We love it when businesses send us their good news and here’s our latest good news round-up, kindly sponsored by PALADIN. Awards, expansion, new contracts or new appointments, if you’ve got some good news you want to share please email the editor, Martin Shaw, on martin@huddersfieldhub.co.uk.
Holmfirth-based Applegate Properties has secured four coveted accolades at The Negotiator Awards – the UK’s leading independent programme for estate and lettings agents, their suppliers and the residential property industry.
Laying claim to the Gold title for Small Estate Agency of the Year, as well as Bronze for Yorkshire and The Humber Agency of the Year and Highly Commended for Small Lettings Agency of the Year, this year’s result is the firm’s best to-date. Company manager Grace Noke won the Rising Star Bronze award.
Speaking on the Gold achievement, the judging panel commented: “It’s a story of vision, determination, flair and fabulous communications.
“We’re impressed that Applegate has been able to increase its market share, despite all their competitors charging lower fees. They just do everything right – hence their 0% withdrawal rate! An intelligent, joined-up estate agency, as it should be.”
Founder and managing director Amy Wray, company manager Grace Noke, head of residential appraisals Paul Turner, account manager Gwen Kaye and property maintenance manager Kerry Russell attended the awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Amy said: “We’ve landed five victories over the years at The Negotiator Awards, so to have been shortlisted for this number in one ceremony alone was a whole new level of triumph for the team. To have then been successful in four of these categories on the night was nothing short of a privilege.”
Mirroring the same sentiment, Grace added: “Of course, I’m incredibly humbled to see my name on the Rising Star of the Year list – but I want to thank the whole team for supporting me in living and breathing the company’s core values. I’m so proud of both our lettings and sales departments for their determination and dedication.”
As the fastest-growing estate and lettings agent in Huddersfield and Holmfirth, Applegate Properties has increased its market share year-on-year.
Founded in 2010, the company now employs 10 members of staff, spanning both its sales and lettings services – with ARLA and NAEA Propertymark memberships solidifying the team’s ethics and professionalism.
Mirfield-based, award-winning digital marketing specialist Fishtank Agency is preparing to mark its 15th anniversary in the creative industry.
The Fishtank team will celebrate the milestone by completing 15 different bucket-list activities in the lead-up to The Fishtank 15 Celebration party.
Founded in 2008 by designer Damien Fisher, the agency has created a reputation for visionary ideas, excellence in design, transforming identities and online platforms for local, national and international brands.
Fishtank’s portfolio includes work in the manufacturing, retail, property and finance sectors. Its recent clients include City Taxis, Berry Global, BedWorld and Britvic.
To celebrate the milestone, the agency will be completing ‘15 before 15’ things to conquer, a bucket list created by the team with activities to complete in the run-up to January.
These activities include team bonding exercises such as games nights and signing up to complete Total Warrior 2023. Not all of the challenges are quite so gruelling, such as laser questing, office doggy daycare and a pizza-making class.
The agency will also be sticking to its design roots by getting involved in a screen printing experience and a Christmas craft session. These bucket list events will also create fundraising opportunities for the team to raise money for Sheffield Hospitals Charity.
Speaking on the upcoming anniversary, founder Damien Fisher said: “The team are so excited for the 15th anniversary celebrations. Whether they’ve been part of the agency for a few months or over a decade, it’s great to mark such an achievement and reflect on what we’ve accomplished as a business.
“Although the world came to a halt during the pandemic, the need for digital marketing did not. I’m so proud to have built an agency with strong values that is flourishing, consistently winning clients and attracting incredible employees. It’s been great to see the team continue to develop and grow alongside the business.
“We look forward to using the 15 before 15 activities to have some fun and further bond us as a team, especially with some of our team working remotely. We’re all very excited for The Fishtank 15 Celebration party so we can catch up and celebrate with some of our clients.”
Compressed air and fluid power specialist Thorite has appointed Jim Allen as business development manager to support its £10 million growth plan, bringing the nationwide team to 13.
Jim, who has a decade of sales and management expertise, will be based at Huddersfield and will cover the Huddersfield, Halifax and Wakefield areas.
His responsibilities will include setting and maintaining strategies for growth, strengthening customer relationships and developing new business.
Jim said: “I really enjoy working for companies, such as Thorite, who work in partnership with customers to help them work in safer, efficient and more profitable ways. Anyone can sell products and move boxes but only experts in their field can work in this way.”
Slaithwaite-based brand and digital agency Smith has rebranded and built a new website for business consultancy Agile Monster.
Leeds-based Agile Monster supports clients such as Freeman Grattons, the British Army, Farnell and TransUnion.
Smith’s creative director Oli Smith said: “Working on the Agile Monster project has been a great experience. The team at Agile Monster has been very insightful and the collaboration has brought a differentiated and distinctive brand identity and website.
“We strongly believe this will help Agile Monster attract the kind of work they want and support their sales push.”
Founder and managing director of Agile Monster, Steve Crossland, added: “I was looking for a partner that understood my goals but also pushed me to develop a solution that was best-in-class. What the team at Smith have done is exactly that.
“Already, I’ve had great feedback from my network, and I’m sure this will help us in pushing the business forward.”
Students at a health and beauty school in Huddersfield took part in workshop sessions to learn about cyber security and social media.
The sessions for students at The White Rose School of Health and Beauty were aimed at helping prepare them for success in business.
The sessions were run by marketing executive Hannah Dooley (above), of Oldham-based IT consultancy Aspect IT.
The White Rose School of Health and Beauty offers an extensive range of courses in beauty therapy to prepare students for career opportunities within the industry.
Hannah said: “Social media is vital for all businesses to build credibility and market themselves, no matter what sector they’re in.
“By teaching the students how to utilise social media effectively, it gives them a head start when they come to starting their own business or move into employment.”
Clare Dorotiak, lecturer at The White Rose School of Health and Beauty, said: “Both groups really enjoyed the session. Everyone found the examples and ways to spot a phishing email useful.
“The learners were especially interested in the tips Hannah shared to help them promote their own business on social media.”
