A BRADFORD-based organisation, which specialises in overseas trade, is helping firms to prepare for the “changes and challenges” ahead post Brexit.

Chamber International director Tim Bailey said that a number of businesses had been in contact in relation to Brexit since the referendum result.

He added: “However, now that Article 50 has been enacted, and business know that the UK is definitely set to leave the EU, companies will be closely watching what sort of deal is agreed with regard to trade, and preparing to adapt their own strategies accordingly, and we do expect requests for this sort of help to gather pace in the coming months.”

Leeds-based Pecan Deluxe Candy, which supplies food and beverage companies, quick-service restaurants and bakeries across the EU, is one of these firms.

The family business, that exports to continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa from its UK headquarters in Sherburn-in-Elmet, is already having to work harder to combat challenges posed by the fall in the value of the pound as the company imports 90 per cent of raw materials used in its products.

It hopes that Chamber International’s expertise can improve its exporting efficiency and enhance its marketing within the EU, to help offset any challenges posed by the UK’s exit.

Pecan Deluxe European and Asia Pacific managing director, Graham Kingston, said: “We want to adapt as smoothly as possible to any changes and challenges in trading circumstances which arise from the UK’s impending departure from the EU.”

He added: “We have engaged Chamber International to help ensure we are on our front foot and fully prepared in two years.

"We intend to use Chamber International’s whole range of services with an initial focus on improving our marketing within EU countries and export training, including to enable us to handle in-house any new export documentation which is required post-Brexit.”

Mr Bailey said: “Brexit will affect different companies in a variety of ways depending on their sector, products or services. However, those who start to plan now, like Pecan Deluxe Candy, will inevitably be best placed to succeed when our exit takes effect.”