SMALL and medium sized businesses from across the Solent are being offered face-to-face guidance on preparing for Brexit at conference this week.

Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has announced that representatives from the EU Exit Business Intelligence and Readiness Directorate will attend its annual conference tomorrow to present to businesses.

They will give delegates an overview of what businesses need to consider in order to prepare, and the key actions that they need to consider and they will provide details of where businesses can get specific information.

Gary Jeffries, chairman of Solent LEP, said: “We’re thrilled to announce this very useful addition to the day’s agenda. It’ll give delegates – particularly the smaller and medium sized businesses – tangible steps they can follow to ensure they’re prepared for Brexit. At a time when things are changing day-by-day, we’re pleased to connect local businesses with government experts on this subject.”

Already more than 250 businesspeople have signed up to attend the Solent LEP Annual Conference, called ‘Countdown to Brexit.

The event, at the Hilton Ageas, will be hosted by BBC business editor Simon Jack and feature talks from leaders at:

• DP World

• Vikoma

• Metro Bank

• Irwin Mitchell

• Beyond Encryption

• PwC

It will also feature updates from Solent LEP itself and a Question Time-style panel, where delegates can pose their questions to the day’s speakers.

The Government representative will take part in the roundtable discussion called 'Supporting the region's businesses beyond BREXIT'. There are still places available for those who are registering to attend to take part in that discussion too.

The UK’s largest housebuilder, Barratt Homes, cyber security firm Beyond Encryption, law firm Irwin Mitchell and PR agency Lee Peck Media have been named as sponsors of the event.

Paul Holland, CEO of Beyond Encryption, said: “Collaboration is key, particularly in times of uncertainty, and we’re thrilled that the Solent LEP is bringing businesses together to discuss both the challenges and opportunities ahead. We’re looking forward to giving our insight into how cyber security will change in coming years and hope sharing our knowledge will help businesses in the Solent put themselves in pole position for the post-Brexit opportunities on the horizon.”

The event is free to attend and there is still time to register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/countdown-to-brexit-solent-lep-annual-conference-2019-registration-54582507750. To find out more visit www.solentlep.org.uk