West Midlands businesses not afraid of change over Brexit

With at least two years of exit negotiations to come before the UK can quit the European Union, businesses big and small are urging action to calm the uncertainty after the vote.

Bank of England governor Mark Carney announced he was making £250 billion available to support markets, as he pledged that the Bank 'will not hesitate to take additional measures as required as markets adjust and the UK economy moves forward'.

And West Midlands-based car maker Jaguar Land Rover, which had backed the Remain campaign, insisted: "As of today, nothing has changed for us or the rest of the British automotive industry."

The Indian-owned company added: "For Jaguar Land Rover, today is just business as usual. We are a British business with a strong manufacturing base in this country, we call Britain home and we remain committed to all our manufacturing sites."

Martin Bennett, CEO of HomeServe Membership, the household insurance and repairs firm with 1,200 working at its Walsall headquarters, said: "As we have said throughout this process, we are confident that HomeServe Group and our European businesses will continue to thrive."

The president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce called for the business community to work together. Adrian Wright said: "Naturally there will be a level of uncertainty, therefore strong and committed leadership is vital to unite the country."

Geraldine Bolton, operations director of the West Bromwich-based Confederation of British Metalforming, said the upcoming EU negotiations offered 'an opportunity' for a better deal for UK manufacturing firms.

At Birmingham Airport, chief executive Paul Kehoe said the Referendum result would have no impact on day to day operations.

Mark Wingfield, managing director of A&M EDM, precision engineers in Smethwick and Express & Star SME of the year, said: "The leave decision will not change A&M's fundamental strengths or those of Midlands manufacturing." Tony Hague, boss at PP Electrical Systems in Cheslyn Hay, added: "We

will continue to be positive in our approach to winning new work."

The president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce called for the business community to work together in the wake of the vote for the UK to exit the European Union.

Adrian Wright, who is also marketing director of West Bromwich Albion, said: "Following the EU Referendum result, we need to ensure we have the right people in place now to take the UK forward. Naturally there will be a level of uncertainty, therefore strong and committed leadership is vital to unite the country.

"We need to join together as a business community at this time, as a chamber we will be working to support our members and work closely with the British Chambers of Commerce and chamber network to champion business requirements."

The British chambers' acting director general Dr Adam Marshall said: "The immediate priorities for UK business are market stability and political clarity.

"Some businesspeople will be pleased with the result, and others resigned to it. Yet all companies will expect swift, decisive, and coordinated action from the government and the Bank of England to stabilise markets if trading conditions or the availability of capital change dramatically.

"Businesses need action to maintain economic stability, a timeline for exit, and answers to their questions about doing business during this historic transition."

Matthew Hammond, Midlands regional chairman of professional services network PricewaterhouseCoopers, said the UK's decision to leave the EU would have significant implications for businesses.

"We are already working with our clients and our people to support them as those implications are understood," he said.

"History has taught us that UK business is adaptable and innovative when confronted with new challenges and opportunities."

Mr Hammond added: "It's important that the local business community shows leadership to drive the Midlands' regional economy through this period of uncertainty, while also demonstrating the confidence to embrace the opportunities that come with change."