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Q&A with Liberal Democrat West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Metro Mayor candidate Oli Henman

Editor's note: earlier this month, the Bristol Initiative hosted the first hustings for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority's next Metro Mayor with candidates from the Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties in attendance. We invited all candidates to do a Q&A on our blog, and here we speak with candidate Oli Henman of the Liberal Democrats.

Oli Henman

21 March, 2025

Business West

BCC Driving International Trade Conference: 20th March

BCC Director General calls for ‘new settlement with our closest neighbours’ Director General Shevaun Haviland calls on the Government to push for a new settlement with the EU to support British businesses to expand and drive growth. More than 400 businesses are expected at the British Chambers of Commerce’s 2025 Driving International Trade Conference in Central London. Haviland is speaking ahead of the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP, who is giving a keynote address to businesses, as well as representatives from more than 30 Chambers of Commerce from around the UK and internationally. BCC will take a delegation of leading British businesses to Washington, alongside Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP to meet with Ambassador Mandelson. The Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Shevaun Haviland, is urging the Government to accelerate efforts to reset UK/EU relations to quickly remove trade barriers for businesses. She will make the plea at the BCC Driving International Trade Conference 2025 on Thursday March 20 in Central London. In her keynote address, Haviland will warn that as the world order shifts, with unique geopolitical challenges, UK businesses are calling out for a pragmatic, growth-driven package of improvements to the UK/EU trading relationship. She will also highlight the importance of strengthening UK/US trading relations, announcing that the BCC will lead a delegation of some of Britain’s largest businesses to Washington, alongside the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, to meet with Ambassador Mandelson.

Fiona Parsons

20 March, 2025

Business West

Don’t leave your temporary exports to luck: Use an ATA Carnet

St Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration from Dublin to New York or anywhere in between. But when it comes to temporarily exporting goods to Ireland, don’t leave things to chance! Since the UK left the European Union, moving exhibition stands, professional equipment, or samples across borders can be confusing. The last thing you want is delays at customs, unexpected fees, or worse—goods stuck at the border! Now that would be unlucky! So, how can you take your goods out of the UK and into Ireland temporarily? belfast_port.jpg The answer is simple: an ATA Carnet - your “passport” for goods An ATA Carnet works like a “passport” for goods, allowing you to temporarily export and then re-import your items. Using an ATA Carnet will not only help you avoid costly duties and taxes when you visit Ireland but will make the journey into and out of the country go much more smoothly. This is because an ATA Carnet acts as a ‘guarantee’ to foreign countries/territories that all goods will be re-exported within a certain time-frame.

Helen Hodgson

17 March, 2025

Business West

BCC Press Release: US Tariffs Hit UK Business 

Reacting to the introduction of 25 percent tariffs on exports of UK steel and aluminium to the United States, William Bain, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Head of Trade Policy, said: “This is a difficult day for trans-Atlantic trade and plunges businesses, in both the US and UK, into a new age of uncertainty. “Products made with UK steel and aluminium play an important part in many supply chains in the US. Both sides will now be facing up to negotiations on how the burden of these new tariffs will affect businesses in both countries. “Despite this action, UK firms will want to keep trading with their customers and clients in the US and vice versa. Our commercial, investment and trading relationships remain strong. “Tariffs mean prices and costs will inevitably go up and this is a lose-lose scenario for consumers, businesses, and economic growth. More tariffs are also on the agenda for the start of next month which will add fresh uncertainty into the mix. “BCC research shows that 63% of our manufacturing exporters were concerned about the impact of tariffs before their introduction. “But today’s setback does not mean we have reached the end of the road in terms of negotiations. Tariffs can be lifted at any time. “Businesses will be looking to the UK government to continue dialogue, with the US, to resolve this situation and restore certainty for firms, which has been badly lacking over recent weeks. “Against this background, a series of tit-for-tat tariffs could easily spiral into an all-out trade war and would do the UK little benefit. “We must keep talks alive and retaliatory tariffs should only be used as a means of last resort. “If talks succeed, it would be a win-win, bringing welcome stability and pro-growth economic conditions for both sides.”

Fiona Parsons

13 March, 2025

Business West

Unlocking Global Markets: 5 Ways Business West Can Help

International growth is crucial for supporting the local economy. Since April 2022, our team has provided expert advice on internationalisation, facilitating strategic partnerships between 116 SMEs in the South West and businesses across 62 countries. This has been achieved through our international contracts, including the Enterprise Europe Network, and our collaboration with the wider International Chambers of Commerce.

Tara Gillam

13 March, 2025

Business West

West of England Metro Mayor candidates outline their vision for the region

Last week, Business West’s Bristol Initiative hosted a Hustings for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority election, bringing together candidates from the four major political parties that have been announced. Held at the office of Initiative Member Burges Salmon in Bristol, our event provided a platform for business leaders to hear directly from the candidates about their plans to drive economic growth, address regional challenges, and elevate the West of England’s profile on the national and international stage.

Victoria Matthews

11 March, 2025

Business West