Brexit expert bolsters county law firm

The man credited with coining the term ‘Brexit’ has joined Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler to offer businesses expert advice on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. 

Peter Wilding – a corporate lawyer specialising in EU law and former EU media and policy director for the Conservative Party – has joined the firm as its Brexit adviser. 

Mr Wilding (pictured below), who lives in Church Stretton, is officially credited by the Oxford English Dictionary with first coining the term in May 2012 – eight months before the then Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans for a referendum on the issue. 

He will now use his expert knowledge to advise clients across multiple sectors on the implications of Brexit to them and their businesses. 

Mr Wilding said: “I am delighted to join such a dynamic and forward-thinking firm as FBC Manby Bowdler. Brexit will not only affect our clients but most businesses in this vital economic centre of the country. To prepare for the worst and plan for the best scenarios, anyone in agriculture, manufacturing and hospitality needs to Brexitproof themselves urgently.” 

FBC Manby Bowdler managing partner Kim Carr said Mr Wilding’s appointment came as the practice was being inundated with queries from clients looking to find out more about how Brexit could affect their business – and advice on how they could combat the current uncertainty. 

“We are receiving inquiries on a daily basis from clients, particularly in the manufacturing, agriculture and leisure and hospitality sectors, who have a huge number of questions they want answering concerning Brexit. 

“There can be nobody better placed to offer our clients expert advice on all aspects of Brexit than Peter, the man who first invented the term. He has been at the heart of the EU withdrawal process throughout the last few years and our clients will now be able to benefit enormously from his extensive knowledge.” 

Mr Wilding has spent 25 years working in European affairs and is the founder of the Influence Group which advises UK businesses on European policy. 

He first used the word Brexit in a blog post reacting to the possibility of a Greek exit from the EU. 

He wrote: “Unless a clear view is pushed that Britain must lead in Europe at the very least to achieve the completion of the single market then the portmanteau for Greek euro exit might be followed by another sad word, Brexit.” 

He has practised in London, Brussels, Gibraltar and the Channel Islands and was appointed by Mr Cameron as media and policy director of the Conservative Party in the EU from 2005-2008. 

He is also a former director of the Brussels-based lobbying firm, Teneo Cabinet DN, and Europe director of BSkyB and author of the influential book What Next? Britain’s future in Europe.