IN ASSOCIATION WITH
We invited some business professionals to comment on the impact of the historic Brexit vote on their business life and the Thames Valley’s future – the ‘temperature’ of our local economy. From their responses, it was clear that the key question remains ...
Brexit means Brexit, but what does it mean for Thames Valley businesses?
Roy Azoulay
Despite prime minister Theresa May’s mantra that ‘Brexit means Brexit’ there is no clarity yet of what Brexit will actually mean for businesses and how they can plan for the future. We are very much on a journey into the unknown ... but judging by the mood of our contributors, a journey of optimistic trepidation.
Thames Valley Berkshire LEP director Robin Barnes spoke for many when he commented: “While political uncertainties prevail and the global economy continues to fluctuate, it simply has to be business as usual for our LEP.”
Robin Barnes
The LEP will press ahead with implementation of its Strategic Economic Plan in order to sustain the Thames Valley Berkshire economy, he added.
Adrian Dray added: “Nobody knows what outside the EU means – there are so many potential different
outcomes.” Quercus continues to talk to its clients and international partners to gauge sentiment, but “. . our own medium-term investment plans have not changed and we are continuing to complete deals post-Brexit.”
As chairman of a corporate and commercial catering company, Tim Jones highlighted that the future for the service sector largely depended upon the post-Brexit success of clients across the business and industry spectrum.
Helping clients to build sales and control costs would place everyone in a stronger position to ride any storm. CH & Co Group is currently working closely with suppliers to limit or negate any inflationary impact caused by Brexit currency fluctuations.
Looking forward, talent retention and investment in improved infrastructure came top of the Brexit agenda for most of our respondents.
OUR INFORMED PROFESSIONALS ... Roy Azoulay: Head of Oxford University Startup Incubator Robin Barnes: Director, Thames Valley Berkshire LEP Adrian Dray: Partner, Quercus Corporate Finance Tim Jones: Chairman, CH & Co Group Andrew Thomson: Partner, HMT LLP corporate finance
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businessmag.co.uk
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2016
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