Warwick support agency busier than ever as overseas firms seek to trade in UK

European Business Solutions (EBS) says it has seen an surge in demand for its services from motor-related companies through to a chocolate manufacturer that are seeking to invest in or export to the UK.

Now, to create space for extra staff, EBS, which currently has 10 employees, has taken a lease on a second office at the University of Warwick’s Innovation Centre.

It will also allow EBS, which was set up 30 years ago, to comply with Covid restrictions by creating a state-of-the-art video conferencing suite for virtual meetings with investors and partners, such as the Department for International Trade (DIT).

EBS currently has 200 clients and deals with issues ranging from establishing a UK entity, legal compliance, accounting and payroll through to understanding the relevant taxation policies after Brexit.

Martin Williams, managing director of EBS, said: “We are very pleased to be growing. It shows there is still a great demand from overseas companies wanting to come to the UK.

“We have clients all over the world – around 50 per cent from the EU and then everywhere from South America through to India.

“EU companies wish, post Brexit, to stay close to their UK customers, and some have to register a UK entity due to regulatory issues.”

Mr Williams said: “Here in the West Midlands, there is a big attraction for those in the automotive and advanced engineering sector.

“We are also seeing a big growth in tech companies investing in the UK and, at the other end of the spectrum, we are now working with a Colombian chocolate manufacturer, who recently won a contract with one of the major UK supermarket groups.”

Jane Talbot, manager of the Warwick Innovation Centre, said: “It’s great to see that overseas businesses are continuing to invest in the UK which will be vital for the economic recovery after the Covid-19 crisis. We are delighted that we are able to offer EBS the space in which to expand.”