Facing Brexit with confidence

Ian Girling - Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Businesses in Dorset are being urged to attend a top level conference to help them prepare for the impact of Brexit.

Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry is holding the major event with the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership and Bournemouth University.

Expert speakers will be on a panel at the Business Brexit Conference at the Hallmark Carlton Hotel in Bournemouth on Friday March 1.

The non-political event is aimed at giving businesses vital support as the clock ticks down towards the UK’s departure on March 29.

Speakers will include Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns, economist Professor Nigel Jump from Bournemouth University, HSBC regional director Dave Ford, Helen Stacey of Aspire Jobs, REIDsteel managing director Simon Boyd and Matthew Elliott, who is a political strategist and was chief executive of the Vote Leave campaign.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “The British Chambers of Commerce is deeply concerned about a number of critical issues and as an accredited chamber we fully endorse their position about the lack of clarity at this late stage.

“Dorset Chamber has been pushing for politicians to come together to do everything they can to secure the exit deal we need.

“We have also been offering support to help businesses prepare for some time and we are stepping this up with the Brexit conference.

“It is not a political event and we will not be debating the merits of leaving or remaining.

“We will be giving expert advice for businesses about how to best prepare for Brexit and information about how the economic landscape is likely to look after Brexit.”

The Purple HR sponsored event starts at 10.30am and continues until 1pm.

It will include an overview of the economy with challenges and opportunities from Bournemouth University strategic and analytical economist Professor Nigel Jump plus a Parliamentary update from Conor Burns.

There will also be advice and guidance from the EU Exit Business Intelligence and Readiness Directorate before the panel discussion.

Nicola Newman, who is chief executive of Ansbury Guidance, will chair the expert panel as they answer questions from the floor.

They will cover such subjects as international trade, exporting and employment law as well as the general economic outlook.

It is free to attend for members and non-members of the Dorset Chamber but delegates must register online.

They are also asked to fill in a questionnaire about Brexit as part of their joining instructions online to help inform the discussion at the conference.