Matt Holmes

BUSINESSMAN Matt Holmes has overcome severe dyslexia to lead an award-winning company.

Matt, 40, the managing director of Liquid Accounts, was kicked out of his first school when he was labelled "backwards".

At 18, he had never read a book and was still struggling to pass his O-levels.

But after becoming the first person in the UK to try out some special coloured glasses – which helped him make sense of the jumble of letters he would otherwise see on the page – he gained both his O and A-levels and went on to get a special achievement award from Cambridge University.

During a year out from his computing and management degree, Matt worked at an engineering firm in Elland – and created a job costing system which the company still uses today.

This formed the basis for his final year project and he was awarded a First.

He was recruited full-time by the engineering firm, but set up his own IT consultancy in 1997 and landed a big contract with a London law firm.

That led to him becoming the first developer in the UK to have his online company registration software approved by Companies House.

As well as being appointed director of IT at the law firm, he was invited to speak at international conferences in the USA.

Matt teamed up with Ian Burgess, of BHIS to create an electronic filing "gateway" for Companies House forms, allowing accountants to send official documents electronically.

In 2005, he saw the potential to develop online accounting systems and came up with the idea for Liquid Accounts.

Since then, he has become a pioneer of online software in the UK and has created a company that is at the forefront of online accounting in the UK.

Liquid Accounts, based at Longwood, has won a string of prizes in prestigious competitions such as the Software Satisfaction Awards, the Insider Digital Award and the Biz Award for Enterprise Through Innovation.

Matt is a sought-after speaker at regional business conferences and has written expert pieces for the Institute of Directors and several business magazines.

Said Matt: "I’m told that because I’m dyslexic. I bring a unique approach and enthusiasm to everything I do.

"Throughout my life I’ve had to find different ways of achieving things and so I don’t see the barriers to success that other people see."

Richard Conroy

A PROFESSIONAL surveyor is helping bring innovative design to the construction sector in Huddersfield.

Richard Conroy, chief executive of Brockholes-based Conroy Brook (Developments) Ltd, has had a keen interest in architecture since he was a child – no doubt nurtured by his father Ivan’s involvement in the building industry.

Richard, 37, studied surveying at Reading University and gained a master’s degree in design and real estate development from Harvard University where he also graduated top of his year.

He also spent 10 years gaining invaluable experience in property development in London, where he worked alongside renowned developer Sir Stuart Upton at Stanhope plc, a company with prestigious buildings such as Tate Modern and the National Gallery to its name.

A professional member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Richard is also a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

He joined Conroy Brook as a director in 2005, where his involvement has always been hands-on.

Richard’s aim was to apply what he learnt at Harvard and in London to developments in across West Yorkshire.

He said: "I firmly believe that places have the power to inspire us and transform the way we live.

"That’s why we place such importance on design and architecture to create homes which are interesting, innovative and of the highest quality."

Richard works with the architects throughout each project – his involvement even stretching to choosing the style and colour of door handles and light switches.

For the recently completed Rowan Court development in Holmfirth, he worked with the Hollybank Trust, which had commissioned a 15-bedroom specialist close care unit for profoundly handicapped people.

Other schemes have included the Holme Valley Court retirement complex, which stands close to Rowan Court, as well as its Somersbury Court apartment development at Somerset Road in Almondbury.

The complex has an energy-efficient heating system using a combination of electricity and renewable energy from the atmosphere to reduce heating costs.

Richard also takes responsibility for the financial, funding and legal aspects of the business.

As a result of his efforts – and despite the difficult economic climate – turnover for Conroy Brook has risen from £2.9m in 2007 to £5.8m this year and the firm has remained in profit.