A survey of candidates and clients of the executive search and interim management firm, Eton Bridge Partners, has found an overall majority in favour of the UK remaining in the EU. 

When asked to consider their position from a personal point of view an overall majority of respondents (57 percent) believed the UK should remain within the Union, while more than a third (34 percent) said the country should leave. Nearly one in ten had yet to decide. When asked to consider the same question in terms of the best interests of the organisation they worked for, the majority for remain increased to 61 percent. Just over a quarter (26 percent) said the UK should leave, while nearly one in seven respondents (14 percent) were still considering their position. More than half of respondents (55 percent) said the new relationship the Prime Minister negotiated with the EU would have no impact on their business one way or the other. Almost twice as many believed it would be good for their business (23 percent) than bad (12 percent). When asked about the potential impact of Brexit on their businesses, just over half (51 percent) said it would have a negative impact and a third said they thought the decision would have no impact. One in fourteen (7 percent) believed the impact would be positive, with some citing a reduction in red tape imposed by Brussels. 

Finally, when asked about the potential impact of a UK exit on their organisation’s ability to attract or retain talent, nearly half of respondents (49 percent) anticipated a Brexit would have no impact and a similar number (45 percent) thought there would be a negative impact. One in twenty (five percent) believed the impact would be positive. Communications from both sides of the debate were considered to have been poor. It should be noted, however, that the survey was conducted before the start of the campaign proper on 15th April 2016. Commenting on the survey, Mark Craddock, Partner and Head of Finance Practice at Eton Bridge Partners, said: “Although we saw a majority of responders wishing to see the UK remain in the EU, many people commented that they wanted to see a new kind of relationship with the Union. So if the vote goes for remain in June I anticipate the debate will be far from over. Plus ça change!”

Anonymous quotes from survey respondents included: “The protections put in place for the City of London [by the PM’s negotiations with the EU] are critical, and have been given insufficient airtime.” “I want to be in Europe, but not this version of Europe!” “There are many businesses that have to follow 100 percent of EU red tape but less than 13 percent trade in EU. The economic case is largely driven and portrayed as positive by large corporates.” “It’s tough enough to get the right skill sets. Without reducing the pool of talent so dramatically [by leaving the EU].”