Dido Harding on Brexit: 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger'
In the wake of Britain's vote to leave the EU, some business leaders have been expressing positive views on how the decision might impact their companies. Car makers Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce both indicated that the referendum result would not affect their businesses. Next boss, Lord Simon Wolfson, believes there is "huge potential" for the UK economy outside of the EU, while in the telecoms sector, BT chief executive, Gavin Patterson, said that although some firms would fail, others could grow. Dido Harding, chief executive of TalkTalk, took a bullish line: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I refuse to be doom and gloom."

Business leaders spoke up for Britain yesterday, insisting the decision to quit the EU would not harm their companies.

The vote has stoked fears that vital British trading links could be cut off after the nation dared to defy the European Union, with thousands of jobs supposedly at risk.

But as markets rallied yesterday, bosses began to challenge that view, expressing optimism about the opportunities ahead.

Motoring ahead: Premium car maker Jaguar Land Rover insisted its plans were unchanged and said German rivals were unlikely to support new barriers to growth

Even investment banks denied a feared stampede for the exit, although some City jobs could still be lost.

Premium car maker Jaguar Land Rover insisted its plans were unchanged and said German rivals were unlikely to support new barriers to growth.

Group strategy director Adrian Hallmark said: 'If you look at the volumes German premium manufacturers sell in the UK, I can't imagine they would want to see such a market opportunity being cut off.

'It's in the interest of the EU to maintain access to the UK market, so I can't imagine there would be any overly punitive measure in the premium end of the business. It would be cutting the European nose off to spite its face.'

This echoed the view of engine maker Rolls-Royce, which stressed the referendum result had made no difference to its business.

Earlier this week, the company said there was 'no immediate impact', but the medium and long-term results would depend on relationships struck between Britain and the EU.

Japanese car makers with UK plants such as Toyota and Nissan could be affected, but analysts say they are likely to take years to decide what they do next.

Next boss Lord Simon Wolfson (pictured) has already said he believes the country can thrive outside the EU and there is 'huge potential' for the economy

FTSE HIGHER THAN IT WAS BEFORE POLL FOLLOWING 3.85 PER CENT RISE The London stock market has clawed back all of its losses in the wake of the Brexit vote – easing fears of a full-blown meltdown for savers. Panic selling sent share values falling on Friday and Monday after Britain voted to leave the European Union, wiping more than £92billion off the value of blue-chip companies. But the FTSE 100 index bounced back on Tuesday and rose another 3.58 per cent yesterday to close at 6,360.06. That was some 22 points higher than it was on Thursday night before the result of the referendum was known. Sterling also rose against the dollar and the euro, although it remains well below where it was when the polls closed last week. Analysts hailed the dramatic turnaround on the London stock market but warned of further volatility ahead amid continued uncertainty over Britain's new relationship with Europe. 'It is safe to say that, of all the post Brexit outcomes discussed across the City over the past few months, 'buying frenzy' was not one that was viewed as very likely,' said Chris Beauchamp, senior market analyst at trading firm IG. 'The plethora of bargains on offer plus a welcome period of calm in the UK-EU relationship has provided the opportunity for markets to recover in impressive fashion.' The rally stunned many analysts, although most expect further big swings before the markets settle. Advertisement !- - ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/ru/news/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 - ->

On the High Street, Next boss Lord Simon Wolfson has already said he believes the country can thrive outside the EU and there is 'huge potential' for the economy.

Now the chief executive of electronics firm Dixons Carphone has argued his company would handle the result well.

Seb James said: 'In the last five days we've seen trade pretty much continue as before, with sales up.

'For most people in the country, they are carrying on doing what they were doing before.'

He added: 'I'm optimistic. We have got a good track record of dealing with these things both in the UK a few years ago and in Greece last year, where we emerged with higher market share and better profitability.

'The world keeps turning. Of course, it is early days. The job is to focus on the future.

'There will be a period of uncertainty in the financial markets. But Dixons is coming from a position of strength.'

Chief executive of electronics firm Dixons Carphone, Seb James (pictured), has argued his company would handle the result well

Online grocer Ocado believes it might also be on course to benefit from Brexit, with the weaker pound likely to help it secure a long-awaited overseas licensing deal.

And in the telecoms industry, BT chief executive Gavin Patterson said some British businesses would fail but it could give others space to grow.

'I see this as a moment of opportunity,' he added. 'There are going to be businesses that don't make it through this.'

Dido Harding, chief executive of mobile operator TalkTalk, struck a note of defiance, saying: 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I refuse to be doom and gloom.'

Investment bankers are likely to find the Leave vote hardest to swallow. Before the referendum, several warned jobs would move abroad if Britain lost its access to the EU's single market.

But Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley denied rumours yesterday that they had pre-let office space in Frankfurt in case a rapid move was needed.