EU Referendum: North West business leaders give their views

So the polls have now opened and people will today (June 23) decide whether or not the UK remains a member of the European Union.

For the last few months at least it’s seemed all anyone can talk about. Opportunities to make banal Hokey Cokey jokes have never been so numerous (it’s the best way to dissipate a heated discussion between vocal advocates of the In and Out arguments), and yet no-one’s under any illusions over the seriousness of the vote and the impact it will have on the UK’s future.

I was keen to find out what companies based here in the North West had to say about the whole palaver, so a couple of weeks ago I reached out and heard convincing arguments on both sides of the coin.

Here’s a roundup of the top comments from the region’s business leaders, outlining their views in the weeks building up to the referendum:

Dean Ward, technical director of Wirral-based design and manufacturing company Evoke Creative - Remain

“As a manufacturer exporting our goods within the EU and externally, I’m definitely in favouring of remaining. While some may argue that the legislative environment stifles trade, many of the tax incentives for Research & Development have originated in the EU.

“As a growing business these have been invaluable to us and far outweigh any negative effect the red tape may have.

“Through R&D tax credits we’re able to offset some of our investment in intellectual property against our profits, which is hugely advantageous to a fast-growth entrepreneurial business.

“At Evoke Creative we export our digital interactive kiosks globally, with McDonald’s and Google in the USA being two of our biggest customers. Nevertheless, being able to sell in to fellow EU countries, with no additional tariffs or barriers, is incredibly important to us and fellow UK manufacturers.

“The ability to freely recruit skilled European labour is another reason to stay. Our customers continually ask us to provide innovative solutions involving technology that requires niche product design and manufacturing skills which are not always easy to source in the UK.”

George Downing, founder of Liverpool-based property group Downing - Leave

“I am in favour of an out vote – the UK should be In charge of its own destiny. The red tape and financial cost that goes hand in hand with our relationship with Brussels is something that the country can do without. There may well be some disruption to the markets in which we operate – and indeed my own company – but we have to weigh short term upheaval against the long term economic benefits that accompany being able to act in the country’s best interests.

“We’re the only country in the EU that exports more outside of Europe than we sell into it – our bold, outward thinking trade priorities aren’t shared by Brussels policy makers.

“The idea that that we would struggle to trade with Europe just doesn’t hold water in my opinion. The Swiss do just fine and other European countries aren’t going to stop wanting to sell us their products – the Germans will still want us to buy BMWs and Mercedes from them.

“Regardless of the outcome, what’s crucial is that the uncertainty stifling the markets this year doesn’t go on – the vote on the 23rd can’t come soon enough.”

Mike Hill, chief executive of Manchester-based careers advice firm Prospects - Remain

“Cross border collaboration is essential for higher education and business to thrive. Leaving the EU would be potentially disastrous for the graduate jobs market, on a large multinational and local SME level.

“For business, being part of the EU enables access to this market and through trade deals with developed and developing economies. There will be reduction in UK investment as people move to invest in continental Europe, particularly Ireland.

“The last recession evidenced that the graduate labour market is particularly vulnerable to issues in the financial market, which will happen if Frankfurt takes over as Europe’s financial capital. The ability to recruit overseas talent will also be quashed.

“For higher education, the flow of talented young people into our system at an undergraduate and postgraduate level would be severely affected with a knock-on effect on the viability of some masters courses, which rely heavily on overseas participants, as well as diminution of the skills and abilities of UK domiciled graduates.

“A Brexit will affect the ability of young people to work and learn in the EU. We will be slamming the door in the face of some of our most motivated and talented individuals. The free movement of properly regulated labour is an immense benefit to our graduates as they move into and through the labour market.

“Our children will rue the day if the UK votes against its long-term interests to leave Europe. My own children are 23 and 19, and I don’t want to see their long-term life chances shrunk by short term considerations.”

Philip Brennan, head of Chester-based comparison site Businesscomparison.com - Undecided

“At Businesscomparison.com we’re still waiting for campaigners to give a definitive answer on what new legislation would mean for small-and-medium-sized businesses in the UK should we leave the EU.

“Currently there are suggestions of benefits and disadvantages on either side, however the details are sketchy which does nothing for small business confidence on either side.

“If anything ‘stay’ as it gives the market confidence as businesses are uncertain about what leaving could mean to the UK. We have heard of the uncertainty affecting businesses taking up finance but also that the appetite of lenders has been reduced due to this lack of confidence.

“The British economy is growing, if not as fast as some would like, but I don’t think many businesses want to gamble on the exit.

“I am interested to see what would happen if we would be able to support British industry and infrastructure with the money currently given to the EU and what would happen if we gave a bias to British businesses when applying for government tenders.

However, with 45% of Britain’s trade being within the EU, we think it would be a gamble to leave without knowing what trade agreements would be in place and the effect these may have.“

Mike Turner, owner of Lake District- and Yorkshire-based attraction Treetop Nets - Remain

“Europe contains the Mediterranean and the Alps, I like French bread, Italian coffee and Belgium beer, I’m voting in.”

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