices – are(from left) Gavin Howarth, Tracey Hopkins, Helen Howarth, Andy Howarth

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Dominic Cooney

Eastwood &PartnersELLAND-BASEDindependent financialadvisers Eastwood &Partners (FinancialServices) Ltd hasappointed DominicCooney as senioradviser.

Mr Cooney(pictured) is achartered financialplanner with 22 years experienceadvising individual and corporateclients. He joined Eastwood &Partners from Yorkshire InvestmentGroup, where he was retirementservices director.

He said: “I am looking forward toworking with my new colleagues andsharing my knowledge and experienceto help further develop the business.”

Managing director Andy McCrackensaid: “I am delighted that Dominic hasjoined us. His professional approachwill definitely strengthen our business,both internally and with clients, andhelp us to continue to improve therange and quality of our services.”

Natalie Sykes

Institute ofDirectorsTHE Institute ofDirectors inYorkshire hasappointed NatalieSykes to chair itsYoung DirectorsForum,succeedingKenton Robbinswho has becomeregional director.

Ms Sykes (pictured), who beganher first business aged 17, ismanaging director of Profile Seven,board director for Groundwork UKand has interests in other companiesranging from health and nutrition tocarbon fibre manufacturing.

She joined the North Yorkshirebranch and has been involved in theIoD’s Young Directors Forum for thepast three years.

David’s latestassignment!COMPANY boss DavidElliott is a real diamondgeezer!

The owner andfounder ofShepley-based campervan conversionspecialist WellhouseLeisure is alreadyundertaking amuscle-cramping 12marathons in just sixmonths – in a bid to raise at least £20,000 forchildren’s charity Dreams Come True.

Now he has organised a charity ball on a JamesBond theme to swell the charity coffers further.

The Diamonds are Forever event, which will takeplace on September 30 at Bagden Hall, Scissett, willinclude a charity auction for lots including a tour ofthe Aston Martin factory in Gaydon, Warwickshire,boxing training sessions, a trip to the Bentley worksat Crewe and a two-week stay in New Zealand.

A clutch of Aston Martin cars will greet guestsarriving at the venue while speakers will includelocal businessman Jonathan Hick, a star of Channel4’s Secret Millionaire. Entertainment will be providedby Ian Donaghy, who will also compere the eventand act as auctioneer.

David will be ready for a rest by the end of theevening. By the time of the charity ball he will havealready run eight marathons in locations as far apartas Edinburgh, Belfast, London, Cornwall,Northumberland and the South Downs. Before theend of the year he will also have tackled marathonsin Mablethorpe, Chester – and Japan.

David was bitten by the running bug when he tookpart in the 2007 London Marathon and raised£4,000 in aid of Wellchild. He ran again in 2008when he netted £2,500 for the Sheffield Children’sHospital and in 2010 when a pledge to matchsponsorship ended up costing him £3,000 of his ownmoney!

Dreams Come True is a charity providing specialtreats for terminally ill and seriously ill children.

For details of the charity ball, contact WellhouseLeisure Ltd, Unit B, Sovereign Business Park,Barnsley Road, Shepley, Huddersfield HD8 8BL. Todonate online go tohttp://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Astonchap

Farewell to textile trade

A TEXTILE industry stalwart hasretired.

Neil Gledhill has completed a40-year career in the industry byretiring as operations director atHolmfirth-based Westwood Yarns.

Mr Gledhill (front, right) waspresented with the gift of an iPad bymanaging director Trevor Chippendale(left) at a presentation ceremony

attended by colleagues and friends.Mr Gledhill joined the firm at

Washpit Mills in September, 1990, andbecame a director the following year.He has been involved in the dyeingand textile spinning sectors for mostof his career, working for six differentcompanies in that time.

Paying tribute to Mr Gledhill, MrChippendale said: “He will be sadlymissed by all at the company.”

Ajaz backs legalwebsite launch

FREESERVE founder Ajaz Ahmed is backing anew online legal service.

Deregulation due to take effect later this yearwill enable non-lawyers to compete for a share ofthe £23bn a year UK market for legal services –and many large companies have already indicatedthat they intend to enter the market.

Observers also believe the internet will play amuch larger role in the provision of legal ser-vices.

Now law firm Last Cawthra Feather hasannounced the launch of website LEGAL365.com– and plan to make it a major player in thenew-look legal market.

Huddersfield-based Mr Ahmed commented:“Make no mistake, the internet will change howpeople buy many legal services. The website offersan enormous range of legal documents aimed atboth the consumer and business customer and allfor a fixed price.

“This is the future. People don’t want to pay bythe hour; they want to be able to use the internet

for some of their legal needs at a time that suitsthem 24 hours a day.”

The website contains many useful documentsfor everything from disputing a parking ticket tocreating a will, getting divorced or chasing cus-tomer debt. Some of the documents are completelyfree and the site is easy to use.

Mr Ahmed added; “All our research shows thatcustomers don’t like paying for legal services by thehour, the lack of transparency, the time it takes toget anything done and the poor customer experi-ence that some law firms provide.

“Our new store is going to change the way legalservices are delivered; we are going to offer a fixedprice, prompt and responsive service with friendlystaff and a great customer experience.”

He said the legal industry had been “an oldprotected industry that has had little incentive tochange”.

Said Mr Ahmed: “Many lawyers are going tofind it difficult to adapt and change to a newcustomer focused world.”■ ONLINE: Ajaz Ahmed

Toby Lousada

Buy it DirectA FORMERdirector of Comethas joined onlineretailer Buy itDirect.

Toby Lousada(pictured) wasuntil recentlyservices directorat Comet GroupPlc and has held other seniorpositions, including roles inoperations, commercial andcustomer service.

Buy It Direct, based at TridentBusiness Park, Deighton, is a£100m-turnover online retailer oflaptops, televisions, kitchenappliances and baby products.

Employees provide charity boostTWO employees at Cleckheatonaccountancy firm Clough & Companyhave raised £1,500 for two charitiesfollowing a sponsored swim and walk.

Katie Fairbrother, a caseadministrator in the firm’s insolvencydepartment, raised £700 for Help forHeroes by swimming across LakeWindermere. Ann Brown, seniormanager, raised £800 for BreastCancer Research by taking part in theMoonwalk in London.

Said Katie: “It’s the first time I have

done anything like this – but I havefamily in the forces and wanted to raisemoney for Help for Heroes so I decidedto sign up to the ‘Great North Swim.’

Ann was determined to raise moneyfor Breast Cancer Research,explaining: “Both my mother andgrandmother have had breast cancerand I lost my grandmother to thedisease,”

Both Katie and Ann were sponsoredby family, friends, colleagues andclients.