Established in 1995, Strong & Herd LLP assist businesses with import and export support in international trade and customs compliance. They aim to explain key subjects comprehensively and ensure enterprises understand regulations. With its expert team of advisors and trainers, Strong & Herd aims to foster clients’ growth and development in a friendly and supportive manner. For its client-centric approach and welcoming service, Strong & Herd has received a Global Excellence Award for this year’s Leading Experts in Import & Export Training.
For over 28 years, Strong & Herd has been a market leader in customs, international trade, and export development support and training. It is the goal of Strong & Herd’s skilled workforce of technical advisors, trainers, and client relations teams to provide essential support to businesses. Through crucial training, practical workshops, helpline support, one-to-one consultancy, and mentoring sessions, clients will understand the areas of import, export, and customs compliance. The friendly client relations team handles all enquiries and is the first to converse with prospective clients. All team members understand clients’ needs in-depth and are ready to provide efficient support to guide clients through the process.
With roughly 2000 members in the business’s support services, OneCall™, the central helpline, and the new CDS Community™ provide clients with the knowledge to use the new UK HMRC customs computer system, CDS (Customs Declaration Service). Strong & Herd also runs an outsourced shipping office, which feeds into the development of its training. The business is now a qualification awarding body and is qualified in various areas of customs regulations and export controls.
Strong & Herd is working to develop niche offerings, such as its new Food – International Trade Procedures Learning Pathway. Through a steadfast commitment to continuous innovation, the company has retained several clients for over 25 years who remain with the business because of its approachable, informative style. Its services are essential to clients’ continued growth and assist in the business’s ability to thrive.
The company is unique in its involvement in the practical side of importing and exporting goods, its collaboration with the UK government, and its work as a software development test house for new systems. The business also represents British trade in several trade associations. Strong & Herd uses these experiences to update its services when new regulations are introduced. An advantage of trialling new software systems is that clients can receive advanced training and remain abreast of future updates.
The company aims to ensure its training and content remain relevant to those who need to use this knowledge daily. Since the UK left the EU, there has been a growing need for companies to stay aware of changing customs regulations. To address clients’ demands, Strong & Herd renewed its standard core training courses to include the changes that resulted from Brexit and created new courses to help clients adapt.
Priding itself in its agility, Strong & Herd has adjusted its services to changing circumstances and continues to create new ways of sharing information with the UK business world. As the UK government continues to change how the country trades internationally, it is vitally essential that Strong & Herd remain informed to address clients’ import and export needs. Many businesses experienced difficulties due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Still, Strong & Herd’s work with government departments ensured that clients were kept abreast of requirements and informed about ways to manage the impact.
At the beginning of the lockdown in March 2020, Strong & Herd moved everything online to ensure its vital training courses and business support continued. To assist clients working alternative hours or furloughed due to the pandemic, the business launched free daily upskilling sessions to ensure professionals remained current on new customs procedures. The first session began within the first fortnight of lockdown and continued for over a year, with around 3500 participants in attendance.
Expanding its portfolio, Strong & Herd now features virtual training sessions and e-learning, as well as face-to-face training, and plans to develop more practical Learning Pathways featuring online activities, study groups, quizzes, and tutor support. Including virtual tools such as break-out rooms, screen sharing, and whiteboards has enabled the business to provide a comprehensive learning experience that allows participants to interact and have their questions answered.
A recent development for Strong & Herd has supported businesses in transitioning from the old HMRC computer, CHIEF, to submit import and export declarations on the new CDS system. The company has recently created a new high-priority helpline to address urgent enquiries such as goods stuck in customs or being rejected by the computer.
Strong & Herd’s CDS Community™ holds specific clinics and briefings to support clients who need to learn the new declaration system or pass on information to the agents who make their customs entries. As submissions are legal declarations, all the data submitted must be accurate. Although the HMRC system is mostly complete, the technology is improving and will not fully transition until 2024. Strong & Herd is committed to supporting UK businesses adjusting to these digital changes.
As an inclusive employer, Strong & Herd believes that all employees possess unique experiences and skills that shape the business’s future together. Workers are encouraged to develop their professional skills through internal and external training sessions. The Strong & Herd family aims to nurture its members with continuous support, which has been especially important during the recent challenges of Brexit and Covid-19. Embracing an agile approach, the business has increased its flexibility in working hours to ensure employees can maintain a good work-life balance. By respecting employees and acknowledging their individuality, Strong & Herd’s employees are motivated to work hard and contribute to the business’s overall success.
A future goal for the company is the continued development of its Learning Pathways. Strong & Herd aims to expand its offerings with industry sector-specific opportunities like the Food – International Trade Procedures, due for release in 2024. The company has become renowned for its training and support, and Strong & Herd would like to highlight its professional qualifications. With the help of its highly skilled team, the company will continue to serve its clients with essential services and support. Fuelled by a combination of knowledge and experience, Strong & Herd is well-equipped to steer clients through the ever-evolving landscape of imports and exports. Strong & Herd has received our award for this year’s Leading Experts in Import & Export Training.
For business enquiries, contact Sandra Strong from Strong & Herd LLP on their website – www.strongandherd.co.uk
