International Appetite Fed at First Birmingham Brexit Event

With so many questions addressed at the first in a series of dedicated Brexit Seminars held in Birmingham, interest amongst its international delegation remains high, with the second Brexit Seminar planned for Wednesday 27^th June 2018.

Sectors and countries represented at February’s event encompassed food businesses and non-food importers, Embassies, logistics providers and consultants from the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, France and Asia.

Netherlands based food producer Conveni’s Head of Commercial UK and Ireland, Noel Reidy, commented: “Time really well spent, – Rob Hardy clearly explained how to navigate Brexit with practical, sound advice, without all of the political spin and jargon.”

Katrina McWhinnie from The McWhinnie Consultancy said: “Very positive information delivered in a clear and light-hearted manner. I will definitely be attending the next one.”

Organised jointly by multi temperature supply chain specialist Oakland International, which has depots and facilities based in the UK, Ireland and an overseas partner in Spain and Oakland Invicta, specialist Customs duty planners and Brexit advisors to the Institute for Government, InterTradeIreland, InvestNI and registered experts with the EU Commission on matters relating to international trade.

Key concerns and points dealt with included how to avoid port delays, classification of goods for customs purposes, rate of duty on goods and alternative customs regimes available, with delegates leaving the seminar having a much clearer picture of what Brexit means to them and how they can begin planning now, with the majority signed up for June, the second seminar in the series.

Oakland Invicta and Brexit Lead, Robert Hardy, commented: “Our message is positive and clear and sadly all too rare at present. Our experience from the ground up includes freight and vehicle management tools to make the whole process less painful. Most UK importers and exporters rely on the media for updates as to how Brexit will eventually look, with Brexit information ebbing and flowing constantly, as you would expect from any negotiation.

“Following our first seminar we have been invited to speak at similar events across Europe and to assist delegates gain AEO approval and develop Brexit strategies. We have shown what can and must be done now to prepare for life after Brexit, and how and why you should engage with suppliers across the world to identify possible and potential savings or future trade deals. There is a series of processes and procedures that exist today, you just need to know how to line up the dots!”

Details of the Brexit Seminar series can be found at: www.mybrexit.uk