BREXIT: WHAT NEXT?

With the industry’s main exhibition and networking opportunity, Merchandise World taking place in Farnborough on 12 September, it makes sense to use the gathering to share advice and air views on one of the biggest issues facing business in Britain – Brexit. The BPMA Brexit Summit takes place on the afternoon prior to Merchandise World. With Britain set to leave the EU on 29 March 2019, businesses have only six months to prepare for an event that still has many question marks around it. Some businesses are already starting to act. According to CIPS, 63% of EU businesses are expected to move their supply chains out of the UK. Anglo-Dutch brand giant Unilever has opted for Rotterdam over London for its headquarters.

Airbus has warned that a Brexit no-deal could see it leave the UK. To help its members better understand and plan for Brexit, the BPMA has brought along four keynote speakers to share their knowledge with BPMA members:

• Allie Renison, (pictured top left) head of Europe and Trade Policy at the Institute of Directors
• Christopher Mills, (top right), UKIP spokesman on business, and managing partner of Harwood Private Equity. He sits on the board of 25 companies.
• Lesley Batchelor, (bottom right) director general of the Institute of Export & International Trade
• Tom Brake, (bottom left) Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington, and Lib Dem spokesman for Exiting the EU.