Business Diary: July 20

We've heard of companies going to great lengths to avoid troublesome shareholders, but M&S took the biscuit at its AGM, held in London.

A map was attached to the invite for shareholders. The AGM was held at The Royal Festival Hall, on London's South Bank.

There's just one problem with the map – it's a mirror image of what is should be. Instead of the Thames curving up and round to the right,

in the M&S map the river curves down.

In real life, Waterloo Bridge is north of Hungerford Bridge, yet in the M&S map, Hungerford Bridge is north of Waterloo Bridge.

One thing is for sure, anyone using this map to try to get to the AGM from Waterloo Station or Charing Cross, would have been thoroughly confused.

Peak achievement

IT'S been described as "one of the most demanding mountain-walking events devised as a charity challenge". But that didn't stop intrepid staff from Associated British Ports taking part in the gruelling

24 Peaks challenge to raise money for Seafarers UK.

Two teams from ABP, taken from Hull, Goole, Grimsby and Immingham, scaled 24 peaks in the Lake District, each over 2,400 feet, within 24 hours.

Team Humber and Team Sloth (Slow, Lethargic, Over-enthusiastic Troublemakers from Hull) competed over the weekend to raise money for seafarers and their families facing hardship.

Operations manager Paul Holland said: "I signed up for the challenge because I love walking and being outdoors. I can't think of a better way of raising money for a good cause than having a walk in the park with your work colleagues."

Balancing act

How do you make accountancy really exciting?

By pretending to snowboard on the boardroom table, according to creative design agency The Engine Room.

The firm has renamed Holmfirth-based accountancy firm Rogers & Co "Balance" and photographed its directors with various props, including a snowboard and hula hoop, for the new website.

Darren Evans, creative director of The Engine Room, based in Huddersfield, said: "It makes them stand out in a traditional sector. They'd always said they were different but now clients can see that for themselves.

"We wanted to illustrate their human touch, and hope this will appeal to companies looking for professional, friendly, partnership-orientated support as they move through their business challenges."

The results can be seen at www.balanceonline.co.uk

Up, up and away...

You would have thought an airline pilot who decided to launch a property company four years ago might now be regretting the move. But Kam Mogul is celebrating being on track to break through the 20m turnover barrier by 2012.

Niche Homes was created to tap into the expanding student market within Leeds. Since then it has expanded into social housing – building new homes across the region for organisations including Broadacres and Chevin Housing Associations.

Revenue is expected to stand at 5m this year and then reach 8m by September 2011. Annual sales are expected to rise to 20m by 2012.

The Leeds office of national accountancy and advisory firm, Baker Tilly, has been appointed to advise the business on its expansion.

Mr Mogul said: "We are optimistic about the future and excited

about the developments we have in the pipeline."