Brexit drives online market to Portugal
A FAST-GROWING website that provides a virtual shop window for 300 small British companies is opening a technology centre in Lisbon to sidestep problems created by Brexit.
Trouva – founded in London by Mandeep Singh and Alex Louizu – believes a foothold in Portugal will be the best way of ensuring it will be able to carry on recruiting experts from across the EU.
Singh said his company already had staff from around the world with the majority of non-British employees hailing from France, Germany and the United States.
‘It’s really about having a cross-border team and attracting the best people,’ he said. ‘Having the space in Lisbon just makes it easier.
He said it is impossible to say exactly how Brexit will affect the recruitment of Continental IT specialists for jobs in the UK.
‘No one really knows,’ he said. ‘Not knowing what is going to happen means it’s sensible to have other options.
‘This gives us a great base in Europe come what may over the next few years.’
Singh added: ‘We’re one of the five fastestgrowing tech businesses in the UK.’
Trouva offers a platform to a variety of boutique enterprises including London company Good and Proper Tea, which sells blends of artisan tea and accessories.