Irish/Scottish business exchange group, Causeway, is kick starting 2018 with an event on 18th January designed to empower business leaders to embrace change in times of uncertainty.
Chaired by Terry Murden, editor of Daily Business, the event will hear from two leading strategists – Brigid Whoriskey and Tom Byrne – on how to market, engage and influence customers post Brexit.
Consul General of Ireland to Scotland, Mark Hanniffy, will provide an overview of the current Brexit negotiations, followed by an open floor discussion on how businesses can take competent business decisions in light of changing operating environments.
Taking place on Thursday 18th January from 6pm to 8pm, the free-to-attend event will be hosted by leading communications agency, Represent at its offices on Calton Road.
Speaking about the event, Brigid Whoriskey, managing director of Envision Business Solutions said: “The disruptive business environment could be a real opportunity for business to make significant changes for the better. However, it is important to consider the impact of external and internal factors when making decisions. This event is designed to encourage senior management to consider the potential and what needs to be put in place to become Brexit ready.”
Judith O’Leary, managing director of Represent, added: “Clients are without doubt concerned about the impact of Brexit. Our role is to assist businesses in defining what their future looks like and communicating this positively to their various stakeholders. Brigid and Tom are experts in change management and have the right experience to draw upon to make this session interactive with practical takeaways.”
To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-only-certainty-is-uncertainty-embracing-change-to-drive-prosperity-tickets-39657017206
A majority of those in England who voted for the UK to leave the European Union are willing to risk the breakup of the UK to make Brexit happen, according to new research from Cardiff University and the University of Edinburgh, released today [Sunday 1st October].
Eighty-eight per cent of leave voters felt that a ‘yes’ vote in a second referendum on Scottish independence was an acceptable price to pay in order to “take back control.” A similarly high proportion, 81%, also felt that destabilising the Northern Ireland peace process would be worthwhile to see the UK exit the European Union.
The findings, taken from the latest Future of England survey, will be presented tomorrow, Monday 2nd October, at a fringe meeting of the Conservative Party’s Annual Conference in Manchester.
Conservative supporting leave voters are also more likely to countenance the breakup of the UK with 92% prepared to accept Scotland voting for independence (compared to 78% of Labour supporting leave voters). By the same token, 87% of Conservative supporting leave voters would be willing to risk jeopardising Northern Ireland’s peace process (compared to 67% of Labour supporting Leave voters).
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Professor Ailsa Henderson, Professor of Political Science at the University of Edinburgh, said:
“It’s evident from the data just how high a price many leave voters would be willing to pay to make Brexit a success. What’s perhaps most remarkable is the substantial proportion of Conservative supporters that are willing to risk the breakup of the UK to see Brexit happen”.
Professor Richard Wyn Jones, Director of Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre, added:
“For well over a century, the Conservative and Unionist Party has been the party most associated with defending the Union. But with such a high proportion of the party’s supporters willing to sacrifice the Union to ‘take back control’, it might well be time to ask whether the party still lives up to that name”.
On the occasion of the visit of a high-level Finnish business delegation to London, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), and the Finnish Chambers of Commerce (Kauppakamari) are today (14 September 2017) jointly calling for UK and EU negotiators to minimise trade barriers – and prioritise shared economic ties beyond Brexit.
There are strong commercial links between the UK and Finland: the UK imports £2.6bn of goods and services from Finland, and exports £2.7bn of goods and services to the country.
Science and Innovation are areas of very active cooperation between the two countries, with the UK and Finland working closely together on life sciences, digital, and low carbon technologies. There are a number of partnerships between the two countries, many of which are facilitated by the EU Horizon 2020 strategy.
The future of these projects, the long-term ease of trading between the UK and Finland, as well as the future status of Finnish nationals in Britain and British nationals in Finland, are all questions where British and Finnish businesses want negotiators to deliver clarity as soon as possible.
Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“As we welcome our Finnish colleagues to London, the vibrant trade links between our countries are yet another reminder of the importance of reducing any possible future trade barriers between the UK and the EU.
“Businesses want to minimise the risk to free-flowing trade with partners like Finland, and to avoid the creation of artificial new barriers that stop companies collaborating across boundaries. The on-going Brexit negotiations must seek to provide businesses with clear answers on practical issues including customs procedures, health and safety checks, and tax rules – and guarantee the status of nationals resident on either side.
“The links between innovative British and Finnish businesses are an important reminder that the Brexit negotiations must also deliver a framework for future collaboration between the UK and the EU on science and innovation.”
Dr Risto Penttilä, CEO of Finland Chamber of Commerce, said:
“The UK has been one of Finland’s strongest allies in promoting free trade and pragmatic reforms in the EU. The objective of the Brexit negotiations must be a European wide market that includes the UK, Switzerland and the EEA countries.
“Brexit must not lead to new obstacles or increased costs for companies from the UK, Finland or other EU countries. The UK is one of our most important trading partners, and a strong British economy will benefit both Europe and Finland.
“The Brexit process has reached a point where committed political leadership is needed both in the UK and the EU. Businesses, as well as citizens, need a clear roadmap for the years to come to ensure a smooth transition.”
Colliers International has welcomed assurances by ministers that the Scottish Government intends to implement the vast majority of the recommendations of the Barclay Review on Business Rates.
Louise Daly, associate director of rating at Colliers International in Scotland, said: “When the Barclay Review was published last month, we backed it strongly and said the Government must implement it swiftly, not simply focusing on revenue raising aspects or miss a golden opportunity to create a significantly fairer Business Rates system. Although ministers are understandably and rightly wary of implementing some measures designed to raise revenues lost elsewhere, the indication seems to be that all the core measures designed to make for a fairer business environment in Scotland will be adopted, and we wholeheartedly welcome that.
“The remit of the Barclay Review was that it had to be revenue neutral, but from a point of view of enhancing and reforming the business rates system to support economic growth and long term investment and reflect changing marketplaces. That should never have been of prime importance and we therefore urge the Scottish Parliament to back the measures being put forward by the Minister.”
John Webber, head of rating at Colliers International, added: “The Scottish Government is to be commended for reacting to the Barclay Review so quickly. While English businesses and landlords are still waiting for news on the length or revaluation cycles following recommendations made over a year ago, Scotland has seized the momentum. These measures, especially the move to a three-year revaluation cycle, could have a significant effect in terms of making Scotland more business friendly and encouraging companies to settle North of the Border.
“However, most of these measures will not help businesses in the short term and with continued uncertainty over Brexit the Scottish Government should be encouraged to implement these changes before 2022.”
Trade mark specialist Marks & Clerk today (August 24) said businesses should still seek expert advice ahead of Brexit, despite some clarity over industry issues post-split.
Campbell Newell, Partner from Marks & Clerk’s Edinburgh office, who attended the recent International Trademark Association (INTA) conference in Barcelona, revealed massive strides have been made to secure a plan for trade mark owners post-Brexit.
It’s now almost certain those with a European Union trade mark (EUTM) will simply see their registrations be replicated to the UK register, as administered by the UKIPO. Essentially this means owners of EUTMs will have ongoing protection for their trade marks in the UK as well as the rest of the EU.
Speaking today (August 24), Campbell said: “There has been a lot of speculation as to what will happen post-Brexit. It now seems highly likely that on the point of Brexit businesses having EU trade mark registration will have a UK registration as well as their existing EU registration.
“This is good news in that it brings certainty for businesses and for trade mark owners. There is also the added bonus in that there is unlikely to be any official cost to the process.
“While this is all great news for trade mark owners in the sense that those with EUTMs will be faced with a very straight forward process, it should also be caveated with the awareness that there will be a number of very complex issues to come out of Brexit, which as we know is a fluid and ever changing process, so it’s advisable to seek expert guidance.
“We have teams at the ready across the UK, Luxembourg and France to guide businesses through the process around trade marks post-Brexit.”
A new survey conducted across the UK by the British Chambers of Commerce has highlighted business’s need for stability in terms of our trading relationship with the EU, regardless of the state of negotiations at the time of the UK’s exit from the EU in March 2019.
Key survey findings include:
• 68% of Scottish and UK respondents believed that there should be a transition period of at least 3 years following the UK’s exit from the EU on 29 March 2019
• 61% of Scottish respondents felt that the UK should remain in both the single market and the Customs Union, compared to 53% of respondents across the UK
Commenting, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Scottish businesses value our trading links with the European Union, as they do with our other major trading partners, and this survey shows that businesses are serious about maintaining a relationship with Europe that continues to enable them to trade as easily as possible, with no financial tariffs and an absolute minimum of regulatory barriers. The EU may have fallen behind the rest of the world in terms of the value of Scotland’s exports but it remains a vital export destination, particularly as Scotland seeks to grow the number of businesses trading internationally.
“This survey also clearly shows that Scottish businesses do not want to be facing a cliff edge in two years’ time when the UK will leave the EU under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The vast majority of business people who responded to this survey felt that a transitional period of at least three years would be appropriate in order to allow trade to continue as normal until a deal is struck to govern our future trading relationship with the EU.
“If Scotland and the UK’s economic needs are to be satisfied, then business must be listened to during these crucial negotiations.”
One month on from the General Election, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today (Monday) publishes a post-election survey of over 2,400 companies, which shows that while businesses have a range of views on their preferred objectives for the UK in Brexit negotiations, there is almost no support to conclude UK-EU talks without a trade deal.
Asked to consider which option came closest to their view about what the UK’s Brexit negotiation objectives should be, the survey – carried out just after the election – showed:
• 2% said leave the Single Market and Customs Union, and rely on WTO rules for trade (leave without a trade deal with the EU)
• 34% said remain in the Single Market and Customs Union
• 13% said remain in Customs Union only (no hard borders or tariffs, but limited scope to negotiate trade agreements with third countries)
• 11% said remain in the Single Market only (accept EU regulations and rules in return for full access to market)
• 28% said a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and a customs agreement (the government’s pre-election objectives, set at the Prime Minister’s Lancaster House speech)
Respondents were also asked about a transition period, and which of the following options they believe is best for their business:
• 46% said ‘a transition period of three years’
• 22% said ‘a transition period of longer than three years’
• 17% said ‘no transition period’
Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Our results make it clear that there are a range of business views on what the UK should be seeking in a final deal with the EU, but there is near-universal consensus that a deep and comprehensive agreement is needed. ‘No deal’ isn’t seen as a viable option. Businesses want a pragmatic settlement on the practical, real-world issues that affect their operations, not arbitrary political red lines.
“By more than three to one, businesses want a transition period on the way to a final agreement with the EU. This is critical to prevent firms facing the prospect of repeated, costly adjustments to new trading conditions. If companies have to change their business model once in 2019 and again several years thereafter, the competitiveness and investment potential of our firms will be undermined.
“Getting transition arrangements on the negotiations agenda as quickly as possible would give businesses – many of whom are considering big investment decisions now – the confidence to press ahead.”
Scottish Chambers of Commerce has welcomed the additional clarity provided by the Prime Minister around the UK Government’s proposals on the rights of EU nationals to remain in the UK.
Commenting, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“EU nationals play a vital role in Scottish business and in the Scottish economy, and our businesses have long called for clarity on the status of EU nationals in the workforce in the wake of the vote for the UK to leave the European Union. That is why the Scottish Chambers of Commerce network called for a deal on the rights of EU citizens in the UK, and UK citizens in the EU, within the first 100 days of this Government
“We therefore welcome the additional clarity provided by the Prime Minister on the UK Government’s offer to the EU in respect of EU nationals. It demonstrates a clear intention to secure the futures of those EU citizens who are already living and working in the UK, whilst providing a path for those arriving or yet to arrive in the UK. It will now be vital for politicians in the UK and the EU to hammer out a deal on this as soon as possible in order to give business the confidence that their colleagues and staff’s futures are secure.
“However, this also serves to underline the need for a plan on the UK’s future system of migration. Artificial and arbitrary limits for future migration will not work for business and we require an assurance that future migration targets will reflect the sectoral and geographical needs of business and the economy for skilled talent.”
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement on the future work and residency rights of EU citizens in the UK, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network called for the guarantee of EU citizens from the outset and it is good news to see the Prime Minister finally guarantee these rights and provide clarity to Scottish business. This news will be welcomed by all sectors and will enable us to plan ahead, whilst also providing a level of stability to EU citizens and their families. These are the initial building blocks that need to be put in place and now we must look towards a longer-term solution in terms of migration to the UK that is firmly based on business and economic need.
“We would also urge reciprocity from our EU counterparts to guarantee the rights of the 1.2 million UK citizens currently working or living in the EU, ensuring those businesses that are trading within the EU market can continue to grow and run their business operations.
“This announcement is a good start to the Brexit negotiations but there is still a long way to go to address business priorities on issues such as access to single market, tariffs and our relationship with the EU bloc.”
On the day negotiations begin on the UK’s departure from the European Union, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“As Brexit talks commence, UK firms want practical economic issues to be at the heart of the negotiations. Business wants an atmosphere of pragmatism, civility and mutual respect to characterise this complex process.
“Over the coming weeks and months, the UK government must demonstrate how it is working to address the everyday considerations of British companies in the talks – who can they hire, whether their goods will be stopped at borders, and whether they will have to cope with extra costs.
“Parties on both sides should begin the negotiations by seeking to guarantee the rights of EU citizens already in the UK, and UK citizens in the EU-27. Swift agreement on citizens’ rights would remove a highly emotive and politicised issue from the complex road ahead, while at the same time ending a year-long source of uncertainty for individuals, communities and employers alike.
“It’s important to remember that negotiations on some of the most crucial business issues, such as the nature of the future UK-EU trading relationship, won’t begin straight away. We will continue to campaign for the priorities and concerns of business communities across the UK as negotiations continue – and ensure that their practical priorities are front and centre.”
