Howarths supports Express Bi-Folding Doors with business immigration law changes
We are pleased to announce that our long-standing client and Leeds headquartered specialist sliding and folding door manufacturer, Express Bi-Folding Doors, has appointed Howarths to support the business with specialist business immigration law advice ahead of the introduction of the government’s new points-based immigration system on January 1st 2021.
As the UK’s leading specialist sliding and folding door manufacturer, Express Bi-Folding Doors employs 230 people across its four UK showrooms and Leeds head office, with an impressive £28million annual turnover.
The team at Howarths has worked closely alongside Express Bi-Folding Doors for more than ten years, providing ongoing HR and employment law support as the business has grown, increased its workforce and expanded its operations on a national scale.
We are therefore delighted to have been chosen to support Express Bi-Folding Doors with strategic workforce planning in line with the introduction of the new points-based immigration system that will come into force at the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31st 2020.
The project will be led by our Head of Employment Law and Business Immigration, Charlotte Geesin, and will include a workforce risk analysis to identify any key personnel or material numbers of the company’s employees from overseas who may require support or can no longer work remotely in the EU without immigration permission.
Charlotte will work closely with Express Bi-Folding Doors’ operations director, Chris Smith.
Chris explains: “25% of our skilled workforce is made up of people from overseas, and we have engaged Howarths to ensure there is a smooth transition around Brexit while protecting the business and our valuable employees.”
Commenting on the new points-based immigration system and its impact on employers, Charlotte explains:
“Following the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31st, the UK will be subject to a new points-based immigration system that will see the most significant changes to the UK’s immigration system in almost five decades.
“Workers from overseas contribute a wealth of skills and experience to the UK economy, but if a business is not approved to employ foreign workers or fails to follow the new rules around immigration compliance and rights to work, they could put themselves at risk of legal action.
“This can be a particularly tricky area to navigate for SMEs and start-ups who will need to consider requirements such as having a sponsor license in place if they wish to employ non-UK workers.”
If you are a business that employs staff from overseas and you require help and guidance to navigate the new points-based immigration system, use our contact form to get in touch, email hello@howarths-uk.com or call 01274 864 999. Â
