Welcome to Kerry Daniels and WM Sugdens Ltd.  The Wakefield Shirt Group comprises of two businesses with a combined heritage of over 200 years in the apparel industry. These businesses are DoubleTWO and WM Sugdens.

DoubleTWO are a well-established shirtmaker, founded in 1940. Set up by Isaak Donner who came to Britain to escape Nazi persecution, the name has become synonymous with innovation and style, revolutionising the shirt making business. Inventing the replacement collar which gave them their name, and creating the world’s first man-made fibre shirt are just some of the achievements DoubleTWO has accomplished over its long and rich history. Continuing to go from strength to strength, the DoubleTWO shirt remains a tireless wardrobe staple.

WM Sugdens are one of the country’s foremost workwear and corporate clothing specialists. Established in 1869 from just one sewing machine in the back of a shop, William Sugden and his family grew the business opening factories all over Yorkshire. Supplying workwear and uniforms to the Emergency Services, as well as to a plethora of private sector industries, WM Sugdens offers an extensive range of clothing, as well as fully bespoke embroidery & uniform design.

Pictured is Kerry Daniels, Chief Financial Officer.  Please make sure you catch up with Kerry at the We Are Wakefield events, or connect on LinkedIn HERE.

   

Say hello to Prosura, the Wakefield based business and lifestyle insurance broker.

Although Prosura is a new brokerage, which launched in January 2023, its founder and team of trusted advisors aren’t new to insurance or the Wakefield district.

Launched by entrepreneur Jon Newall, a third-generation insurance broker who has worked within the industry for 25 years, Prosura supports clients throughout the UK and from a range of sectors including manufacturing, distribution, property and leisure & hospitality.

Jon, comments: “The Prosura ethos is simple. We want to deliver exceptional, personal service and add value at every step of the customer journey when it comes to lifestyle and business insurance.

“Our focus is on getting to know our customers, their business and their most valuable assets. This helps us to take the complexities out of policies and deliver insurance products that are perfectly tailored to individuals and their business needs.”

Kaye Newton, Commercial Account Executives at Prosura, who has worked within insurance for 27 years, adds: “As a team, we thrive on getting to know what customers actually need, and not what they assume or think is right. Our role is to deliver the best service that’s more than just insurance cover.

“There’s no better feeling than knowing you have shared the best advice and that your client has peace of mind knowing that their most valuable assets are fully protected.”

Adding further value, Prosura offers business clients access to the Prosura Digital Lawyer. From legal advice to a legal health check and dynamic legal documents. It is like having your own business lawyer 24/7.

For information about Prosura and its approach to delivering exceptional service for its business and lifestyle customers visit: www.prosura.co.uk or call 01924 562777.

Say hello to Marcus Walsh, Director at Martin Walsh Architectural (MWA), a family-owned firm of architects.

 

RIBA chartered and CIAT approved, MWA has been creating functional, award-winning buildings for more than 47 years. Operating throughout the UK, the team has vast experience in commercial, industrial, retail, restoration and residential architecture.

 

With its reputation for making their buildings work harder, MWA has supported some of our region’s (and the UK’s) most recognised brands including HARIBO, Shepley Spring, Dewsbury Townscape, Esseco and Yummy Yorkshire!

 

Marcus Walsh explains: “Our portfolio of clients is vast; this is a testament to our focus on technical expertise and best practice. Our projects range from creating bespoke homes, developing commercial properties, warehouses and industrial spaces to brand-led restaurants and retail stores.

 

“While distinctly different, at the heart of every project is a desire to create buildings that work harder – whether this is future-proofing an operation, optimising a space or brand, or simply delivering a home for people and business.”

 

MWA is proud of its West Yorkshire footprint and has several major initiatives underway locally with MAP Charity, KMS Transport, Connection, Bell Lighting and MAC Trucks.

 

Marcus adds: “We have always supported local businesses. We love the fact that the buildings we have helped to create, restore or refurbish make our region a great place for businesses to operate, and for individuals to visit and live. We are certainly excited to continue with our vision and ambition alongside the We Are Wakefield community.”

 

From small to large scale jobs, MWA is a versatile practice. Services include Concept Design, Planning Stage, detailed Building Regulation drawings through to Project Management, Contract Administration, Party Wall and Master Planning.

 

Connect with the MWA on LinkedIn, or to find out more visit: www.martinwalsh.co.uk

We are joined by Claire Pedley, Co-Founder of The Poured Project and Raph Taylor, Employability Manager & Careers Lead at Camphill Wakefield.  We discuss both unique journeys and how they resulted in the perfect collaboration.

Active Mortgages are an award-winning brokerage and experts in securing mortgages for self-employed business owners and entrepreneurs.  Their aim is to get your mortgage easily and quickly, without distracting you from your lives or businesses.

When self-employed, getting a mortgage can be difficult. Incomes can be complicated and subject to additional lending criteria.  Active Mortgages understand the problems business owners face and know how to overcome these challenges to find the right lender for you.  Whatever your situation; one year of accounts, a change in company structure, adverse credit, inconsistent income or retained profits needed for affordability, they find the right lender for you.

Laura Bairstow: “My personal passion is to also ensure your business is protected.  So many business owners do not have adequate insurance in place to protect their company debts, profits, ownership, income or family.  No-one can predict the future and business protection is there to act as a safety net against unforeseen events that can cause disruption or even put a business at risk.”

“It’s been great getting to know fellow WAW members.  If you’d like to more about business protection, personal protection or would like support in securing your mortgage, please get in touch.”

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn HERE

Finance Experts | Active Financial (active-financial.co.uk)

Matching the Best Candidates with the Best Companies

Please welcome sisters Jilly Spiers and Sarah Knight of JS Recruitment.

Jilly, Sarah and the team have over 40 years’ experience recruiting for some of the region’s most recognisable employers and represent a vast network of local candidates.

They have a proven track record of success placing candidates from entry through to executive level across the following specialist areas:

• Manufacturing & Engineering
• Procurement & Supply Chain
• Food & FMCG
• Business Services

Jilly and Sarah are looking forward to learning more about and building relationships with fellow We Are Wakefield members – look out for them at the First Friday event on the 5th May where they will have a pop-up stand.

‘Over the past ten years we’ve received fantastic support from the Wakefield business community for which we’re extremely grateful. Whilst working to grow our company we’d really like to give back by helping others whether it be through referring business, providing peer to peer support or just lending an ear during testing times.’

Connect with Jilly and Sarah on LinkedIn

TRINITY PARTNER WITH WE ARE WAKEFIELD

We Are Wakefield are thrilled to announce a joint new partnership with Wakefield Trinity RLFC and the Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation.

WAW MD Claire Sutherley said, “We’re so excited to have Wakefield Trinity and the Community Foundation as Supporter Members of We Are Wakefield.  We see it as an important part of WAW’s work to connect business with culture and third sector within the District.  Rugby League runs through the veins of District and is an important part of our lives and connecting with local business will be a fantastic two-way opportunity.  I am looking forward to working with Verity and Mark to promote the club within our membership and beyond.  I’m sure our members will embrace the opportunity to connect with the club in any way they can.”

“We are already seeing the benefit from being partnered with We are Wakefield” said Verity Thomas, Commercial Manager at Trinity. “They run fantastic events which are attended by a large range of businesses from around Yorkshire and we look forward to the partnership going from strength to strength”.

Pictured: John Minards –  Chairman & Verity Thomas –  Commercial Manager

To find out more information about Wakefield Trinity and their corporate offer or how you can connect with the Foundation, please contact:

Verity Thomas – Commercial Manager

T: 01924 211 611, option 2

E: [email protected]

Mark Brennan – Head of Foundation

E: [email protected]

W: www.wakefieldtrinity.com

It was another great night at The Quarry, Horbury for the We Are Wakefield Quiz.  The evening began with welcome drinks courtesy of Pure Purchasing Consultant   as members and guests got their teams together ready to test their knowledge in the hope of winning the WAW Quiz Trophy.

Quizmasters for the evening were John & Rick from The Quarry who got the evening started with round 1 on General Knowledge. After a tightly fought 10 questions, Wordsmiths Unlimited & Good Fundraising claimed the round.

A welcome break for food followed, as we were treated to a selection of curries and side dishes to fuel us up for the next three rounds!

Round 2 tested our knowledge on King Charles III and a VERY low scoring round saw “The Quizards of Ossett” Juice Personnel and Prosura claim the winning vino.

Music was the topic for round 3 which saw the mighty Solupak take victory.

Round 4 saw another win for Juice Personnel and Prosura who were crowned overall winners!  David Haslehurst, Deputy Branch Manager at Handelsbanken Wakefield handed over the trophy to Kelly Smith (Juice Personnel), Jimmy Smith (Juice Personnel), Kay Newton (Prosura), Callum Topliss (Prosura) & Emma Lupton (Open Communications).

The Lambrini Losers with the lowest score of the evening and proving that IT is very much their specialist subject: Eitex!

We can’t wait for the next WAW Quiz Night at The Quarry – watch this space for more details soon.

 

We are proud to announce that The Alternative Board have become We Are Wakefield SUPPORTER MEMBERS.

Here’s what Tim Claverley had to say about the partnership: “At The Alternative Board, Wakefield District myself, Simon Banks and Dougie Brown want to help as many business owners in the area improve their businesses in ways that make a positive impact on their lives.  This can only mean good things happening in the local economy and community.  We want all business owners we work with to get the results you deserve and thrive with other business owners in the Wakefield district.  Just like We Are Wakefield we take a very collaborative approach bringing business owners together with no hidden agendas, we are non-judgemental and want the best for each other.  Together with the other business owners we help challenge decisions, provide advice and bring accountability all with a view to moving you and your business forward in the direction you want it to go.

Do you want quicker, better decisions, more time with the family, to work smarter not harder – these are some of the results you can get working collaboratively with your peers”

If you’d like to know more about how TAB would support you, please connect with Tim via LinkedIn

Or by email: [email protected]

Business Coach and Support in South Leeds – The Alternative Board

 

Ric Hopwood set up Hopwood Creative to support B2B and service offering SME’s across the district with their creative needs. They offer web design, graphic design and the ability to become a full marketing team to small businesses for less than the cost of hiring one full time marketing executive.

A passion for anything creative took Ric on a path studying everything visual including photography to begin with, then graphic design, and later, web design. Prior to setting up the business, he worked in a variety of marketing roles over 10+ years, putting all-round creative skills to good use and learning the ins and outs of marketing.

“I’m still very hands-on with a lot of the design work, but I’m building a team around me, each with skills that will support our clients for the long term.

It seemed a no-brainer for us, that as a Wakefield based business that we absolutely should be involved in this great business community that We Are Wakefield are developing. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and enjoying the support that we can offer to each other.

If you are curious about how your business is performing online then give me a shout and I’ll happily run a report for WAW members for free, that’ll give you ideas that you can implement yourself to grow your web presence.

Or if you fancy grabbing a coffee, tea or something stronger sometime, feel free to get in touch!!”

Connect with Ric on LinkedIn HERE

or Email: [email protected]