The EU Exit Transition Period is coming to an end. Is your business ready for new rules, coming into effect from 1 January 2021?

2020 is very nearly over and while that may be cause for celebration as we leave behind a year none of us will forget, there are changes that you will need to prepare for to enable your business to continue trading from 1 January.

The CW LEP Growth Hub is here to help you ensure your business is ready for the UK’s new relationship with the EU and be prepared for the new rules coming into effect. Even for those who feel the end of the transition period is unlikely to impact their business, it is well worth accessing the free, impartial support, to be confident there are no surprises around the corner that could have been prepared for.

Key information for customers and users of IP about how the IP system and the Intellectual Property Office will operate after the end of the transition period.

The transition period ends on 31 December 2020. On 1 January 2021 there will be changes to UK intellectual property law to ensure the smooth departure from EU IP systems.

See a summary of the key changes.

With the countdown underway to Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 and Birmingham Commonwealth Games taking place in 2022, we have a unique opportunity to capitalise on our time in the spotlight to showcase the very best of our local achievements and future ambition in transport innovation in collaboration with key stakeholders from across Coventry, Warwickshire & the West Midlands.

Working with our strategic partners, our vision is to raise our profile and to inspire children and young people as the new generation of innovators.

We want to position Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands as the hub for green transport technology & innovation to increase our profile nationally and internationally, attract inward investment, upskill our communities and create jobs, by providing a global showcase for innovative business to highlight the next generation transport innovation and technology being developed locally.

Our aspiration is for a year-long portfolio of activities, with an indicative timeline of mid-2021 to mid-2022.  We are currently exploring proposals for this to be anchored by a dynamic and interactive exhibition on Coventry’s journey to 2050 and beyond, through the evolving story of transport innovation and technology in Coventry, Warwickshire & the West Midlands, and its role in our achieving a zero carbon future.

We envisage an associated community engagement and outreach programme on the ‘STEAM’ pathway from education to employment working with our partners and business, during the academic year 2021 – 2022, and we are eager to harness the use of digital content, both during and after the exhibition, to ensure the maximum reach to audiences locally, nationally and internationally.  We anticipate that our suite of activities will also include targeted demonstrations of technology at key locations across our city and region, as appropriate.

We are keen to support our local business community by providing the stage for promoting local innovation and there are four potential ways in which you can get involved:

• Have you developed a new innovative product you would like to put forward for the Showcase?
• Do you have digital content to highlight your work?
• Are you interested in demonstrating your technology?
• Would you like to work with us on our learning and engagement programme?

We invite companies interested in this opportunity to make contact with us, to explore how to get involved in this exciting programme and in doing so promote your company and everything you do to a wide audience. 

Please contact Helene Toogood at Coventry City Council for further details:

Email: Helene.Toogood@coventry.gov.uk

Telephone: 024 7697 8604