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IF YOUR BUSINESS HAS CONTRACTS OUTSIDE THE UK, GET SET NOW FOR NEW RULES FROM 2021
fast-moving world of marketing and communications is no longer confined to big cities. Today you’re just as likely to find a top agency in a rural location as an urban metropolis. But wherever your business is located, you should be aware of the changes you need to make now that the UK is no longer part of the EU and with the transition period ending on December 31.
Steve Lodge, founding partner of Oxygen Marketing Communications Agency, whose offices are in the Devon market town of Tiverton explains: “We love being based here. We all live in Devon and I’m pleased to say we’ve never found it a barrier to finding clients.”
Established in 2002, Oxygen now employs six people. It deals with marketing campaigns and public relations for clients across Europe, as well as building websites for an international audience. “Oxygen is a multinational contracts such as Hertz, the global car-hire company whose head office is in Ireland,” says Steve. “Continuing to work across the European Union is really impor
Businesses like Steve’s, who have contracts outside of the UK, need to check they’ve got everything in order to continue working across the European Union past the end of the transition period. Remember, negotiations are ongoing, but the UK has now left the EU, so actions should be taken now to prepare your business.
With EU business contributing 20 per cent of his revenue, Steve found the gov.uk/ transition site essential for ensuring that he had an accurate checklist of tasks he had to complete.
“When I first looked at gov.uk/ transition, we had 21 advisories in areas such as IP protection and data” he says. “We also needed to consider work permits or visas to travel to the EU for meetings. The site gave us a wake-up call. It’s really opened our eyes to the need to plan and prepare for transition. I’d urge all business owners to double check they’ve made every preparation for January 2021. Don’t get left behind.”
“I’d urge all business owners to double check they’ve made every preparation for January 2021. Don’t get left behind” Steve Lodge, founding partner, Oxygen