Export help at hand as EU transition deadline looms

A new programme of expert events to help businesses across Shropshire prepare for change following the UK’s exit from the EU is being launched later this month.

The EU Exit Programme will feature a series of free online events giving expert advice on a wide range of issues relating to the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, when the UK’s current trading arrangements with the EU end.

The events are being managed by Shropshire Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Marches Growth Hub Shropshire, and are open to businesses from all parts of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Emma Chapman, Marches Growth Hub manager, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Shropshire Chamber in this collaborative effort to support the county’s business community as they face wide-ranging changes in the business environment.

“The programme will provide the latest information across a number of areas including recruitment and employment, trading relationships and regulation, and is being provided free of charge to businesses in the Shropshire area.

“It will also offer advice and support aimed at boosting the resilience of businesses, encouraging companies to think about how to manage the risks and pursue the opportunities they encounter.”

The programme gets under way at 9am on 25 November with a 90-minute session covering data protection, HR, recruitment and employment of foreign nationals.

Paul Bennett of law firm Bennett Briegal will examine the implications of our EU exit on data protection, Jess Bailey of Team 4U will give an update on legislation surrounding the recruitment of foreign nationals and Niamh Kelly, of the HR Dept Shropshire, will talk about the HR issues which are likely to arise during and after the transition.

To book a place on the event visit: https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/calendar/view/3185_EU_Exit_Programme_Data_Protection_HR_Recruitment_and_Employment_of_Foreign_Nationals

On 26 November from 10am-11am, Gerti Willis, culture and communications adviser for the Department for International Trade, will look at the way different cultures differ, how to make sure your online content speaks to your chosen target audience and whether your web content is ready for translation.

To register to attend this webinar visit:  https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/calendar/view/3163__Understand_the_Impact_of_Culture_and_Communication_when_Exporting

Later on 26 November, Dave Williams of insurance experts Henshalls and Stephen Geary of intellectual property law firm Bawden & Associates will tackle the issues of intellectual property, insurance, double taxation & import VAT in the wake of our exit from the EU.

To register for this session, which runs from 2pm-3pm, visit: https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/calendar/view/3187_EU_Exit_Programme_Intellectual_Property_Insurance_double_taxation_and_Import_VAT

On 27 November from 10am-11am, Wesley Lovett, head of business development at BCRS Business Loans and Anita Roberts of Santander, will delve into the various types of funding available to businesses in the new trading environment, delivering some top tips and also taking questions.

You can register for this session at https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/calendar/view/3188_EU_Exit_Programme_Funding_Options_for_your_business

The two final events are both on 1 December.

From 10am-11am there’s a chance to start the countdown to the new arrangements with a webinar full of practical information and advice on what businesses need to do now.

Hosted by Customs expert Liam Smyth, the event will guide businesses through the complexity of change in our import and export processes, systems and controls from 1 January 2021.

Registration for the event, organised by the British Chambers of Commerce, is at https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/calendar/view/3189_30_days_to_go_Countdown_to_Change_ChamberCustoms_Series_Delivered_by_BCC_

Finally, from 12pm to 1pm there is a chance to get up to speed with the help on offer from the Department for International Trade – including a local case study from a company which is successfully exporting.

DIT adviser Gail Jennings and Ingrid Griffiths, export documentation manager, will lead the session which can be booked at https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/calendar/view/3190_EU_Exit_Programme_Introduction_into_DIT_Services_and_Export_Documentation

About the Marches Growth Hub

• The Marches Growth Hub brings together all national and local business support in one place for the first time and is fully aligned to the Government’s ‘Business is GREAT’ campaign.
• Backed by the UK Government, the Business Support Helpline provides free, impartial business support and signposting services to businesses in England. Give them a call today on freephone 0800 998 1098.
• This is supported by physical hubs in Telford at the University of Wolverhampton’s Telford Innovation Campus, at Skylon Park in Hereford and at the Food Enterprise Centre in Shrewsbury.

Growth Hubs and the Growth Hub Network

• The 38 Local Enterprise Partnership led Growth Hubs across England bring together and simplify access to national and local business support. Supported by Government, Growth Hubs ensure that no matter the size, sector or maturity of a business they provide locally tailored business support and advice to direct businesses to the most appropriate organisations to assist with their specific requests.