Focus SB MD attends Whitehall smarter regulation roundtable

On Thursday 29th February British electrical accessories manufacturer Focus SB’s managing director Gary Stevens attended a Smarter Regulation Roundtable in Whitehall with other selected SMEs, invited by Lord Johnson of Lainston, CBE, Minister of State for Investment - East Sussex, United Kingdom, 2024-03-14

Mr Gary Stevens, managing director of St Leonards-on-Sea based premium electrical accessories manufacturer Focus SB® was delighted to attend a Smarter Regulation Roundtable in Whitehall at the invitation of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Minister Lord Dominic Johnson. Renowned for the design, development and manufacture of premium electrical wiring accessories, Focus SB is at the forefront of its industry for over 40 years, manufacturing quality metal faceplates, switches and power sockets finished to the highest standards in-house in East Sussex, UK, using a blend of traditional artisan crafts combined with cutting edge technology, complemented by years of in-house experience and investment in manufacturing training.

Mr Stevens, who attended the Make UK national manufacturing conference on the 27th February, commented: “Second visit to the capital this week! It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be invited to take part in a round table event at the Cabinet Office today. Thank you to Lord Dominic Johnson. The headline event was on the subject of Smarter Regulation for SMEs. A great cross-section of SMEs from various industries were represented and we discussed important topics including HMRC regulations, R&D Tax Credits, FDA regulations, lack of regulation on electrical products flooding the UK (UK exports are highly regulated!), employment law, net zero and exporting. DBT Export Champions Steve Whettingsteel, CEO and group MD of Krysteline Technologies, and myself were the only Export Champions in the room and we received a special thank you from Lord Johnson. Some excellent points and insights from around the table that will hopefully help to inform future government policy!”

A DBT Export Champion and King’s Awards winner for International Trade, Focus SB is a member of UK leading trade association BEAMA which represents manufacturers of electrical products and systems. Mr Stevens was pleased to contribute to several important topics, and the opportunity to highlight an issue specific to Focus SB’s niche industry, commenting on the lack of regulation on electrical products flooding the UK whilst UK exports are highly regulated.

Minister for Investment and Regulatory Reform Lord Johnson said: “It’s invaluable to hear directly from SMEs about how I can support companies to grow by breaking down barriers to doing business. Focus SB is a jewel in the Southeast’s crown, and I’m delighted that two of the Department for Business and Trade’s Export Champions had a seat at our roundtable.

“Smarter regulation is at the heart of growing our economy and the Government expects to deliver savings of up to £1 billion for UK businesses through cutting EU red tape. Building on recommendations from SMEs, I am determined to ensure regulation is a last resort, not a first choice.”

Find Export Support for UK Businesses at the Department for Business and Trade: https://www.great.gov.uk/

Focus SB was the first (and only) UK and European manufacturer in its industry licensed to sell direct to mainland China in 2017. Read excerpts from the Focus SB export journey: https://www.focus-sb.co.uk/blog/how-to-become-an-export-champion

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Editors notes

Focus SB® is an award winning innovative British manufacturer renowned for the design, development and specialist hand finishing of premium electrical wiring accessories, blending traditional artisan techniques with the latest technology; specified for world class hospitality and leisure resorts, prime residential developments, heritage buildings, royal residences, superyachts and commercial projects both domestically and internationally.

King's Awards for Enterprise winner for excellence in International Trade in 2023, Focus SB made history in its industry in 2017 when the company became the first and only British and European manufacturer to gain CQC factory accreditation to supply and sell wiring accessories directly from Europe to China, also gaining full CCC licence for all of its products for the Chinese marketplace.

The company’s specialist capabilities include electrical accessory design, development and testing; bespoke metal plate design and manufacture; specialist metal finishing and complex supply chain project management. Focus SB commenced trading in 1979 and exports to Asia, the Middle East, Malta and West Africa. Projects include Aspen at Consort Place, Twenty Grosvenor Square, Belmond Cadogan Hotel, Corinthia London, Royal Lancaster London, Chelsea Barracks, No.1 Grosvenor Square, The Glebe, Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, The Londoner Macao and Pudong Airport Satellite Terminal VIP lounges.

Focus SB is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by taking all appropriate measures to minimise any impact on the environment throughout the business from operational to manufacturing processes. The company's green energy investment plans have included solar panel, LED lighting and electric car charging points installation. Laser marking technology enables Focus SB to offer a standard alternative to screen printing, for improved fine detail quality and to significantly limit the use of environmentally damaging consumables and reduce waste.

Focus SB is a Disability Confident Employer since 2017 and is committed to creating equal opportunities and a diverse and inclusive workforce, seeing the company work closely with local charity Little Gate Supported Employment for over four years.

UK press contact: Suzi Baker, Balance Web Marketing +PR suzi@balancewebmarketing.co.uk