Business News for Yorkshire || Yorkshire Times

£1=	1.1827 EUR, 1.5658 USD
FTSE 100	5928.2,5928.2,5928.2,5928.2,5928.2,5928.2,5928.2,5918.05,5907.64,5907.02,5897.95,5908.96,5904.37,5916.73,5913.54,5916.55,5916.55,5916.55,5916.55,5916.55,5916.55,5916.55,5916.55,5916.55	High:5916.73 Low:5904.37 Latest:5916.55
NASDAQ	2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2948.57,2943.03,2942.83,2934.21,2932.97,2941.49,2934.59,2933.04,2933.17,2933.17,2933.17,2933.17	High:2948.57 Low:2932.97 Latest:2933.17
NIKKEI	9460.37,9477.59,9517.46,9526.78,9544.22,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9554,9519.44	High:9554 Low:9519.44 Latest:9519.44
24 hrs of quotations from Yahoo! - delayed by 20 mins.

NEWS IN BRIEF
Good enough to Tweet!

National Rail Enquiries (NRE) has launched a new version of its site optimised for mobile users (http://m.nationalrail.co.uk/),

NBNK plan bid for National Australia Bank's Yorkshire Bank after last week's pre-tax profits cut by £28 million to £21million

Yorkshire and Humber StartUp 2012: Enterprise Calendar announced, highlighting at least 64 conferences, workshops, networking events

Yorkshire Bank with 8,300 jobs "under review" as owner National Australia Bank restructures its UK operation after bad debts and sluggish

£14.1bn of new buy-to-let mortgages last year. 124,000 issued, up 30,000 from 2010. 1/2 £28 billion of 2008, say Council of Mortgage Lenders

UK hi-tech manufacturers purchasing UK goods and services more as Far East wages grow and sterling weakens, says General Electric survey

BRITISH Land to submit plans for 70,000 sq ft retail area next to Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield. To sell 1/4 share in centre

Commercial property and real estate services provider CBRE shows healthy 4th quarter performance in 2011. Enters 2012 with "renewed vigour"

Demand for Tax Investigation Insurance Soars

Don't be caught Redknapping - ask about Tax Investigation Insurance

Following Harry Redknapp being cleared of tax evasion earlier this month, demand for Tax Investigation Insurance is soaring according to Yorkshire based chartered accountancy firm Clough & Company....

more...
Wed 22nd Feb, 2012 | 4:30pm

Eurostar reports bumper half-term

Eurostar, the high-speed passenger service between the UK and mainland Europe, has reported that it carried 10% more passengers over the February half-term school holiday, compared to the same holiday period last year....

more...
Wed 22nd Feb, 2012 | 12:19pm

Which rock star would you like to be?

Jimi Hendrix - who else?

Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page? Debbie Harry or Chrissie Hynde? Alex Turner or Axl Rose? How many of us have stood in front of a mirror with a hairdryer for a microphone and imagined what it would be like to front a rock band?...

more...
Sun 19th Feb, 2012 | 5:39pm

Yorkshire's leading campaign management agency accredited with ISO standards

Yorkshire's leading campaign management agency, Gecko, is celebrating after becoming ISO accredited for its high levels of service and commitment to data security....

more...
Fri 17th Feb, 2012 | 12:45pm

Dulux Offer Makeover for Retailers

Independent retailers in Yorkshire have been given extra time to submit their entries to a national competition run by Dulux Trade Woodcare, one of the UK's leading woodcare brands, to win a top makeover for their store....

more...
Thu 16th Feb, 2012 | 9:18pm

PETER RISES TO THE CHALLENGE AT PICKERINGS LIFTS

Peter Boydell

Tingley-based Pickerings Lifts, the UK's largest independent lift manufacturer has strengthened its Lift Regeneration team with the promotion of Peter Boydell, who has taken up the role as National Sales Manager....

more...
Wed 15th Feb, 2012 | 4:32pm

FORMER LEEDS MILL BUILDING REFURBISHED

Refurbished Vanguard House

In a positive sign of the oncoming end to the recession CBRE's Leeds Office Agency team has been instructed to market 8,000sq ft of ground floor office accommodation at Vanguard House....

more...
Wed 15th Feb, 2012 | 2:21pm

SMOOTHWALL DRIVES CORPORATE SALES WITH MILITARY PRECISION

YORKSHIRE based web filtering and security specialist Smoothwall has secured a contract with a global aerospace, defence and information solutions organisation that will see its products used by the US Military operating in the Middle East....

more...
Sat 11th Feb, 2012 | 2:25pm

US Fashion Retailer Continues UK Expansion in York

The fashion retailer Urban Outfitters has signed a 15-year lease for a 10,253 square foot store at 26/27 High Ousegate - located in the heart of York's retail district....

more...
Wed 8th Feb, 2012 | 5:03pm

Young engineer of the year Adam has his name written in the stars

Adam Kelsey, Young Engineer of the Year

A student who operates a Ł2.2m machine creating parts for the aerospace industry has proved the sky is the limit by being named Young Engineer Of The Year....

more...
Tue 7th Feb, 2012 | 3:49pm

Ford Announces the UK Universities to Receive Blue Oval Scholarships

Dagenham Diesel Centre production line

Ford has chosen 12 leading UK universities to award 100 student scholarships, worth a total of Ł1 million, starting in the 2012 academic year....

more...
Tue 7th Feb, 2012 | 2:02pm

ACCOUNTANTS BACK AWARD WINNING BUSINESS WOMAN

Anne Brown and Jane Middlebrook

A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCY firm is celebrating 10 years of working with a successful business woman from Leeds who recently won a prestigious ‘Women in Enterprise’ award....

more...
Mon 6th Feb, 2012 | 3:24pm

Regional Growth for Halifax Business

Business Secretary Vince Cable

Halifax Rack and Screw Cutting Co. Ltd are the first business to benefit from round two of the Regional Growth Fund and the only Yorkshire company with a successful bid in this round....

more...
Fri 3rd Feb, 2012 | 8:37pm

The National Trust bucks economic trends to have bumper December

The National Trust has reported a substantial increase in its visitor numbers, and retail and catering sales in December 2011 compared to the
previous December, despite a backdrop of challenging economic times and lack of consumer confidence....

more...
Fri 3rd Feb, 2012 | 11:00am

Licence-free background music service MusicStream set to save UK retailers millions

MusicStream, pioneer of royalty free music solutions, officially launches
its MusicStream service at the 2012 Spring Fair International at the N....

more...
Wed 1st Feb, 2012 | 2:43pm

RENEWABLES EXPERTS BANK ON A GREEN FUTURE

A group of renewables experts have come together at the country's leading sustainable development, Greenhouse in support of Leeds City Region's bid to host the proposed Green Investment Bank (GIB) which the Government plans to capitalise with Ł3bn in order to stimulate the green economy....

more...
Sun 29th Jan, 2012 | 3:05pm

New figures reveal UK economy contracted in final quarter

According to new figures, the UK economy contracted in the final quarter of 2011, forcing the UK government and Bank of England to take further action to fuel the economy....

more...
Wed 25th Jan, 2012 | 12:26pm

Make Way for Generation Sustainable: Future Business Leaders Speak

Sustainability, it seems, will never be the same again.

For too long a mere bolt-on for businesses chasing the ethical pound, sustainability may finally be entering the business mainstream as 'generation sustainable' makes its way into the boardroom....

more...
Sun 22nd Jan, 2012 | 12:43pm

2012 BRINGS UNCERTAINTY TO PLANNING SYSTEM

Miranda Steadman, CBRE Leeds

After a difficult and sometimes controversial gestation, the Localism Bill finally received Royal Assent in November 2011, becoming the Localism Act....

more...
Wed 18th Jan, 2012 | 10:01am

MTS MEDICATION TECHNOLOGIES HITS THE 3 MILLION PATIENT MARK

Leeds-based company, MTS Medication Technologies, international provider of medicine adherence packaging systems, has announced that it is now supporting over three million patients globally with their medication management products....

more...
Mon 16th Jan, 2012 | 9:42am

Economic returns and job creation from major investments in low carbon cities

A new study from the Centre for Low Carbon Futures shows that UK cities could cut their energy bills by billions by exploiting commercially attractive opportunities in energy and carbon management....

more...
Tue 10th Jan, 2012 | 6:24pm

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC provides a pre close update ahead of its financial year end on 29 January 2012

Supermarket group, Morrisons, proves it's not all doom and gloom as it reports growth over the festive period....

more...
Mon 9th Jan, 2012 | 10:03am

DAVID 'SNAPS UP' NEW ROLE

Professional photographer David Hurworth's razor sharp eye for a new challenge has seen him focus his skills with fast growing York letting and estate agency Coalters....

more...
Wed 4th Jan, 2012 | 10:37am

New Year's Honours for Leeds

University of Leeds staff and Alumni have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list.

Peter Buckley, Professor of International Business, receives an OBE and Dr Kath Hodgson, Director of Learning and Teaching Support, receives an MBE....

more...
Tue 3rd Jan, 2012 | 2:04pm

Online Shopping Boom Gives Parcel Delivery Companies a Great Start to 2012, Say ParcelsPlease

Recent figures from the online shopping industry has revealed that retailers are expecting more consumers to buy products online on Christmas Day, which could give the parcel delivery company a fantastic boost in time for the New Year, according to ParcelsPlease....

more...
Sat 24th Dec, 2011 | 10:26am

Journey around the public sector

Public sector casualty seeks private sector job

more...
22 Feb 2012 11:47 pm

VIDEO: British shoe company flourishing

As Budget day looms Steph McGovern asks Peter Taylor the Managing Director of Hotter Shoes, what he would like to see the Chancellor do to help UK PLC.

more...
22 Feb 2012 4:32 pm

US turns up heat on China solar subsidies

China and US in spat over solar subsidies

more...
22 Feb 2012 4:02 pm

South Korea wins Navy tanker deal

The Royal Navy selects South Korean firm Daewoo for a 452m deal to build four new fuel tankers.

more...
22 Feb 2012 3:45 pm

Indian call centres 'in US fraud'

Indian call centres were used to swindle millions of dollars out of Americans in a debt collection fraud, say US federal officials.

more...
22 Feb 2012 3:15 pm

Travis Perkins profits jump 37%

Travis Perkins, the owner of Wickes, reports a jump in profits thanks to a strong performance in the building trade, but warned that the retail DIY market remains tough.

more...
22 Feb 2012 2:25 pm

VIDEO: PPI claim 'a lot of hard work'

The Financial Services Authority has revealed that compensation to borrowers who were mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance reached nearly 2bn last year.

more...
22 Feb 2012 12:16 pm

New targets for tax inspectors

Tax inspectors will target the motor trade, market stallholders and clothing sellers as they extend their campaign against tax dodgers.

more...
22 Feb 2012 12:10 pm

Would a Peugeot GM alliance make sense?

Would a Peugeot-GM alliance make sense?

more...
22 Feb 2012 10:49 am

VIDEO: Could business help free schools?

Newsnight's political editor Allegra Stratton discusses the politics of putting children's education into the hands of profit-making companies.

more...
22 Feb 2012 10:27 am

PPI payments 'hit 1.9bn in 2011'

Banks paid out 1.9bn in compensation in 2011 for the mis-selling of payment protection insurance, a watchdog says.

more...
22 Feb 2012 9:52 am

AUDIO: CBI: 'Do not slow down austerity'

The CBI John Cridland explains why they are calling on the government to invest 500m to boost business and stimulate growth.

more...
22 Feb 2012 9:37 am

Heathrow passengers reach record

The number of passengers using BAA's Heathrow airport reached a record last year while losses for the company narrowed, the airport operator says.

more...
22 Feb 2012 7:31 am

CBI seeking 'targeted' tax cuts

The CBI calls on the government to give a 500m boost to business in the Budget through a series of "targeted and modest" tax cuts.

more...
22 Feb 2012 12:01 am

UK business confidence 'growing'

The number of UK businesses planning to increase their spending on marketing has risen sharply from last year, a survey suggests.

more...
22 Feb 2012 12:01 am

SIGN OF HOPE FOR THE RETAIL SECTOR

Gerald Grimes MD Capital Consumer Finance

Leeds-based Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance, the UK's number one finance provider of point of sale (POS) credit solutions, today announced a record month in January, reporting almost Ł100 million of lending and is well on its way to write Ł1 billion of new business to support the retail sector in 2012....

more...
Wed 22nd Feb, 2012 | 4:56pm

WATSON MOORE ANNOUNCES LATEST GROWTH FIGURES

David Moore

Manchester and Leeds based financial recruitment specialist Watson Moore has announced a recession defying fifth consecutive year of business growth, as the firm once again bucks the market trend....

more...
Wed 22nd Feb, 2012 | 1:10pm

High Street 'is in a Death Spiral'

Phil Wrigley, chairman of Majestic Wine and former boss of fashion retailer New Look, has said the British high street is in a "death spiral" and urged planners to re-classify vacant shop units as housing....

more...
Tue 21st Feb, 2012 | 4:01pm

Universities can design

An innovative self-heating canned food product has been given a complete rebrand by Sheffield Hallam University's in-house design consultancy, Design Futures....

more...
Fri 17th Feb, 2012 | 5:30pm

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE MARKETPLACE

Ed Fanshawe

With the rise in popularity of reverse auctions that put customers in control, a first of its kind 'live' online marketplace has been launched this week by a Sheffield-based entrepreneur, Ed Fanshawe....

more...
Fri 17th Feb, 2012 | 12:24pm

NEW RECRUITMENT FIRM MAKES A GOOD ACCOUNT OF ITSELF

Adrian Davies and Richard Sherrard

TWO respected headhunters have joined forces with leading Yorkshire based chartered accountancy firm Clough & Company to launch Project:Search LLP, which specialises in executive search and selection across many sectors....

more...
Wed 15th Feb, 2012 | 4:58pm

Leeds' Hitachi Capital Raises Ł2679 for Local Charities

Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance, the UK's number one provider of innovative in store and web-based point of sale finance solutions to the retail sector has raised Ł2,679 through an online auction for three local charities....

more...
Wed 15th Feb, 2012 | 2:32pm

New Appointment at CBRE Leeds

Andre Llewellyn

Andrew Llewellyn has joined CBRE's Leeds office as Director of Property and Asset Management. Formerly at Jones Lang LaSalle and King Sturge, Andrew will be responsible for managing CBRE's dedicated Northern client base in addition to continuing his long-standing work with MEPC's Wellington Place development in Leeds....

more...
Wed 15th Feb, 2012 | 1:49pm

New appointment brings fresh approach to Shulmans Solicitors

Neil Towse

Leading Leeds commercial solicitors Shulmans is placing staff development at forefront of its plans for 2012, with the appointment of a highly experienced new HR manager....

more...
Fri 10th Feb, 2012 | 11:19am

Acquisition plans for Leeds-based Peter Cook International

Furniture components company Peter Cook International (Peter Cook) is looking to further its expansion through acquisition....

more...
Wed 8th Feb, 2012 | 11:03am

Should your business 'go mutual' to survive the downturn?

Wisdom has it that employee-owned firms are small, undercapitalised and less efficient than conventional firms....

more...
Tue 7th Feb, 2012 | 2:22pm

Bezier Strengthens Board with Key Appointments

Bezier Group, the UK's largest provider of retail point of sale marketing services,today announced that James Buckley and Adrian Lamb have been appointed to the Board as Chief Executive Officer and Group Finance Director respectively....

more...
Mon 6th Feb, 2012 | 3:31pm

N8 launches Industry Innovation Forum

The new Industry Innovation Forum (IIF) led by the N8 Research Partnership officially launches today at an event held at the University of Leeds....

more...
Sun 5th Feb, 2012 | 7:44pm

Supermarkets' Expansion Will Be 'Biggest in the History of Retailing'

Loved by some and loathed by others, the UK's supermarkets look set to grow by considerably more than the existing floor space of Tesco - already Britain's largest retailer - if dramatic expansion plans are fully realised....

more...
Fri 3rd Feb, 2012 | 5:27pm

Chairman and CEO of Seabrook Crisps will be speaking at The Yorkshire Mafia Conference 2012

Ken Brook-Chrispin

A proud Yorkshireman through and through, Ken Brook-Chrispin, chairman and CEO of Seabrook Crisps, is speaking at The Yorkshire Mafia conference to share his experience of turning a brand in decline into one of the nations favourites....

more...
Thu 2nd Feb, 2012 | 2:01pm

Global Manufacturing Festival schedule announced with key speakers

Sir Roger Bone

The schedule for the Global Manufacturing Festival, sponsored by the University of Sheffield, has been announced and includes Sir Roger Bone, President of Boeing UK, as the first high-profile guest speaker....

more...
Sun 29th Jan, 2012 | 10:46pm

Politicians, Liberals & Law Makers Be Damned!

By Phil Hopkins
A sideways take on life

Ranting is a cathartic process, and today I turn my attentions to those members of society who live in their ivory towers, cosseted by a healthy bank account and with ample time to spout as to how the world should, or should not, be run.......

more...
Fri 27th Jan, 2012 | 11:49am

GREENHOUSE LEAVES LASTING IMPRESSION ON SECRETARY OF STATE

Chris Huhne; Chris Thompson, managing director at Citu; Karen Stafekis, development manager

Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change praised Leeds-based pioneering low carbon development, Greenhouse, following a visit during his activities for 'Big Energy Week' which encourages people to be more energy efficient....

more...
Sun 22nd Jan, 2012 | 12:49pm

LEEDS CITY COLLEGE INVESTS IN LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

As Leeds City College prepares to open up a range of its in-house resources to the wider business community, it has commissioned local award-winning e-business consultants, Web-Translations, to undertake the online brand positioning....

more...
Wed 18th Jan, 2012 | 3:49pm

RECORD CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE FOR PUB GROUP

Rooney Anand

Greene King pub and brewery group announces a record Christmas despite the doom and gloom.

Rooney Anand, chief executive, said: "This was another strong performance driven by the strength of our business and our continued commitment to providing unrivalled value, service and quality to our customers....

more...
Tue 17th Jan, 2012 | 8:47pm

DULUX TRADE GIVES LOCAL RETAILERS IN YORKSHIRE THE ULTIMATE BOOST

Independent retailers in Yorkshire are in with the chance of winning an 'Ultimate Makeover' to give their shop a much-deserved boost, following the launch of a national competition by Dulux Trade Woodcare, one of the UK's leading woodcare brands....

more...
Thu 12th Jan, 2012 | 3:24pm

Yorkshire MP seeks HS2 guarantees for Northern firms

Kris Hopkins MP

Keighley and Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins has received an assurance that companies based in the north of England will have the same opportunity to win contracts associated with the High Speed 2 rail link as those located in the south of the country....

more...
Tue 10th Jan, 2012 | 6:15pm