Business leaders gathered in Belfast today to discuss Brexit and the Irish border at an event sponsored by Eversheds Sutherland.

The breakfast seminar, hosted by the British Irish Chamber of Commerce (BICC), examined key business issues, including how Northern Ireland businesses can adequately prepare for Brexit.

BICC president Eoin O’Neill, opening the seminar, spoke on the Chamber’s recent paper, Big Principles for a Strong Brexit Partnership.

He was followed by a panel discussion moderated by broadcaster Mark Carruthers, with contributions from David Sterling, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service; Aidan Gough, strategy and policy director for InterTradeIreland; Stephen Kelly, CEO of Manufacturing Northern Ireland; Andrew Henderson, partner at Eversheds Sutherland; Liam Reid, corporate relations director of Diageo; and Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.

Peter Curran, partner at Eversheds Sutherland, said: “There is not a region or a country that will be impacted by Brexit to the same extent as Northern Ireland.

“Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom to share a land border with an EU Member State and therefore Northern Irish businesses need to be prepared for any eventuality.

“Today’s seminar brings together key figures to discuss the practical steps businesses must take to prepare for a Brexit of any kind, the supports that are available to business, as well as the legal changes that managers must now prepare for.”