A series of free events aimed at helping businesses prepare for Brexit are available to West Midlands businesses - and they will be coming thick and fast as the clock ticks down to October 31.
And that is unliklely to be the end of it, with Brexit set to be a hot topic at the chamber’s Annual Economic Conference in mid November.
Although the political situation is fluid, the chamber is in the midst of a huge campaign to help businesses prepare for Brexit, whatever form it will eventually take.
There is an informal 1:1 drop-in session with HSBC at Chamber House on October 23.
Other events are as follows:
Brexit briefing event - October 24
A free Brexit briefing event is taking place in Kenilworth on Thursday October 24.
Expert advice and information targeted to help small and medium sized enterprises will be offered at the free event at Holiday Inn from 10am to midday on Thursday October 24 - seven days before Brexit.
There are up to 200 places, the event includes a free networking lunch, and you can register for you free tickets
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Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is spearheading the initiative with backing from the government and chambers of commerce across the West Midlands.
This event is being run in partnership Reach Plc, publisher of BusinessLive and CoventryLive.
The panel will include David Burton (chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Brexit Club) , Matthew Davies (Wright Hassall) and David Hooper (Independent Freight).
It will be chaired by Marc Reeves, editor in chief of Reach Plc in the Midlands.
The free Brexit Briefing will be followed by lunch.
Brexit Resilience Roundtable: Transport and Logistics - October 25
Businesses working in the transport and logistics sectors across Coventry and Warwickshire are being urged to attend an event aimed at helping them prepare for Brexit on Friday October 25.
The Brexit Resilience Roundtable: Transport and Logistics is being held at MIRA Technology Institute in Nuneaton from 9am-11am.
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The event, which is being organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub, will provide a forum for discussion around how businesses can gear themselves up, develop de-risking strategies and understand how they can increase internal capacity to thrive in the face of uncertainty.
Expert speakers will provide useful insight, case studies and advice around how businesses can manage and implement innovation, diversification and organisational change to decrease the risk of external factors.
There will also be the chance to discuss with other professionals the challenges businesses are facing and to understand the opportunities in the transport and logistics sector.
Craig Humphrey, managing director at the CWLEP Growth Hub, said: “The transport and logistics sector employees thousands of people across Coventry and Warwickshire, generating millions of pounds in revenue every year.
“It is vital that businesses throughout the region are kept informed while the country prepares to leave the European Union.
“Many of these businesses operate across the European Union Customs Union and to that end there will be many questions about how Brexit will impact on operations.”
Mr Humphrey added: “I am urging all businesses in the region to attend the Brexit Resilience Roundtable.
“Not only will there be an opportunity to raise concerns with industry experts, the event will enable businesses to connect with one another to share experiences and best practices.
“It will also provide attendees with a chance to discuss the opportunities that exist in the transport and logistics sector.”
To find out more and register for this event click
Meet the Expert - October 25
This event giving businesses access to expert advice on Brexit takes place in Chamber House in Coventry on Friday October 25.
People are being given the opportunity to book a free one-to-one 20-minute advice session with an expert adviser to get advice on the steps they can take to prepare their business for Brexit.
The clinic is being organised by Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and funded by Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
The following advisers will be attending.
Customs & logistics - David Hooper
David Hooper has worked in international trade and economic development for 20 years, including five years working for HMRC.
He is now director of Hooper and Co International Trade Consultancy based in Nuneaton, who provide specialist advice, consultancy and training regarding customs and compliance related issues.
VAT adviser - Ellen Main-Jeffrey
With over 30 years VAT experience Ellen has worked with businesses of all shapes and sizes in many different sectors including property, retail, manufacturing, health, education and not for profit.
Ellen originally worked for HMRC (when it was HM Customs & Excise) for 10 years before moving into practice with the ‘big four’ - including 12 years at EY and 6 years with KPMG. Ellen is currently head of VAT with Burgis & Bullock offering consultancy and planning advice.
Her clients range from business start-ups and charities to multinational manufacturers and complex financial services providers.
International trade adviser - Liz Roberts
Locally based International trade advisers (ITAs) should be the first port of call for free and impartial export support.
An ITA can help develop an export strategy, access training masterclasses, link businesses to specialist export advisers and help them make the most of the Department for International Trade’s (DIT’s) global network to grow overseas.
Market research & selection - Frances Long
Frances helps businesses with identifying the most promising potential export markets for their goods or services.
Since 2014 she has helped over 425 companies in the West Midlands with export market selection, mainly through her work for the Department for International Trade.
She also offers export market desk research services, for companies looking to make an informed decision about the markets they are considering exporting to.
Previously Frances spent nearly 17 years working for market research agency Kantar Millward Brown, working with major blue-chip clients.
To find out more and book a session click
Brexit Workshop for Business Advisers & Intermediaries - October 30
This workshop takes place on Wednesday October 30 and is aimed at business advisers and intermediaries working across the C&W LEP area, who engage with private sector employers,
It takes place between 3pm and 5pm at the Best Western Plus Birmingham NEC Manor Hotel Meriden.
The speakers are experts from the sub-region who will examine the current and potential future challenges at a time when Brexit-related uncertainty is already having an impact on business confidence and activity.
It will also cover the many sources of help available locally and nationally, and there will be ample opportunity for to feedback.
To find out more and book a place click
Annual Ecomomic Conference - November 15
Brexit will be a key point of discussion at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber’s Annual Economic Conference on Friday November 15, from 8am to 2pm.
This unmissable event for business leaders and those involved in corporate affairs or public policy is being hosted by presenter and business journalist Naga Munchetty with a keynote speech from explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Tickets cost £50 for members and £65 for non-members. For more details for the Annual Economic Conference click
Free Business Brexit Health Check
Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is leading an initiative across the West Midlands to help regional businesses avoid dangerous pitfalls in the final days before Brexit.
They are working with the government - and Chambers of Commerce across the region - to offer a free online Business Brexit Health Check, which takes less than three minutes to complete - and you can take it
Other partners are Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and Herefords & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.
Business Brexit Checklist - 9 point check for West Midlands businesses
The 海角视频's impending departure from the European Union will bring change for businesses of every size and sector.
In the West Midlands this impact will be especially prevalent as the region is home to 247,000 EU citizens.
Latest figures from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce also show that the EU receives 47% of goods exported from the West Midlands and 62% of goods imported into the West Midlands come from the EU.
Here are nine key areas that West Midlands businesses should consider to prepare for change
1. Workforce - check mobility, qualifications and future skills needs;
2. Cross-border trade - training, driving abroad and potential delays are among areas to review;
3. Taxation/ insurance - double taxation, VAT and insurance could be affected;
4. Currency/ intellectual property/ contracts - these areas should be reviewed;
5. Regulatory compliance/ data protection - check latest advice on these requirements;
6. Sectors - the government has issued sectoral guidance documents for 36 sectors for a no deal scenario;
7. Countries - the DTI is offering guidance on exporting goods and services if there is no deal;
8. European funding and public procurement - important advice includes EIB Group loans; and
9. Business Brexit Health Check takes less than three minutes to complete - just click here
The health check will provide you with a free personalised report on how Brexit may impact your business, with tips and resources to help you get Brexit-ready.
Experts are also on hand to take phone calls from West Midlands businesses who wish to talk through any issues they are experiencing in the final days before Brexit on October 31 - you can call 02476 654321.
For more information click