For a business owner who was an active and vocal supporter of Brexit, David Haythornthwaite’s analysis of the impact it has had so far may seem surprising to some.
His Tangerine Holdings group continues to do business across the Channel, but he speaks candidly about the disruption caused by the UK’s divorce from the EU.
He says: “Brexit has been very difficult and it always was going to be, with all the new rules and regulations. I don’t think anybody who exports to Europe has found it particularly easy going.
“That’s largely down to the confusion and different interpretations of the rules by each individual country.
“It has definitely been more difficult and very disruptive, and it continues to be so. I feel personally that there is a little bit of bitterness on their side, making things difficult, also there was unpreparedness among businesses, and it seems rules are almost being written as we go along.
“Having said that it’s difficult exporting to other parts of the world, everywhere is becoming more protectionist, these are the challenges you face in exporting.”
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