Over 15,000 businesses have received free advice from the West Midlands’ Growth Hubs following the UK’s departure from the EU – and that is set to continue.
A 14-week project run by Growth Hubs throughout the region working with the West and East Midlands Department for International Trade (DIT) was launched to ensure companies had the most up-to-date information and advice to make the most of the new trading opportunities.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub has led the initiative with its colleagues at Greater Birmingham and Solihull, the Black Country, Worcestershire Business Central, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, and The Marches by establishing a comprehensive website and running events and workshops which were due to end last month.
But it has been such a success, the West Midlands’ Growth Hubs and the DIT are to continue their collaboration to assist businesses throughout 2021 and beyond to deal with the changing challenges related to the EU Exit, and to explore new markets accessible from the new trading agreements with other countries outside of the EU.
Craig Humphrey, the Managing Director of the CWLEP Growth Hub, said the volume of businesses who had been provided with advice and information highlighted there was a need for continued support.
He said: “The EU Exit project has helped 15,000 businesses across the West Midlands gain a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face now the UK is no longer part of the EU.
“The West Midlands’ Growth Hubs have worked as one collaborative team with the West Midlands’ DIT which has forged close working relationships, and a greater mutual understanding of the services available to businesses to tackle the combined challenges of the EU Exit and Covid-19.
“The current project ended on March 31 but the Growth Hubs and DIT are going to continue working together to provide the local and national business support which is needed to navigate through the challenges raised by the EU Exit as well as provide information on the new opportunities which are now available through the trading agreements with none-EU countries.
“That means we are going to continue to hold workshops and events with experts in various fields ranging from movement of people to VAT to provide businesses in the West Midlands with the information they need to make the right decisions for the long-term future of their companies which will also boost the economy.”
Ian Harrison, Head of Exports for the West and East Midlands at the Department for International Trade, said: “It has been fantastic to hear that the EU Exit Project has been such a success. The Department for International Trade in the Midlands and the Growth Hubs have always had a very close relationship, but this project has solidified that with the collaboration now being rolled out for the rest of 2021.
“I would encourage any business to get in touch for help in navigating the changes in terms of the EU Exit, and also to receive support in developing a strategic approach to the research and selection of new markets for exports to countries outside of the EU.”
