On Wednesday 11 March, Business with Europe was officially launched at a packed event in the superb setting of the AMPA offices at The Shard, bringing together business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals and trade organisations from across the UK. 

The launch marked the first step in the journey for business with Europe: designed to ensure that British business has a stronger voice in the debate about our future relationship with the European Union. For too long, the conversation around Europe has been dominated by gesture politics, while the practical realities facing businesses have been pushed to the margins. Business With Europe has been created to change that. 

There is a long and important history here. Business played a leading role in taking the UK into what became today’s European Union, helping to make the case that closer economic ties with our European neighbours would support growth, investment and prosperity. Yet in the years leading up to the 2016 referendum, too many business voices were muted or absent from the national debate. Since then, businesses across the country have been left to deal with the consequences of a trading relationship that has become more cumbersome, more costly and less effective. 

That damage is no longer theoretical. It is being felt every day by firms trying to export, import, recruit, invest and grow. The UK’s current settlement with the EU has created unnecessary barriers, increased complexity and weakened the ease with which British businesses can trade with our largest and most important economic partner. At the launch event, those in the room spoke from direct experience about the real-world impact of these arrangements. The message was clear: the current system is not working well enough for British business. 

Business With Europe exists to make sure those concerns are heard. It will bring together people and organisations from across sectors who understand that the UK needs a more practical, ambitious and constructive trading relationship with the EU. This is not about relitigating old arguments for their own sake. It is about recognising the economic reality in front of us and ensuring that business is no longer a cowed voice on an issue that affects jobs, investment and prosperity in every part of the country. 

If the UK is serious about growth, then it must also be serious about improving the terms on which British firms trade with Europe. 

The energy and determination in the room at The Shard showed that there is a real appetite for that conversation, and for action. This launch is only the beginning. We have plenty of exciting events planned over the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled for further updates, and please do share this with any business contacts who may be interested in joining the conversation.

To find out more, visit businesswitheurope.co.uk