A company providing training and development services has won a monthly business award.

Brighouse-based Lattitude7 was named winner of the Business of the Month Award run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith.

Lattitude7 specialises in training and development services including, personal development, team building, ethics and integrity, coaching and business mentoring.

The business was formed in September, 2010, by managing director Dr Martin Haigh, a chartered engineer by profession who had previously worked abroad for a large global company and spent much of his time in Germany.

During 2009 with the world economy struggling, Martin took the brave decision to set up his own business. Initially carrying out some pro-bono work in Calderdale, he started to win paid work for small and medium-sized enterprises, providing services such as presentations skills, team building and business process improvement.

The business made a profit in the first year of trading and has continued to grow steadily since. As a result of a number of high-value contracts, turnover and profit have increased significantly with a number of projects for high-profile organisations, including Manchester Metropolitan University, Calderdale Council, the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturing Institute among others. Martin has been supporting companies overseas and has recently secured a contract with Birmingham City Council.

The judging panel was impressed by the courage Martin demonstrated in leaving his job during difficult economic times to set up his own business to do something he was very passionate about.

Although he works for himself, Martin uses a number of local contractors and associates when necessary and is very active in promoting the business within the local community – carrying out a great deal of pro-bono work for apprentices and schools.

Martin said “I am absolutely delighted to be given this award. I work hard to support the local business community and it is really pleasing to be recognised by the professionals at Eaton Smith. I would like to thank all my clients for believing in me and for giving me the opportunity to make a difference for them.”

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