Bloomberg: BOXARR on Brexit’s Front Lines

What’s it like to run a business while the government pursues its unpredictable plan to quit the European Union? Bloomberg News is following four CEOs over the next two years as they try to limit the fallout. Here are their stories.

Illustration: Camilla Perkins

While the debate rages over whether Brexit will be a blessing or a curse for British businesses, the reality is nobody will know for years. And even once the results are in, the two camps are sure to disagree over the facts—and, of course, what could have been had Brexit not happened. But these entrepreneurs must make the best of it now. We’re going inside their companies to uncover the real-life impact of decisions made in Westminster. You can follow their progress here.

One Year Later: What our CEOs had to say on the anniversary of the referendum

The Fintech Lenders

Employees at Funding Circle Ltd.'s London, U.K. headquarters on Jan. 25, 2017.

Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Funding Circle Ltd., Britain’s largest peer-to-peer lender, matches investors with thousands of small businesses around Europe. Co-founders Samir Desai and James Meekings and their London employees—many of them non-British—fear major disruption from Brexit, though business is booming so far.

The Brexit Backer

John Elliott, founder of Ebac Ltd., left, speaks with an employee working on the dehumidifier production line at the company's factory in Newton Aycliffe, U.K., on Jan. 9, 2017.

Photographer: Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg

Ebac Ltd. makes water coolers, dehumidifiers and washing machines in the northeast of England. Although sales in the European Union contribute a substantial chunk of revenue, founder John Elliott campaigned for Brexit. He says tariffs if they are imposed after Brexit, won’t seriously hurt his business.

The Poultry Farmer

Mark Gorton, joint managing director of Traditional Norfolk Poultry Ltd. in Shropham, near Attleborough, Norfolk, U.K., on Feb. 3, 2017.

Photographer: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg

Traditional Norfolk Poultry sells five million free-range and organic birds a year, on farms in the countryside northeast of London. Co-founder Mark Gorton says 60 per cent of his workers are east Europeans, doing jobs he says Britons don’t want to do. He’s concerned Brexit will curb the supply of labour, while a weakening pound has forced him to raise prices

The Ambitious Startup

Alasdair Pettigrew, chief executive officer of Boxarr Ltd. left, speaks with employee Romain Roques in the communal area at the company offices inside The Engine Shed in Bristol, U.K. Developing software for complex engineering projects has made Boxarr a British success story, serving customers including Airbus and Boeing Co.

Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Boxarr Ltd. builds software for complex engineering and manufacturing projects, serving clients such as plane maker Airbus from its base in western England. Chief Executive Officer Alasdair Pettigrew says Brexit may present opportunities — but he is worried about access to labour and lenders.