MARK BIRCHALL INTERVIEW
“I think the UK IT sector can compete
with the best. It is a fast moving and
dynamic sector and we are seen as the
world leaders in many areas of tech.
If you can use MWC as an example,
the size of the UK presence at Mobile
World Congress reflects the strength of
the UK tech sector. I reckon there was
over 200 UK companies participating
across MWC and four years from
now (4FYN) this year which is a great
reflection of the UK tech sector.
Reputation is very important, and
we are well respected by international
buyers. They know the quality of
products and services the UK has to
offer, there are 30 significant tech
clusters in the UK and the tech start up
scene is one of the fastest growing in the
world.”
BREXIT
Birchall believes that the UK Tech sector
has the ability to dictate the success of
the British economy in the aftermath of
Brexit.
“The tech sector is one of the main
sectors in the UK and will continue to
be one of the biggest industries in the
UK in the future.
I was looking at the KPMG tech
monitor which said the UK tech sector
experienced a difficult end to 2018 and
I guess that is due to the uncertainty
of Brexit. But as a sector it still remains
more upbeat than the rest of the UK
economy and is expected to remain
more upbeat than the rest of the UK
economy throughout 2019.”
According to Birchall, the future is
in the industry’s hands and certain
companies do stand to profit from the
Brexit fallout. Other companies have
decided to be more aggressive in the
face of what Birchall describes as
“uncertainty”.
“The main issue that we have at the
moment is the uncertainty of not really
knowing whether there is a deal or no
deal.
Obviously, the weakness of Sterling
affects some companies but that can
also be a positive because UK products
will be more competitive than they
otherwise would be.
For our clients, yes, they are
concerned, but I wouldn’t say that I have
experienced companies coming to me
and say that they are not going to exhibit
at a show because of Brexit. I think a
lot of companies are actually being
more aggressive in how they promote
themselves through trade shows and
their marketing because of Brexit.”
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
The TradeFair Managing Director
was quick to emphasise the nerves
around the industry and criticised
the government for cutting
important grants and funding
schemes.
60 of the 200 British companies
that went to MWC through TradeFair
this year received a grant from
the Department for International
Trade though the tradeshow access
program. Birchall said that start ups
and SMEs need the most support.
“Start-ups and SMEs can’t just
stand back and wait to find out
whether it’s a deal or no deal, they
have to keep going until they know
what hurdles and what challenges
will be in place once the decision is
made.
Most of the discussions I have
with SMEs and smart ups is it’s
business as usual, they are putting
some contingencies in place, but the
challenge is that, until it’s made clear
what the situation is, it’s difficult for
them to plan ahead.
Supporting UK SMEs and startups
when they are at the right
stage is going to be important,
across all sectors, not just the tech
sector because these are the next
generation of big corporates.
I would like to see more funding
and more support offered to
businesses, especially when they
are using international trade fairs to
grow their business and to gain new
contacts. I’ve seen the trade show
access program cut by 21 per cent
since we voted to leave the EU and
I just think that, at a time when we
are being told by the government
we need to export more, it makes
more sense to commit more budget
to allow more UK companies to start
exploring those options.”
Despite his despair at the
government, Birchall said he is
confident that the UK Tech industry
will continue to thrive.
“There are a lot of UK companies
out there that have got so much
potential, and you would have seen a
lot of those at MWC.
Given the right guidance, given
the right support from the likes of
myself and government we will see
UK businesses amongst the best in
the technology world in the next few
years.”
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