It’s vital companies have access to migrant workers in post-Brexit Britain to keep our region growing, says Ward Hadaway

Flora Mewies, left, of Ward Hadaway, and Laura Garcia at Nephos Solutions, Headingley.

Immigration specialist Flora Mewies helps companies across Yorkshire needing to fill jobs with overseas workers and a large proportion of her clients work in sectors that have skills shortages in the North.

She says: “Companies are talking to me more with growing concerns over hiring people and a post-Brexit skills crisis is a very real concern. It’s no surprise that both companies and overseas workers feel uncertain about the future because so far they have been provided with very little clarity on immigration matters.”

“We need a clear and sustainable migration approach to ensure businesses can access the staff and skills they need to grow and compete post-Brexit.”

So what are employers in growing sectors doing?

David Pearce, Co Founder, realised his business Nephos Solutions needed talented individuals from both inside the UK and overseas to allow it to grow and develop.

The Headingley-based software development company builds bespoke business applications for desktop, web and mobile devices using cloud-based technology.

David, said: “Having access to the best skillsets available, irrespective of an employee’s country of origin is vital to a growing technology company, especially in a rapidly changing global digital economy.”

“Taking advantage of the talented individuals that emerge from the local and highly-regarded University of Leeds demonstrates a joined up approach of Government, Higher Education and businesses working to deliver growth and excellence in the local economy.”

Nephos Solutions has sponsored its first employee under the Tier 2 General Visa scheme.  This provides highly skilled workers, who have an offer of employment from a UK sponsor to fill a gap in the UK workforce.

Laura Garcia, 28, graduated from University of Leeds in December 2018 with a Masters degree in Corporate Communication, Marketing and Public Relations. She is originally from Colombia and works as an Advertising and Marketing Manager for Nephos Solutions in Headingley.

She said: “Once I began my Masters degree in Leeds, I realised it would be a great experience to work in the UK in order to continue with my professional growth. I started seeking advice for international students provided by the university and that’s how I met Flora.”

“I sought opportunities by being very active on LinkedIn and assisting at networking events in Leeds. It was through these connections that David from Nephos contacted me.

On my personal experience, the visa sponsorship was not an easy process and having a professional like Flora to help me along the way, really made the difference. She allayed my fears and provided me with the best support. I feel that in such a decisive process you shouldn’t face risks and should seek professional support right from the beginning.”

Flora said: “It’s great for me to be a part of the journey with such ambitious people, to secure the visas they require to continue their careers in the UK and see companies fill the jobs they need. Especially as, in turn, the businesses we are supporting are boosting the regional economy in the process.”

“Allowing talented international students to work post-study in Yorkshire helps employers of all sizes to fill skills gaps.”

Her comments come as the build-up continues to the Yorkshire Fastest 50, the annual run-down of the fastest-growing privately owned companies in Yorkshire which Ward Hadaway organises in association with The Yorkshire Post.

By the analysis of company financial figures, the Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 identifies the privately-owned, profit-making companies which have seen the biggest annual expansion in their turnover in recent years.

This process will create a definitive list of the 50 fastest-growing companies in Yorkshire which will be published in March.

Then on March 22 at a special event at Aspire, awards will be handed out to the fastest-growing small, medium-sized and large businesses, for companies with annual turnover of between £1m and £7.5m, between £7.5m and £25m and turnover of more than £25m respectively.

One of those three winners will then receive the accolade of being crowned Yorkshire’s overall fastest growing business for 2019.

This is the ninth time that the Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 has taken place, and the event has become a firm fixture in the region’s business calendar.