Mark Stewart, Chief Executive of Stewart Golf, in Gloucester, has resigned from his role as one of the ‘export champions’ of the government, referring to frustration about what he calls ‘anti-business policy’ of Labor under Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.
Stewart’s company, which produces electric golf buggies, exports half of its £ 7 million turnover to the United States.
His departure comes after the speech of the Chancellor on Wednesday, where announcements at airport extensions, updated regulations and investments in technological clusters were made to strengthen the VK’s growth appearances.
Just returning from a trip to America, Stewart, 45, says that the contrast in the attitude towards the business community could not be more grim. “I can’t be part of this,” he told The Times. “Every turn, there is something that makes life more difficult for people who try to run small companies like mine. I don’t feel that we are being supported or encouraged to try to be better. “
He specifically pointed to the rhetoric of Labor as the undermining of British optimism, referring to the remarks of the Shadow Chancellor about the pursuit of “American optimism” during a trip on the Chinese bullet train. ‘Between you and the boss [Starmer]All you have done is talking to the United Kingdom, “he said.
Stewart also expressed dismay about government plans for stricter labor rights and what he sees as punitive taxes on business assets assumed between family members, who follow widespread unrest under SMEs. “We are good at what we do,” he said. “I don’t want to worry about day one employment rights. I want to make great golf trolleys and try to sell. “
The entrepreneur was one of the approximately 400 “export champions” appointed by the Department for Business and Trade to share insights about the growing overseas sale. While he praised the intentions of the scheme, he said that difficult policy measures had been tipped to stop.
Not all export champions share the position of Stewart. Adam Sopher, co-founder of luxury popcorn producer Joe & Sephs, chooses to stay. “It is better to represent as an export champion and to have some influence than to be unable,” he said, noticed that 30 percent of his things come from export sales. “The government can do more to help small companies expand to Europe, and I would like to help.”
Sopher acknowledged that increasing contributions from national insurance and higher costs harm margins in the sector, but regards the role of export champion as an opportunity to insist on solutions for constructive policy.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Business and Trade thanked Stewart for his work, but argued that “stimulating economic growth is our most important mission. Great -Britain is back, open to business, and we are aimed at increasing opportunities for companies to export and break into new markets. “
The dismissal of Stewart, however, underlines the increasing tension between smaller exporters and policy decisions that they feel that competitiveness is impeded-a time when the government makes controversial announcements aimed at stimulating growth. Whether these new initiatives can suppress dissatisfaction between important SME figures can still be seen.