Furniture manufacturers can access top-flight expertise via a new webinar series hosted by the British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) – as part of an enhanced package of online services.

The webinar series follows recent major investment in digital offerings from BFM, including a new website, with individual profile pages for each member.

BFM MD, Nick Garratt, said: “We are delighted to launch the webinar series.

“The topics covered during the webinars will help those in our industry to protect and support their businesses.

“They will provide an informed overview of a range of issues that can present challenges to member businesses on a daily basis, and we are grateful to our partners for sharing their expertise.”

The first session in October kicks off with the topic ‘Doing business with the EU and Northern Ireland, post-Brexit’ delivered by Jason Croke, VAT & Customs Director at Rayner Essex LLP Chartered Accountants.

The webinar, on Wednesday 6th October, will cover importing goods from EU to the UK for B2B and B2C, postponed import VAT accounting and duty deferment accounts, as well as exporting good from the UK to EU for B2B and B2C, import duty, commodity codes, incoterms, rules of origin and Import One Stop Shop (IOSS).

The webinars are free. Each guest gives a half-hour presentation, and the sessions end with a Q&A session.

The webinar series follows a major investment in the digital realm by BFM in recent months, following the launch of the new website, providing each member with a profile page dedicated to their business and offering customers an easy-to-search showcase of the best of British furniture and homewares.

The service is of particular note for smaller manufacturers, who can take advantage of raising their profile in an engaging format.

View the website here.

BFM also launched a new Legal Hub in June, giving members a free toolkit offering legal and business advice on key topics such as health and safety, employment, contracts and data protection, as well as featuring policies, forms and guides created by qualified solicitors and business experts.

Since 1947, BFM has represented the interest of the British furniture industry, with a membership ranging from rural craftspeople to major household names.

Nick Garratt added: “BFM issues industry-specific updates to members, to keep them abreast of developments in the sector, as well as providing a dedicated hotline and an online members’ area information service, which is constantly updated.

“BFM continues to develop a package of services that meet the needs of its members and champion the nation’s furniture makers to the wider industry and to customers across the UK.

“The webinar series adds another layer of support, bringing expertise in specific fields to members in a way that is accessible to all and I’m pleased that further events are planned going forward.”

BFM members can book a place on any of the webinars online.

www.bfm.org.uk/join-us