Business Diary: July 19

Francis Salway is CEO of Land Securities, developer of the £350m Trinity Leeds shopping centre on course for opening in spring 2012.

Diary asked him, as a significant investor in the city, what he thought of Leeds train station, the subject of vocal criticism from some in the city who think Network Rail should do more to improve the quality of this most important piece of infrastructure.

In a diplomatic response, Mr Salway said: “We are great believers in public realm. I am sure in the immediate forecourt area there could be some improvements.

“But I can assure you that the experience of arriving at the station and waiting for a train is a lot better than King’s Cross, where you can hardly move.”

That may be the case, but look at St Pancras, the stunning neighbour to King’s Cross. That’s the level that Leeds should be aiming at.

Royal flavour for Seabrook Crisps

IF you’re a Yorkshire crisp maker with an eye for publicity, it’s good to have friends in high places.

Bosses at Bradford-based Seabrook Crisps have never been shrinking violets. Diary recalls how, four years ago, Seabrook sponsored the Blah! political party, which was led by Captain Sensible, who is best known as a member of punk band The Damned.

At last week’s Great Yorkshire Show, the company managed to attract the attention of the heir to the throne.

The Prince of Wales soon discovered that his sister had links with the fast-growing Yorkshire firm.

Sam Risker, the marketing executive at Seabrook, said: “He spent a few minutes chatting to us and we mentioned that Princess Anne had come to open our base in Bradford. He was a very pleasant man and it was nice that he stopped to talk to us.”

Potential world champ – at plumbing

With the Olympics looming, many youngsters are dreaming of standing on a podium while the national anthem rings in their ears.

Shane Trevitt, an Ilkley-based apprentice at NG Bailey, has achieved international honours of a very different kind.

Instead of leaping over hurdles or throwing javelins, Mr Trevitt aims to wow judges with his ability to unblock drains.

He was invited to Buckingham Palace where it was announced that he would represent his country after winning a nationwide competition to find the most talented students.

Mr Trevitt, is part of team UK, who will take on the world’s most highly skilled apprentices and employees at WorldSkills London 2011. After beating off fierce competition in a number of heats, he will represent the UK in his specialist area, plumbing.

The announcement was made as Mr Trevitt and NG Bailey’s chief innovation officer, Martin Bailey, visited Buckingham Palace to hear the team read out by Skills Minister, John Hayes.

A 43-strong team will represent the nation, each with their own specialist area.

WorldSkills London, which takes place at ExCeL from October 5 to 8, 2011, will be the world’s largest international skills competition with young people from across the globe competing to be the “best of the best”.

It’s just possible that Mr Trevitt could be Yorkshire’s next world champion.

Charity event proves a knockout

Readers of a certain age will remember the unique voice of presenter Stuart Hall on the TV show It’s a Knockout, in which teams were pitted against each other to compete for prizes while wearing outlandish costumes.

Well, Diary hears that teams of engineers, bankers, accountants and lawyers decided to salute the TV show’s spirit in order to raise cash for charity.

So you won’t be surprised to hear that giants with enormous noses were seen tottering around the HSBC Sports Club in Dore, near Sheffield. To say nothing of the contest to safely deliver an inflatable pizza.

After fierce competition, Tinsley Bridge were crowned winners of the event, which raised around £3,800 for Cancer Research UK.

Michelle Askham, a business services group manager at Grant Thornton, who organised the event, said: “Everyone involved had a fantastic time.”

But, Diary wonders, will next year’s event feature accountants dressed as budgies and elves?