With continuing uncertainty following the overwhelming rejection by MPs of the Prime Minister’s proposed Withdrawal Agreement, Somerset Chamber of Commerce is organising a half-day Brexit panel discussion to give firms an opportunity to gain expert insight and advice to help them prepare for business post-Brexit.
A panel of distinguished business leaders will discuss topics including trade, logistics, immigration and more at ‘The Future of Business Post-Brexit’ event on Wednesday 6 February, which will be hosted by Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil. Following the presentations, there will be a Q&A session giving delegates a unique opportunity to ask questions and source further insight from the expert panel.
Delegates will hear from Julian Russell, Finance Director UK at Leonardo Helicopters, about how the helicopter manufacturer has been preparing for Brexit and all its possible permutations in order to ensure that the company’s EU deliveries and exports run smoothly.
Mark Johnson, National Customs and Trade Control Director at Leonardo’s logistics partner, Kuehne & Nagel, which is one of the world’s leading logistics companies, will cover the tariffs and customs implications. Mark commented, “We’re looking forward to updating attendees on the status of the transition period and how business can prepare for the impact of post-Brexit international trading. As a logistics company, Kuehne & Nagel have been spending a lot of time preparing for the end of March and I’m looking forward to sharing this knowledge with Somerset businesses”.
The Director of Research and Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Mike Spicer, will give an overall business perspective on the most critical negotiations of a generation. He said, “Somerset Chamber’s Future of Brexit event is not to be missed – it’s the best local opportunity for those wanting to learn more about what Brexit means for them and their business. I’ll be exploring the latest developments direct from Westminster and what businesses regardless of size or sector should be doing to prepare”.
The implications of Brexit on the employment of EU nationals will be outlined by David Faulkner-Bryant, Corporate Immigration Consultant at immigration specialists The Visa Office. David said, “In our capacity as authorised UK Immigration Advisers, we are constantly keeping our clients informed and compliant with the frequently changing immigration environment. I’m looking forward to sharing our thoughts and experience with local businesses to help them prepare for post-Brexit recruitment and retention.
Stephen Henagulph, Chief Executive at Somerset Chamber of Commerce, commented, “Undoubtedly the burning issue of the last 18 months has been the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. With much uncertainty still surrounding the exact terms of Brexit, 2019 looks likely to be a challenging year for many companies across the country.
“As a result, we are holding this half-day Brexit panel discussion to help address some of the concerns raised by our local business community. The aim is to inform and guide local businesses of all sizes and across all sectors by inviting a variety of experts to speak about their experiences and to answer questions posed by the delegates.”
Further information about the Brexit panel discussion and registration details can be found on the Events section of the Somerset Chamber website, at https://business.somerset-chamber.co.uk/events/details/the-future-of-business-post-brexit-19565
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
