Re: Summer 2016 | Page 97

Name: Jeremy Taylor Job title: Chief Executive Business name: Gatwick Diamond Business What do you think the effect of Britain leaving the EU will have on your business if any? There is a risk that we may lose some of our larger members if, in the fullness of time, they decide to leave the UK. Whilst there are a number who probably feel it will make no difference as they don’t see themselves as trading internationally, any negative impact on the economy, even through uncertainty, will work it’s way down. There is also the risk that there will be a negative effect on the strength of the local economy, however that is when business needs our support so we often see a slight upturn in Membership, during an economic downturn. Do you feel that you have been given enough information to be able to make a fully informed decision on whether to leave or not? I often find myself agreeing with the last person I spoke to or heard talking about the issue. In this debate there is no overall right or wrong answer, but the main participants seem intent on disproving the other side’s point of view, accusing of fabrication & falsehood, rather than presenting the benefit. Does your company do business with Europe currently and would this change if we voted to leave? We don’t directly deal with Europe but a number of members do and they say that leaving the EU would have a detrimental impact on their trading ability with EU countries and further abroad How do you think that an exit from the EU will impact on your customers? Those who trade internationally have said that an exit will create a more difficult trading environment and may impact their ability to work on the international stage. We have seen a slowdown or a temporary hold put on a number of investment decisions until the date of the Referendum For purely business reasons would you vote to stay in or leave? I am leaning towards staying in. Business and the economy requires some degree of stability and certainty and so, based on the fact that leaving creates more of an unknown future. If we leave then I feel we will be in a marginally weaker position on the world stage. What do you think the effect of Britain leaving the EU will have on your business if any? A reduction in activity. Does your company do business with Europe currently and would this change if we voted to leave? No. No. Name: Simon Pilbeam Job title: Managing Director Business name: Pilbeam Construction How do you think that an exit from the EU will impact on your customers? Cause un-certainty Do you feel that you have been given enough information to be able to make a fully informed decision on whether to leave or not? No. There does not appear to be any good information, partly as no-one seems to know and secondly as the politicians are always looking for one-upman-ship. For purely business reasons would you vote to stay in or leave? Stay 95