Partner Article

Lancashire firms benefitted from Brexit planning and international trade advice

The International Trade Club (ITC) welcomed a number of organisations across Lancashire to its Breakfast Meeting for advice on final preparations for the UK’s departure from the EU and trading abroad.

Over 50 members and non-members attended the meeting on Thursday October 3rd, run by the International Business team at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce (ELCC) and jointly sponsored by local accountants and business advisers, Baldwins, a CogitalGroup company, and Forbes Solicitors.

Key speakers from the British Chamber of Commerce and leading regional companies shared their knowledge and experience in international markets and overcoming trading issues at The Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Accrington.

With Brexit just around the corner, experts included guest speaker Mike Spicer, Director of Policy at the British Chamber of Commerce, who gave his considerable insights on Brexit developments in Westminster and what companies should be doing to ensure a smooth transition.

He said: “The International Trade Club here in Accrington is a great opportunity for businesses to hear about the latest developments in international trade and to learn from each other. There were a lot of experienced exporters at the event and some who are not so experienced who had the chance to learn from their peers and it was a great event, I always enjoy coming to it.”

Guests also heard from business leaders Jonathan Berry, CEO of Fjelltopp, an international consultancy based in Padiham in Lancashire, and Nicholas Mohr, Managing Director of Peter East Associates, based in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

As CEO of Fjelltopp and winner of the ITC’s Newcomer to International Trade award, Jonathan explained how he began trading with the United Nations on behalf of software engineers across Europe.

As well as discussing challenges Fjelltopp faced while working with some of the most volatile regions of Africa and the Middle East, Jonathan engaged attendees with a brief introduction to the United Nations’ global marketplace and procurement process, offering further scope and advice for global export.

To ensure guests were up to speed on the uncertainties and misconceptions around dangerous goods, Nicholas from Peter East Associates highlighted shippers’ responsibilities, the framework for regulations, the problems firms may face and how to overcome them to ensure organisations are kept safe.

Mandy Lockett, International Business Director at ELCC, said: “This was a stimulating and thought-provoking event which raised many interesting questions, posed ideas and provided options for our guests to consider when planning their future growth and strategies, and was very well received. On behalf of the chamber I would like to say thank you again to all of the fantastic speakers.

“The ITC is committed to supporting the development of trade for Lancashire’s importers and exporters and to help develop their knowledge through sharing experiences with a team of specialists in the field of global commerce, especially at this uncertain time.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Harvey & Hugo .