KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees15, June, 2010

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GREG ROBERTSON NEIL WILSONMaking a wise investment

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3Work and the Wor ld Cup

S to r y - Page 4

FTSE 100+38.45

5202.13An EXAMINER publication

PitchperfectBRIGHOUSE tycoonCarl Hopkins is takingpart in Britain’s biggestbusiness pitchingcompetition.Carl, who starred inChannel Four’s SecretMillionaire, is judgingthe northern heat ofThe Pitch – acompetition whichoffers prizes worth£50,000 to thecountry’s bestentrepreneurial talent.

SweetsuccessBUSINESSWOMAN JoFairley, co-founder ofchocolate brand Green& Black’s, will offer tipsand advice to aspiringentrepreneurs whenBusiness LinkYorkshire stages aseries of events forRetail Week – whichstarts next Tuesday.

Bank sets targets with new customer charterBANKING group Royal Bank ofScotland has launched a customercharter for clients of its RBS andNatWest branches.

The group, which has branchesunder the NatWest and RBS namesacross Kirklees, said the charter set out“the things that really matter to cus-tomers and what they have a right toexpect from the bank”.

RBS said the views of more than

30,000 customers were condensed intothe 14-point charter. The progressmade against each promise will bemonitored by customers each year andthe results made transparent in anindependent audit by Deloitte andpublished every six months.

Highlights include early morningand late night opening in 200 branchesby the end of the year; serving themajority of customers queuing in

branches within five minutes; and apledge to stay open for business ifRBS/ NatWest is the last bank in townand consider a range of options toensure a local banking service is avail-able.

The bank has also shared the charterwith consumer organisations includ-ing the Citizens Advice Bureau, Con-sumer Focus and Money AdviceTrust.

Brian Hartzer, bank chief executive,said: “We had a searing experience as abusiness and are thankful we wererescued. We have since taken stock onhow we do things. There’s a lot we dowell for customers, but we can do moreand we want to change. This won’thappen overnight, but the customercharter is our pledge that we are on thecase and will be held to accountagainst the progress we make.”

Firm blazes a trailto the Middle EastKIRKLEES companies are beingurged to emulate a Huddersfield firm– and pursue multi-billion poundtrade opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Specialist coatings company Ther-milate Europe Ltd, led by managingdirector Ash Ashfaq, has establisheda strong presence in the region – withoffices in Dubai serving Middle Eastlocations including Bahrain, Oman,Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The company, based at the MediaCentre, Northumberland Street,provides insulating paints, primersand other coatings for energy-savingand heat control in homes, industrialand commercial buildings. Clientshave included Coca Cola, Honda,Vodafone and IKEA.

Thermilate also has a distributionnetwork across 20 European coun-tries as well as exporting to countriesincluding Australia, India, Pakistanand South Africa.

Now the company is being high-lighted as an example for other to

follow as the government’s exportsupport arm drums up interest in themassive Saudi Arabian market.

UK Trade & Investment said pro-jects to build six new cities, more than4,400 new schools, five airports andthousands of mils of rail track presen-ted major opportunities for infra-structure firms across Yorkshire.

Saudi Arabia has the largest con-struction market in the Middle East –and one of the fastest-growing in theworld.

Mark Robson, international tradedirector for UKTI in Yorkshire, said:“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia con-trols a quarter of the world’s oil andgas reserves and is a country thatthinks big.

Major projects are matched bymajor investment, which offers hugeopportunities for UK firms.

“Whether it is building infrastruc-ture to help pilgrims in the Hajj ornew cities to help diversify the eco-nomy and provide jobs for the grow-

ing population, the rate and pace ofdevelopment in Saudi Arabia isastounding.”

Mr Robson said Thermilate wasone of several Yorkshire companiesmaking progress in the region.

Others include Elland-based secur-ity glass supplier C3S Securiglass,Leeds specialist lighting firm CCSNeon, Bradford construct ionproducts firm Lindapter and Brad-ford-based Fox Builders.

Said Mr Robson: “The UK has anexcellent track record of managingmajor infrastructure projects andexperience in designing and managingthe type of logistical projects that willbe integral to the future economicsuccess of the kingdom.”

A UKTI report, Building SaudiArabia, highlighted opportunities forfirms in helping to provide housing,shops and universities, schools, waterand power plants, railways, airportsand seaports.

■ SAUDI SALES: Ash Ashfaq,managing director of specialistcoatings firm Thermilate Europe Ltd

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

Local shares

FTSE closed at

5202.1Up 38.4

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.62 dollarsBangladesh................... 95.78 takaBrazil.............................. 2.37 realsCanada....................... 1.44 dollarsChina ............................. 8.94 yuanCzech Republic ...... 28.45 korunasDenmark....................... 8.51 kroneEuro............................... 1.15 euroHong Kong................ 10.83 dollarsHungary ................... 301.71 forintsIndia.......................... 60.11 rupeesJapan........................... 127.93 yenMexico ....................... 16.47 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.97 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.97 kronePakistan.................. 117.62 rupeesPhilippines ................. 58.46 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.46 randSouth Korea.............. 1559.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 157.00 rupeesSweden....................... 10.97 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.59 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.23 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.19 new liraUSA ............................ 1.40 dollars

Carclo 1601/2Chapelthorpe 231/2Marshalls 89 +3National Grid 507 +8RensburgSheppards

794 +4

Weir Gp 1066 +1151/2

United seals sell-off dealENERGY giant United Utilities hasoffloaded more of its non-regulatedinterests by agreeing a £174.2m dealwith Veolia Water UK.

The deal by Warrington-basedUnited, which is the UK’s argest listedwater company, involves outsourcing,industrial engineering and infrastruc-ture contracts, including a project tomanage the building of a new wastewater treatment works for SouthernWater.

United has also acquired minoritystakes in three PFI contracts in theTay, Moray and Highland wastewatertreatment plants in Scotland.

French-based Veolia Water said it

will become the “leading player” inthe non-regulated water sector in theUK following the acquisition.

The company, which specialises inoutsourcing services for local author-ities, is paying £108.6m for the busi-nesses and assuming debt of £65.6m.

Operations in Bulgaria, Estoniaand Poland are also included in thedeal.

United’s recent strategy of sellingoff non-core business has already ledto the dispose of its Australian subsi-diary for £136m following lastNovember’s exit from Yorkshire gasdistributor Northern Gas Networksfor £86m.

BP shares hit amidtalks over dividend

Majestic cheers 26% profits riseMAJESTIC Wines toasted its newsix-bottle six-bottle minimum pur-chase policy after a 13% rise incustomer numbers boosted annualprofits.

The wine retailer, which has astore at Queensgate in Hudders-field, said the decision to halve theprevious 12-bottle minimum lastautumn had led to a “substantial”increase in customers – up 54,000 to472,000 in the year to March 29.

Majestic reported a 26% rise inunderlying pre-tax profits to £16mduring the year.

Chief executive Steve Lewis said itwould be a “tough ask” to continuecustomer growth at the current rate,

but said: “The trend since Christmashas been consistent.”

Despite the move to a six-bottleminimum, the average spend percustomer has only edged 4% lowerto £129.

Like-for-like sales were up by 7.3%in the 10 weeks since March 30 andthe group is confident of furthergrowth despite “uncertain” eco-nomic prospects in the UK.

The retailer added that sales ofwine priced at £20 or more hadjumped nearly 23% in the past year.

The company aims to roll out finewine display areas across all its 153stores over the next two years andopend 12 new stores this year.

Takeoverfor WeirENGINEERING groupWeir has announced the£138m takeover of aMalaysian firm.

The Glasgow-basedgroup, which has valveoperations at Elland, hasagreed to buy Linatex, aKuala Lumpur-basedcompany makingequipment for the miningand quarrying industries.

The announcementcame as Weir reported a25% rise in new ordersfor the 22 weeks to June4. The group is nowforecasting profits of£140m for the half-yearto July 2.

AXA bidexpectedTHE insurance tycoonwho last year boughtFriends Provident is tooffer £2.8bn for AXA’s UKlife and pensionsbusiness, it is claimed.

Clive Cowdery’sinsurance ’s insurancebuy-out vehicleResolution hopes tocreate one of the UK’slargest protection andgroup pensionsbusinesses through theAxa deal.

The companyconfirmed last week thatit was in talks with Axa,but did not providedetails on the cost orfunding arrangements forany deal.

Newspaper reportssaid Resolution plannedto sound out its investorsabout their appetite forsupporting a rights issue.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £27.28 +0.12Gannett 1098.48 +12.86Hess Corp £36.85 +0.67Microsoft 1746.88 +10.16Motors Liquidation 50.76Wal-Mart Stores £34.74 +0.32

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 1121/2 +71/2BAE Systems 323 +13/4Rolls-Royce Gp 601 +81/2VT Group 7631/2 -11/2

AIMBrady Plc 59Dawson Intl 21/8

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 1301/8 +41/8

BANKSBarclays 3013/8 +101/2HSBC 6511/4 +41/2Lloyds Banking Gp 547/8 +5/8Ryl Scotland 431/8 +3/4Stan Chart 16411/2 +26

BEVERAGESDiageo 1119 +15SABMiller 1982 +52

CHEMICALSCroda 1035Elementis 98 67 +11/2Johnsn Mat 1541 +33

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 257 +27/8Costain 196 -21/2

ELECTRICITYDrax Grp 3763/4 +83/4Intl Power 3115/8 +61/4

Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1110 +4

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTChloride 346 -5/8Laird 118 +15/8

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3193/4 +21/8

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1383/8 +21/2Cable & WirelessComm

563/4 +1/4

Cable & WirelessWwide

90 +11/8

Colt Group 1341/4 +17/8KCOM 51 -1Talktalk Telecom 125 +23/8

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2573/4 -4Sainsbury 3193/4 -13/4Tesco 3915/8 -21/2

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1002 +71/2Nth Foods 463/4 +1/4Tate Lyle 4807/8 +75/8Unilever 1926 +28Uniq 12 +1/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 2903/4 +4National Grid 507 +8Pennon Grp 550 +11Severn 1284 +38United Utils 565 +5

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2921/8 +41/4ICAP 4171/4 +6London StockExch 6301/2 +12Man Group 2447/8 -11/2

Provident Financial 8541/2 +41/2Schroders 1352 +25Schroders NV 1080 +20

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 4657/8 +261/2REXAM 3193/4 +41/2Smiths Grp 1105 +38

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 131/2 -1/2Carphone Whse 1901/2 +11/2DSG International 271/4 +1/4Home Retail 2311/2 -21/4Inchcape 2715/8 +83/8Kingfisher 2281/4 +53/4M & S 3441/8 +31/4Mothercare 554 +13Next £213/8 +1/4WH Smith 4333/4 -71/2

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6421/2 +31/2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 811/2 -1/2Barrat Dev 1003/8 +11/4Persimmon 3643/8 -21/4Reckitt Benckiser £323/4 +1/2Taylor Wimpey 29 -1/2

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 7131/2 +251/2I M I 699 +27Man Brnze 471/4

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 265 +121/4

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 1923/8 +31/4Forth Ports 1155 +8

LIFE INSURANCE

Aviva 3441/4 +71/2Lgl & Gen 831/8 +21/8Old Mutual 112 +31/4Prudential 5471/2 +121/2Resolution 601/4Standard Life 1851/8 +31/4

MEDIABSkyB 6001/2 +14Chrysalis 99 -11/2D Mail Tst 481 +8ITV 563/4 +3/4Johnston Press 183/4 -1/4Pearson 946 +11Reed Elsevier 4963/4 +21/4STV Group 1021/2 +1/2Trinity Mirror 871/4 +3/4Utd Business 5231/2 +61/2UTV 120 +23/4WPP 6901/2 +10Yell Group 287/8 +1/4

MININGAnglo American £263/4 +1Antofagasta 878 +211/2BHP Billiton 1921 +50Eurasian NaturalRes

1061 +33

Fresnillo 1060 +51Kazakhmys 1183 +49Lonmin 1618 +40Rio Tinto £331/8 +1VEDANTARESOURCES

£227/8 +3/4

Xstrata 1033 +33MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 821 +3Vodafone Group 1417/8 +17/8

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1375 +3RSA Insurance Gp 122 +1/4

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1106 +8BP 3551/2 -361/2Cairn Energy 4271/8 +77/8Norsk Hdro 490Royal Dutch Shell A 17961/2 +41/2Royal Dutch Shell B 1721 +7Total £327/8 +3/4Tullow Oil 1174 +12

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 8381/2 +17Petrofac 1287 +25Wood Group 3215/8 +65/8

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry 7961/2 +101/2PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £305/8Axis-Shield 266 +31/2

GlaxoSmithK XD 31/2Shire 1428 -2

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4591/2 +51/2Captl Shop Cent 3361/4 +43/4DTZ Hldgs 581/2 -2Hamrsn 363 +33/4Land Secs 617 +51/2SEGRO 275 +27/8

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1947 +47Dimension Data 995/8 +13/8Invensys 2811/2 +8Logica 1211/4 -13/4Misys 2641/4 +75/8Sage Group 2421/8 +1/8

SUPPORT SERVICESBunzl 731 +7Capita 800 +51/2Davis ServiceGroup

3673/4 -41/8

De La Rue 968 -2Electrocomp 220 +23/4Experian 6241/2 +21/2G4S 2801/4 +11/8Hays 981/2 +21/8Homeserve £203/8 -1/4Menzies J 345 -71/2Rentokil 1181/4 +11/4Smiths News 112 -1Wolseley 1601 +13

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 293 +35/8Psion 801/2 +1/2Spirent Comms 1111/4 +2

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £217/8 +1/4Imperial Tobacco 1912 +13

LEISURE & HOTELS

Arriva 767 +1/2Brit Airways 2061/8 +7Carnival £265/8 +3/4Compass Grp 565 +2easyJet 4261/8 +81/8Enterprise Inns 1063/4 +11/4FirstGroup 390 +11/2Go-Ahead 1245 +25Greene King 3981/8 +73/4Intercontl Htls 1197 +42Ladbrokes 1391/4 +2Mitchells & Butlers 3131/8 +23/4Natl Express 2333/4 +71/4PartyGaming 2623/4 +53/4Rank Org 119 +3/4Stagecoach Group 1853/8 +33/8TUI Travel 2283/4 +37/8Whitbread 1451 +50

INDEXFTSE 100 5202.13 +38.45

INDEXFTSE 250 9795.41 +132.82

SHARES in oil giant BP took anothertumble as its board considered makinga dividend cut in the wake of the Gulf ofMexico spill.

Shares in the embattled companywere down 10% at one stage yesterday –wiping more than £7bn off the stockvalue of the firm – as nervous investorsheaded for the exit.

They closed more than 9% or 36.45pdown at 355.45p.

The latest setback for BP came amidreports that two US senators havewritten to the firm demanding that itset aside £13.5bn in a special account topay for damages and clean-up costs.

BP did not comment on the letterand said it would not make a statementon dividend payments following theboard meeting.

Meanwhile US president BarackObama embarked on a two-day visit tothe Gulf Coast to view the damagefrom the massive slick and talk to thosehit by the disaster.

BP came under heavy fire from thepresident last week for “nickel anddiming” people who live near the spillwhile planning big dividends forinvestors. But he said yesterday that thecompany had paid 26,500 claimstotalling £42.3m to local businesses.

The company’s latest update said thecost of the spill had reached £1.1bn sofar and its containment cap on theleaking well had collected about127,000 barrels of oil.

But the firm’s shares have nowslumped by almost half since the crisisbegan two months ago when the Deep-

water Horizon rig exploded and sankwith the loss of 11 lives.

The latest tranche of dividend due inJuly is expected to be worth about£1.7bn.

If the firm does decide to suspend thedividend it would hit UK pension fundsand investors in the US, who holdabout 40% of the company’s shares.

Mr Obama has summoned BP’schairman Carl-Henric Svanberg to theWhite House on Wednesday to explainwhat the company is doing to stop theflow of tens of thousands of barrels ofoil and how it will compensate thethousands of people who have lost outas a result.

Meanwhile BP chief executive TonyHayward faces a grilling in Congress onThursday. That meeting threatens tore-ignite transatlantic tensions whichhad eased over the weekend when MrObama assured Prime Minister DavidCameron that he had “no interest inundermining BP’s value”.

■ FUEL GAUGE: BP shares plungedas the company said the cost of the USoil spill has reached £1.1m so far

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

GregRobertson

RobertsonBaxter

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: DirectorAge: 33Family: Married toSadie with childrenJames and HannahHolidays: SpainCar: Audi A5First job: Assist-ant in a toy shop atFeathers’ BradfordBest thingabout job:Achieving a posi-tion of absolutetrust with your clientWorst thingabout job: Bigcompany politicsand red tapeBusiness tip:Create a vision andset of goals whichremain at thecentre of what youdo every day

Work: Financialplanning and wealthmanagementSite: ShelleyEmployees:SevenPhone: 01484601140Email: greg@robertsonbaxter.co.ukWeb www.robertsonbaxter.co.uk

Gregfinds hisfamilyfortune

MONEY matters to financialadviser Greg Robertson.

But the co-founder ofwealth management firmRobertson Baxter knowsthat wealth can’t bemeasured in pounds andpence alone.

Greg began his career atthe Yorkshire Bank in 1993after passing his GCSEs atschool in Shipley.

“I went into banking as asimple clerk – the lowliestrole in the branch,” herecalls.

Four years later, heembarked on a move intopersonal banking andfinance – gainingqualifications in financialadvice,

Greg stayed at theYorkshire Bank as part ofits in-house financialservices until 1999 when hemoved to HSBC inHuddersfield – opening theroute to independentfinancial advice. Latterly, hewas based in Leeds, butcovering Huddersfield andHalifax.

He set up RobertsonBaxter FInancial ServicesLtd three years ago incompany with StephenBaxter, who was working asan IFA in Leeds.

They were backed in theventure by MichaelWoodhead, co-founder ofnational stockbrokers BWDSecurities – now RensburgSheppards – who chairedthe new company, whichspecialises in wealthmanagement for high networth individuals.

Robertson Baxter’sproducts and servicesinclude pension planning,investment, inheritance taxplanning, life assurance,critical illness cover andmortgage protection.

Says Greg: “We wantedto provide a service on amore personal basis thanthe proposition prescribedby the bank or larger IFA.

“We wanted to do thingsbetter and offer a morebespoke service.

“We started from scratch.My wife, Sadie, had justgiven birth to James inFebruary that year and Iresigned from the bank thatsame month.

“Sadie had her ownbusiness, which she wasunable to continue, andSteve had a six-month oldchild at the time as well.

“Having familycircumstances like that, weknew we had to succeed, ifonly for their sakes!”

It was not an easybeginning, says Greg.

“2008 was horrendous interms of the investmentenvironment, but wemanaged to insulate ourclients from the falls.

“During 2009, turnovergrew by 40% during arecession year.

“That is due to the effortswe put in during 2008. Thisyear, we are seeingturnover of 20%.

“In the first three years,we have built up thebusiness.

“We have £50m in fundsunder management and wehave grown to 110 clients.

“We had a target of£100m in funds under

management by the end ofour first 10 years – and weare already halfway there.So, we’ve had to raise ourtarget!

“Next year is going to betougher for the economy, butwe feel pretty confident.

“There is an opportunityfor people to invest inportfolios at the bottom ofthe market, which shouldsee them benefit as themarket gets higher.”

Greg says the businesshas grown steadily and hasbeen deliberately“over-managed” to ensure itdoes not run out of control.

Greg describes the firm’soverall approach as“conservative”.

Robertson Baxter hasalso benefited fromoperating in a climate thathas exposed poor serviceand poor investmentperformance among someother IFAs and financialinstitutions.

The company has been

feted in the FT Advisor“mystery shopping” surveyand has come out well in theFinancial ServicesAuthority’s TreatingCustomers Fairlyassessment.

“When someone is talkingabout a financial servicesfirm in a positive way, itstands out a mile at themoment,” says Greg.

Robertson Baxter is alsoup to speed with the FSA’sdrive to raise standardsacross the financial servicessector.

“We are well-positioned interms of what the FSA istrying to get firms to do,”says Greg.

“We employ a charteredfinancial planner as part ofthe business to handledocumentation and reportwriting.

“We exceed the minimumrequirements for our industry.We try to do things well andproperly.”

Greg is firmly behind theFSA’s aims. “People tend notto change advisers – evenwhen they are not getting thebest advice or service. It is abig decision to move.

“But as young people anda young business peoplelook to us knowing we aregoing to be there to helptheir financial plans come tofruition.”

Greg says it is vital toknow your clients andunderstand theirrequirements – and torecognise their “tolerance torisk”.

One of the most satisfyingfeelings is knowing when youare on the same wavelengthas the client, he says. “It’sdifficult to describe – but it’sa sort of synergy.”

Adds Greg: “Now we arefirmly established, we seepeople come to us throughrecommendation andthrough close workingrelationships with other

professionals, such as lawfirms, we can reciprocatewhen they recommend usto their clients.”

For example, RobertsonBaxter has created a jointventure with Walker andSutcliffe to provide clientsof the Huddersfieldchartered accountancy firmwith additional services.

Greg says RobertsonBaxter is growing throughsuch joint ventures orstrategic partnerships toextend its reach beyondHuddersfield to areas likeHalifax, Wakefield andBarnsley.

“Steve and I are trying togrow the business in sucha way that we can stillspend time with ourfamilies, especially whilethe children are still small.That is really important tous, although it becomesincreasingly difficult to do.

““We start work at 7am –neither of us has tocommute far to the office.

“We have cut outanything that isn’t valuablein terms of time. We don’thold meetings just for thesake of it and we have just

■ MONEY MAN: GregRobertson, of RobertsonBaxter, says advisers mustbuild up a rapport withclients

employed a PA totake some of theroutine administrationoff our hands.

“It is a very slickoperation, which hasenabled us to growthe business and seeas much as possibleof the family as well.”

Greg and Sadienow have twochildren –three-year-old Jamesand Hannah, two. Athird child is on theway and is due inAugust.

There’s even lesstime for Greg’s otherkeen interest, golf.

A member at

Woodsome Hall, he playsoff 8, but would like toimprove on that.

“Golf is a great game,”he says. “I’ve played golffor about 10 years andwhile it’s an advantagebusiness-wise, it takes timeout of the day,” says Greg.“There are a few corporategolf days coming up andI’m looking forward to them.It helps cementrelationships with clientsand business contacts. Imet Michael Woodheadthrough golf.”

Squash and tennis areother favourite sports andGreg is looking forward to atennis tournament nextweek for local businessprofessionals in Halifax.

Son James alreadywields his plastic golf clubsin imitation of his dad. “I’dlike to play tennis with thekids when they’re ready toplay,” Greg adds.

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

Grocery chainbidding to trimits energy billsAN energyconsultancy hasbeen asked tocheck-out gasand electricitysupplies forretail chainCostcutter.Brighouse-basedOrchard Energy,which is one ofonly 28 brokersaccredited bytrade body the UtilitiesIntermediaries Association, hasbeen appointed to source all gasand electricity supplies for allCostcutter stores.The deal is a significant boost forthe company, headed by managingdirector Gareth Henderson(pictured), which expects to seeturnover hit £1.6m this year as itprepares to expand its UK operationand open four new regional offices.Tom Young, Costcutter’s propertyand estate manager, said the factthat Orchard was UIA accreditedhad played a major part in thedecision to appoint the firm.“They were able to offer us acomprehensive, professional andfriendly service and we knew theywould be dealing direct with theenergy suppliers on our behalf tosecure the best deal specificallytailored to our needs,” he said.Mr Henderson said Costcutter wasone of a growing number of newclients specifically looking forconsultants accredited by the UIA,the body responsible for upholdingstandards in the industry.“Any business wanting to cutenergy costs has a formidable taskahead of them when selecting aconsultant,” said Mr Henderson.“It’s important to find a broker whonot only deals direct with the energysuppliers but has a soundunderstanding of the energybusiness and how contract datesand fluctuations in the market canimpact on overall costs.”Mr Henderson said he was securingfavourable prices for clients as farahead as 2011 and 2012.“A good independent energy brokerwill have the experience, expertiseand infrastructure required totransparently advise on the bestapproach and manage the wholecontract and buying process,” hesaid.Mr Henderson said UIA-accreditedfirms were able to secure significantsavings for clients and advise onthe latest industry legislation.He said: “Companies will soon beforced to comply with stringent,far-reaching national targets oncarbon emissions.“Dealing with a broker who isfamiliar with the latestdevelopments in commercial energysupply will enable them to ensurethey are complying with the latestregulations.”

Jo makes a HongKong connection

■ EXPORT LEADER: Jo Lavan,of Connect China, is turning toHong Kong (right) as a focus forYorkshire’s exporting firms

Working up to a World Cup feverWITH World Cup fever

spreading across thecountry – and football fans allover the world planning theirweeks ahead around thematches involving their teams –the World Cup has the potentialto be nothing but a headachefor employers.

The draw has not only been kindto the English team, it has also beenkind to England PLC this year inthat of the three group games, onlyone is to be played on a week day.The game in question is againstSlovenia at 3pm tomorrow.

With many fans planning to takeholiday or at least a half day to watchthe match, how should employershandle this if there are too manyrequests for holiday on that day orpeople taking unauthorised absenceto watch the match?

Firstly employers need to givepriority to their business – and staffmust understand this. Staff shouldbe reminded of the employer’s holi-day policy – if this contains noticeguidelines for the booking of holi-

days, and staff apply for leave ignor-ing the notice provisions, the holidayrequests can be denied.

Staff should also be warned thatany unauthorised absence will bedealt with under the employer’s dis-ciplinary policy, particularly if theyare planning to “coincidentally”have a cold on the day of the matchand a holiday request for that dayhas been turned down!

A further problem facing employ-ers is the chaos that could be causedon a matchday with people watchingthe match streamed live in the work-place. In a recent survey of workers,a staggering 48% said they would bewatching the game live at work ontheir computer. Even more surpris-ingly, 37% of workers said that

watching the match would not affecttheir productivity.

If employers have an internetusage policy, staff should bereminded of this before and duringthe World Cup and reminded thatwatching the match in working timewould constitute misconduct (oreven gross misconduct dependent onthe wording of the policy) and againwill be dealt with under theemployer’s disciplinary policy.

With both these problems inmind, employers should look atways to compromise and allow fansto get their regular fix of football,

whilst ensuring the needs of thebusiness are not affected. Some sug-gestions are:

● If the employer has a televisionat work and somewhere largeenough to accommodate staff, con-sider putting the match on to avoidstaff pulling a “sickie”. This alsosaves staff leaving work even earlierto travel home (or to the pub) towatch the match

● Allow staff to go early on daysEngland play on the proviso theymake the time up at a later date, andagree this date in advance if pos-sible

● Allow staff to swap shifts (ifapplicable) to accommodate theirwishes.

Hopefully the above suggestionsshould go some way to placatingstaff while allowing their employersto continue to operate throughoutthe “greatest show on Earth”.

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at ChadwickLawrence Solicitors

EMPLOYER’SBRIEFNeil Wilson

A BATLEY-based organisation isspearheading efforts to boost tradebetween the UK and Hong Kong.

Connect China, led by Honleywoman Jo Lavan, is launching thenorthern chapter of the HongKong-UK Business Forum in a bid tohelp more British companies get afoothold in one of the economicpowerhouses of the Far East.

Said Jo: “Due to its unique posi-tion as a Chinese city with Britishbusiness infrastructure, Hong Kongcontinues to be an important gate-way to trade with China for thou-sands of UK companies.

“We are launching the Hong KongBusiness Forum here in the north ofEngland as part of the WorldwideFederation of Hong Kong BusinessAssociations – a unique network of33 Hong Kong business associationsin 24 countries with more than10,000 individual members.

“The forum will provide animportant network for regional busi-nesses, trade organisations and pro-fessionals to gather together andexchange news, inside knowledgeand information on doing business inHong Kong and China.

“Members will be able to attendevents in the UK and Hong Kong aswell as benefit from being part of aglobal network of Hong Kong Busi-ness Associations.”

The forum will be launched at10am on Tuesday, June 29, at theoffices of DLA Piper in Leeds.Speakers will include Sarah Wu, dir-ector-general of the Hong Kong gov-ernment’s economic and tradeoffice.

Those attending will also learnabout Leeds in Asia – A Festival ofCommerce and Culture, which takesplace in November and is organisedby Marketing Leeds and governmentexport support arm UK Trade andInvestment.

Said Jo: “The launch event isdesigned for anyone who has conduc-ted business in Hong Kong, is aboutto undertake some work in HongKong or has a real business interest in

this world-famous city.“It is relevant to those considering

all forms of trade and investmentwith Hong Kong and those inter-ested in learning more about usingHong Kong as a gateway to Chinaand the wider markets in Asia.

“It is also of relevance to busi-nesses involved or interested in man-ufacturing, sourcing, outsourcing,licensing, franchising and distribu-tion from Asia.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

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Merger brings major new forceTWO companies have merged tocreate a new name in training.

Brookhouse Training & Assess-ment Centre and Building TradesTraining have joined forces to formBrookhouse Training Centre.

The new company continues toprovide training and skills develop-ment to the gas and utilitiesindustry.

Director David Dumaresq-Lucassaid the Cleckheaton-based businesswould build on 15 years experienceof training and assessment deliveryto develop programmes to meet theneeds of individuals and employers.It will also focus on skills for newcareers such as renewable energies.

He said: "Key to the success ofBTC is its firm belief in deliveringmeasurable, qualitative and fit forpurpose training, designed toenhance competit iveness andincreased efficiency, regardless of thesize of the organisation.

"Partnership is foremost amongour priorities to ensure that exactrequirements are met and the correctpath is chosen for the learner jour-

ney. Also, a fundamental to thisongoing partnership is follow-upand measurement of the learningexperience, in order to understandthe impact on businesses."

The company launch was attendedby guests from organisations includ-

ing City & Guilds, Carillion, CSkillsAwards, Energy & Utility Skills,Business Link, Chambers of Com-merce and key business partnersArtisan Fireplaces Ltd, HoneywellControls, ZIP, HSBC, Grundfos andHRS Hevac.

■ GET TOGETHER: Brookhouse Training Centre directors (from left)Mark Collin, James McConnell and David Dumaresq-Lucas

Carl pitchesin to help outBUSINESSMAN Carl Hopkins isset to take part in Britain’s biggestand most competitive business pitch-ing competition.

Carl Hopkins, who starred inChannel Four’s Secret Millionaire, isjudging the northern heat of ThePitch – a competition which offersprizes worth £50,000 to the country’sbest entrepreneurial talent.

The Pitch, now in its third year,will be visiting five UK cities, whereentrants will face panels of high-pro-file business experts over the next sixmonths – culminating in one of thembeing crowned Britain’s Best NewBusiness.

Carl will judge the northern heat,which takes place on Thursday, July6, in Liverpool.

Together with a team of investorsand other successful entrepreneurs,he will scrutinise business conceptsand presentation skills, searching forthe best of the best from hundreds ofhopeful entrants.

Carl said he was looking forwardto supporting the entrepreneurs hemeets through the competition:

He said: “I’ll be looking for a beliefin themselves and their ideas – alsofor an understanding of how to bringthat idea to life, an understanding ofthe market they are entering, theneeds of their prospective customersand the possible pitfalls that lie

ahead as well as the possible upsides.”

The competition, organised byBusinessZone.co.uk and supportedby directories business Yell, providesa package of business support ser-vices worth £50,000 to the winner.

Last year’s competition was wonby Anthony Lau, founder of Lon-don-based bicycle security devicefirm Cyclehoop, who had the chanceto pitch his business to a panelincluding former TV “dragon” Doug

Richard.Doug, who is involved in The Pitch

again this year, said: “I love workingwith entrepreneurs.

“They are visionary, hard-work-ing, insightful, innovative, hopefuland imaginative.

“They create wealth for them-selves, employment for their associ-ates, solutions for their customers.The Pitch lets me meet hundreds ofthem. What's not to love aboutthat?”

■ JUDGE’S RULING: Brighouse businessman Carl Hopkins is helping tounearth Britain’s unsung entrepreneurial talent

Town wraps up anew partnershipdeal with TOG24TOWN players are all set forthe great outdoors – followingthe football club’s latestlink-up.National clothing brandTOG24 has become theofficial outdoor clothingpartner of Huddersfield Town.Founded in 1958, TOG24 is anationally-recognised brandand an industry leader in theperformance winter, ski andoutdoor clothing sector.The company has more than60 stores and stockistsacross the UK – with its mainfactory store inHeckmondwike and a store atthe Kingsgate centre inHuddersfield.As part of the deal, TOG24will have a dedicated sectionon the club’s new retailwebsitewww.htafcmegastore.comTown commercial directorSean Jarvis said thepartnership was adevelopment of the excellentrelationship the twoorganisations enjoyed overthe course of last season.TOG24 provided clothing forall 23 cyclists in the Pedal forPounds charity bike ride toSouthend last August.Said Mr Jarvis: “This deal willgive TOG24 access to ourmarketplace and – in turn –their backing adds a lot to the

club financially and in termsof having another nationalbrand on board.”TOG24 marketing directorChris Ward said: “Many of ourdirectors and members ofstaff are keen supporters ofHuddersfield Town.“This is a fantasticopportunity to support theclub and to highlight to fansthat we have stores locally.”Added Mr Ward; “When fansare after something to keepthem warm on match days,we would be delighted if theyhad a look in our stores asthe Club’s official outdoorclothing partner.”

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

Developer seals £7msales for key schemeA H U D D E R S F I E L Ddeveloper has defied marketconditions to secure £7m ofhousing sales at one of its resid-ential schemes.

Brockholes-based TowngateHomes Ltd is enjoying successat its luxury BroomfieldAvenue residential scheme inSavile Park, Halifax.

Fourteen of the 16 naturalstone detached homes andtown houses have either beensold or reserved with allinterest secured prior to devel-opment.

The first four homes whichwere sold off-plan in the firstphase of the scheme are nowcomplete.

And in response to demand,Towngate Homes is progress-ing with the remainder of thescheme, with the next phasedue for completion in Novem-ber this year.

The two-acre site whichBroomfield Avenue occupies islocated in a conservation areaoverlooking Savile Park on theoutskirts of Halifax towncentre.

Towngate said the early keeninterest was testament to itsreputation for delivering highquality, craftsman-built homesdesigned with lifestyle inmind.

Chief executive RichardConroy said: “There has beenmuch speculation in the hous-ing industry as to the viabilityof luxury developments such asBroomfield Avenue in the cur-rent economic climate.

“Securing sales and reserva-tions on almost 90% of thedevelopment before any build-ing work had begun – andwithout the availability of ashow home – demonstratesthat there will always be a mar-

ket for top quality homes in thebest location.

“Savile Park is a muchsought-after area and by pla-cing high emphasis on thedesign and aesthetics of thehomes, we have strived todeliver a lifestyle offering toreflect the overall attractive-ness of the area.

“Due to the incredibleresponse we have already hadto the scheme, such is our con-fidence that we are intending todevelop the remaining homesspeculatively.”

Broomfield Avenue is thelatest in a host of successfulresidential schemes in WestYorkshire undertaken by theaward-winning TowngateHomes and sister companyConroy Brook. Prices atBroomfield Avenue range from£310,000 to £595,000.

■ IN DEMAND: The development by Brockholes-based Towngate Developments Ltd

Eddisons finds buyer forformer CragRats buildingsBU I L D I N G S fo r m e r lyowned by theatre and trainingcompany CragRats have beensold.

The Mill at Dunford Road,Holmfirth, which containsoffices, a cafe bar and theatreblock, has been sold off anasking price of £500,000 bythe Huddersfield office ofchartered surveyors Eddis-ons.

Meanwhi le, a for merschool building on WhamsRoad, Penistone, was alsosold by Eddisons off an ask-ing price of £375,000.

The property comprisesdormitory bedrooms androoms for storage, rehearsalsand set building on a sitewhich extends to more thantwo-and-a-half acres.

No details regarding thebuyers of either property ortheir future plans have beenreleased.

CragRats owned bothbuildings before going intoadministration in June lastyear.

John Padgett, of Eddisons,concluded the sale on behalfof CragRats (in administra-tion) c/o Ernst & YoungLLP.

He said: “These deals havebeen completed – despitesome very tough economicconditions – and our client ispleased with the prices we

have achieved.“Our plant and machinery

department also assisted inthe sales process by conduct-ing a comprehensive assetvaluation.”

E d d i s o n s h a s a l s oannounced the sale of TheOther Rooms on Queensgate,

Huddersfield.The prominent bar and res-

taurant premises, whichstands opposite HuddersfieldUniversity and next to theKingsgate shopping centre,has been bought by a localbusinessman off an askingprice of £395,000.

■ AT THE MILL: The premises formerly occupied byCragRats at Dunford Road, Holmfirth, have been sold to anunnamed buyer off an asking price of £500,000

For SaleIndustrial UnitMarshall Hall Mills, elland lane, elland1 Single storey industrial unit1 Established industrial location, excellent road links1GIA 869.53m2 (9,360 sq ft)1 0.293 Hectare (0.72 Acre) siteoffers in the region of £450,000

To leT/For SalePennine Business ParkBradley, Huddersfield1 High specification offices1 372 & 557m2 (4,000 & 6,000 sq ft)1 Ease of access to J25 of the M62rental/Price: on application. Joint agents: eddisons

To leTNewly Constructed Retail/Office Units29 – 33 Greens end road, Melthamretail1 Lock-up retail unit 20.91m2 (225 sq ft)rental: £75 p/w exc.offices1High-grade office development, on-site car parking1 44.46 – 142.32m2 (479 – 1,532 sq ft)rental: on application

For SaleRed Doles RoadHuddersfield1 Large secure surfaced yard area1Approx. 0.24 Hectares (0.60 Acres)1 Redevelopment potential1All mains services available to sitePrice: on application

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7

New director joins DTZ

Agency inname changePROPERTY agency Colliers CRE plchas changed its company name toColliers International UK plc.The move to a single global brandstrengthens the group’s position asthe third largest property advisoryorganisation in the world, withrevenues of £1.2bn.Andrew Watt, head of the Leedsoffice of Colliers International UK,said: “In the UK, we are the sameteam with the same enterprisingpersonality, committed to deliveringclient solutions of the highestcalibre.“We are, however, recruiting someimpressive new talent and haverecently appointed six new directorsin key positions throughout the UKbusiness.“Being an integral part of thenewly-aligned Colliers Internationalgives our clients access to a team of15,000 professionals and throughthem, a myriad of important, oftenlongstanding relationships as wellas comprehensive knowledge andintelligent insight acrossinternational markets.”

Firm takesspace atMidpointA COMPANY helping people makeclaims for being mis-sold financialagreements has completed a deal totake space at an out-of-town officedevelopment.Acting on behalf of KeylandDevelopments Ltd, DTZ and jointagent Carter Towler have completeda lease on Unit 3 at The Courtyard,Midpoint, Leeds to Redress Claims.Redress Claims are the firstoccupier in The Courtyarddevelopment and have taken a newlease on 2,800 sq. ft on confidentialterms.Phillip Dawson, associate directorat DTZ, said “It is encouraging tosee another out-of-town officeletting complete in what has been atough period in this challengingmarket.“The Courtyard comprises fiveseparate units. With RedressClaims’ occupation together withanother building currently underoffer, we will soon see 35% of thespace occupied.”James Smithies, developmentdirector at Keyland DevelopmentsLtd, said: “The recent activity atMidpoint together with the openingof the Aagrah banqueting centresees completion of the Midpointscheme.“Despite the difficult economicclimate, it is encouraging to see thatoccupiers are returning to themarket. This is just one example ofhow we are seeing a shift in themarket.”Naman Hussain, operations directorat Redress Claims, said: “Ourexpanding business has outgrownits previous accommodation. TheCourtyard provides us with our ownself contained modern premiseswith plenty of local amenities forour employees.”

Visitors focus onhousing mattersDELEGATES from a housingassociation in Northern Irelandvisited a Huddersfield company toshare ideas for best practice intenant involvement.

Sadeh Lok Housing Group,based at Edgerton, played host tothe delegates from Oaklee HousingAssociation based in Belfast.

Staff and tenants also visitedWakefield and District Housing,Chevin Housing Group in Wake-field and Northwards Housing inManchester during a three-daytrip.

Tenants from Oaklee were focus-ing on resident involvement andbest practice in the social housingsector so they could gather inform-a t i o n o n p a r t i c i p a t i o n ,decision-making and interaction.The information will be reportedback from Oaklee’s resident paneland shared with participatingorganisations.

The visit was organised by SadehLok chief executive Ken Elliottand Oaklee chief executive IanElliott as a follow-on from afact-finding trip to Belfast last yearby the Sadeh Lok Group board.

Both organisations are part of

the CECODHAS network, aEuropean network of 45 regionaland national housing federations

and voluntary and cooperativesocial housing enterprises in 19countries.

The network acts as a workinggroup for organisations to shareinformation and address socialhousing issues.

Said Mr Elliott: “This particularstudy tour – while providing anopportunity for tenants fromOaklee to develop their interactionpractices – has also provided atremendous learning opportunityfor myself and senior staff.

“The biggest problem that weand many registered providersexperience is generating engage-ment among our customers whenmaintaining their homes anddeveloping their communities.

“Several exciting opportunitieshave arisen from the visit, which Iwill be addressing with my boardover the coming weeks.”

Sadeh Lok Group was estab-lished in 1988 to respond to disad-vantage, discrimination andexclusion by opening up opportun-ity for all.

The organisation provides sev-eral services to young people, fam-i l ies and communit ies andemployment support for thelong-term unemployed.

■ HOUSE CALL: Members of Oaklee Housing Association at theheadquarters of Edgerton-based Sadeh Lok Group

Deals at the doublePROPERTY agency MichaelSteel & Co has completed twodeals in West Yorkshire.

Acting on behalf of DLPartnership, the liquidators ofBarlow Refractory Products Ltd,Michael Steel & Co completedthe sale of units 14 and 15 atAshfield Way, Whitehall IndustrialEstate in Leeds.

The single storey factory andoffices provide 18,500sq ft ofaccommodation and wereavailable at a guide price of£450,000.

The property has been bought

by furniture retailer CTH UK Ltdfor use as a central distributionbase and head office.

In the second deal, MichaelSteel & Co acted on behalf ofNormhurst to sell freeholdpremises at Newton House, GreyStreet, Wakefield.

The property, formerlyoccupied by Wakefield OfficeSupplies and extending to7,000sq ft has been sold toCalder Catering, represented byHolroyd Miller, after a guide pricein the region of £250,000.

GLOBAL property adviser DTZhas appointed John Keyes as dir-ector in the firm’s corporate realestate consulting business.

Mr Keyes (pictured right) willbe based in DTZ’s Manchesteroffice, but will also provide stra-tegic real estate advice to clientsacross Yorkshire and the UK.

Mr Keyes joins DTZ from GVAGrimley where he was a director inthe occupier consultancy businessunit.

During this time, he oversaw therapid growth of the strategic con-sultancy team and advised on

more than £500m of capital invest-ments for the further educationsector. Major projects includedYork College, where Mr Keyesacted as a lead adviser in develop-ing a property strategy and over-s e e i n g £ 6 0 m i n c a p i t a linvestment.

Prior to GVA Grimley, Johnworked at KPMG, ManchesterCity Council and Stoke on TrentCity Council.

Mike Mitchell, managing dir-ector UK regions at DTZ, said:“We are dedicated to providing thebest real estate advice for our

clients and John’s expertise in cor-porate real estate consulting willplay an important part in drivingthis forward.”

Mr Keyes will report directly toJames Grierson, head of corporatereal estate consulting, who said:“John’s appointment strengthensthe team in the north-west. I amconfident he will be a valuable assetto the organisation.”

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Movers and shakers Page 8KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Geraldine Wilson-Foat

BTAL LtdA HUDDERSFIELD woman has been appointedto a dual role with Bradford Training AssociationLimited.

Geraldine Wilson-Foat, who lives at Lindley,joins the Bradford-based training servicescompany to work with senior and middlemanagement in firms throughout Yorkshire andthe UK to promote teamwork and help with theirtraining and development.

She will also provide human resourcesservices support to SMEs needing help in thisarea in order to free up management time.

Ms Wilson-Foat graduated from HuddersfieldUniversity and worked as HR services managerat South Wales-based Total Human Solutions.

Firms with lotsto smile aboutNETWORKING events reallywork – just ask these two firms.

A chance meeting at a network-ing event has improved businessfor Golcar-based business-classtext messaging provider SMileSand corporate software organisa-tion PPD Computing, of Hali-fax.

Andy Earnshaw, businessdevelopment manager at SMileS,said: “We work with quitedetailed databases and required acustomer relationship manage-ment system that is sophisticatedenough to segment our lists usingdifferent criteria.

“PPD Computing’s CLIM8product allows us to do all thisand more.

“During telesales campaigns,we can add notes, log call-backsand reschedule calls.

“In other words, become moredisciplined and effective in ourapproach to our customer rela-tionships, which should lead to abetter experience for our custom-ers.”

Meanwhile, PPD Computing

has incorporated the SMileStext-messaging system intoCLIM8.

The system allows marketingor information-based text mes-sages to be sent quickly and easilyto an individual or targetedgroup.

It means that PPD Computingclients can communicate effect-ively with their customers by textas well as enjoying the CRMbenefits offered by the sophistic-ated CLIM8 software.

Stuart Amery, marketingco-ordinator PPD Computing,said: “There’s a growing demandfor business texting in the market-place and the SMileS text systemis definitely giving us a competit-ive edge.

“It’s given us the opportunityto respond to our customers’needs by integrating a sophistic-ated text messaging service withour intuitive software.

“We’ve received some excellentfeedback from our clientsalready.”

■ NET GAIN: Andy Earnshaw (left) and Sara Evans, ofSMileS, with Peter Walters (second right) and StuartAmery, of PPD Computing

Thea Stein

YorkshireForwardYORKSHIRE Forward has appointed Thea Steinas its new chief executive.

Ms Stein will take up the role on July 1 for aninitial 12-month period. She is currently theregional development agency’s executive directorof economic inclusion.

Ms Stein joined Yorkshire Forward in 2006having worked across a wide variety of roles inthe public sector. She also has extensivemanagement experience – including managingorganisational change and tackling finances.

She succeeds Tom Riordan, who is leavingYorkshire Forward in the summer to become chiefexecutive of Leeds City Council.

Adele Cartledge

ThoritePNEUMATIC products andprocess systems supplierThorite has appointed AdeleCartledge as key accountsmanager.

Ms Cartledge (pictured)moves from her previousposition as supervisor at thefirm’s Huddersfield sales andservice centre at Barge Street,off St Thomas’ Road, to take upher new post at Thorite’sBradford head office.

Thorite has a network of eight centres inYorkshire, Lancashire and the north-east. MsCartledge, who lives in Bradford, will now beresponsible for managing and increasing majormanufacturing and processing industry accounts inparts of Bradford, Leeds and Halifax.

Chocs awayfor retailersTHE co-founder ofa world-leadingchocolate brandwill advise on retailsuccess at a weekof events in WestYorkshire.

Jo Fairley,co-founder ofGreen & Black’s, isamong theinspiringentrepreneurs totake part inBusiness Link Yorkshire’s Retail Week, whichopens its doors next Tuesday.

Jo (pictured) will tell delegates at the WoodHall Hotel, Wetherby, about how shedeveloped the brand, which is renowned for itsquality and ethical credentials.

Green & Black’s has now been sold toCadbury’s, but Jo retains an ambassadorialrole, travelling the world to promote itsinternational growth in countries such asAustralia and the USA.

Other speakers at events during the weekwill include Jamie Murray Wells, founder andexecutive chairman of Glasses Direct. He’s theguest speaker on Tuesday, June 29, at DeanClough in Halifax. He set up his onlinespectacles business while still at university.Glasses Direct is now the world’s largest onlineretailer of prescription glasses.

Other events during Retail Week includeones on topics such as visual merchandisingand profitability at venues in Leeds, Halifaxand Bradford.

For details of the free events, visitwww.yhevents.com or call 08456 048048.

Amy Gregory

ManifestCommunicationsMANIFEST Communications hasappointed Amy Gregory as apublic relations accountexecutive.

Ms Gregory (pictured) joins theHuddersfield-based agency fromChocolate PR and hasexperience working with bothconsumer andbusiness-to-business clients.

In her new role, she will workacross a number of PR accounts.

Manifest has offices in New North Road and atGrays Inn Road in London.

Joint managing director Nev Ridley said: “ Weare really pleased to have Amy on board. She hasa real passion for PR and – with her previousexperience and knowledge – I am confident shewill be a real asset to the Manifest team.” All part of the service!

A CAR dealership in Huddersfieldhas driven off with a national award.

The after-sales team at HepworthHonda was second overall in thecompetition– and the highest placedurban dealership – in the ServiceExcellence Awards made by HondaUK.

The team at Hepworth Hondawere competing against 189 Hondasites across the country in theannual awards, which surveys largesamples of customers to ask their

opinions of service levels.The award was presented at a

gala dinner in the New Forest. MattGibson, head of customer at HondaUK later visited Hepworth’s LeedsRoad dealership to hand the awardto service manager Paul Walsh andteam leaders Tracey Swallow andEmma Whittaker, who areresponsible for the technicians,drivers and other staff whose effortssecured the accolade.

■ DRIVING AMBITION: Hepworth Honda service manager Paul Walsh(left) and team leaders Tracey Swallow (second left) and Emma Whittakerreceive the Service Excellence Award from Matt Gibson, of Honda UK