OVER 800 guests are expected at this year's Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce business expo this week.

The event, on Thursday, March 7, gives businesses and organisations the chance to network and share ideas with a particular emphasis on planning for Brexit.

A networking breakfast, sponsored by Worcestershire Business Central, will welcome keynote speaker Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, CEO of NMiTE, to deliver a presentation on “Challenging conventional engineering education and its impact on business”.

Guests will also be welcomed by Sharon Smith, CEO at the Chamber, before hearing from overall sponsor Hewett Recruitment, which will signal the opening of the event.

The food and drink producers’ zone, sponsored by mfg Solicitors, will be returning as a main feature of the event, welcoming companies from across the two counties to offer free samples of their produce for attendees throughout the day.

Visitors are also able to book their place at a new seminar entitled “Beyond Brexit – A World of New Opportunities”.

During the seminar, guests will hear from Jon Walden of Strong and Herd LLP, who has over 30 years’ experience in international trade.

The session will also welcome Ben Mannion, director at Hewett Recruitment, who will cover what Brexit means to employers and EU Nationals living and working in the UK right now. This will include information regarding the Settled Status scheme that the government will be introducing and best practice for employers as they go through a changing jobs market against the backdrop of Brexit.

Attendees are also encouraged to visit the 120 exhibitors who will be showcasing their products and services in the Main Exhibition Hall, across a range of products and services.

The Expo will take place at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, from 9.30am-2.30pm