Get set now to do business when the UK’s trading with the EU changes on January 1

KEY CONTACTS

• Make sure you’re ready gov.uk/transition
• Data protection and transfers gov.uk/guidance/using-personal-data-after-brexit
• EU and EEA countries gov.uk/eu-eea

• Selling goods to the EU? Prepare for new customs procedures.
• Travelling to the EU for work purposes? Check if you need a visa or work permit, and apply if necessary.
• Employing overseas nationals? Prepare your business for the implementation of the new immigration system.
• Receiving personal data from contacts in the EEA? You may need to take extra steps to ensure that data can continue to flow legally at the end of the transition period.
• Providing services in the EU? Ensure your qualifications are recognised by EU regulations to be able to practice or service clients in the EU.

NEW CHALLENGE: If you are selling goods to the EU, prepare for new customs procedures.

‘Businesses must prepare for the end of the UK transition period in a planned and coordinated way’

Procurement expert Laura Hobbs has led the way for the construction industry to prepare for the end of the UK transition period. Laura is the UK and Ireland One Procurement Programme Lead at Royal BAM Group, which is among the biggest construction firms covering England, Wales and Scotland. She said: “We have created a snapshot to give a clear picture for the industry where we believe pinch points are.” Laura explained: “I decided to pull my peers together, all the other main contractors that are part of the Construction Senior Leaders Group which I chair. We decided to write one set of questions for the end of UK transition and also share the workload – to go to all those different product categories key to construction.“As main contractors we deal a lot with sub-contractors so we need to ensure the message gets further into the supply chain.

LEADING THE WAY: Laura Hobbs

”The Construction Senior Leaders Group also includes representatives from Skanska, Costain, Murphys, Laing O’Rourke, housebuilders Berkeley and clients including Highways UK and Clarion Housing Group.  Manufacturers are employing new customs experts to help them get in position for the new start, creating more strategic programmes to negate any currency fluctuations.  Laura worked with Build UK, receiving useful information around imports and exports from the UK Government.  “Information is the key and preparation is essential. The organisations we work with have been preparing for this for a long time so they are on their final rehearsal now.  “To be able to give your own business the comfort you are going into this in a planned, coordinated way, it is key for people to start the exercise sooner rather than later,” stressed Laura.  She said the new start will bring opportunities to invest in the UK supply chain. “We always see the positives and, definitely for the UK, there are opportunities coming.”