Alex de Ruyter is a professor at Birmingham City University and serves as Director of its Centre for Brexit Studies. He brings a wealth of research experience and academic engagement in the area of regional economic development and labour market issues. He has published over 60 academic outputs in leading national and international journals, including the International Journal of HRM, British Journal of Industrial Relations, European Journal of Industrial Relations, Cambridge Journal of Regions Economy and Society, and has been the recipient of research funding, including being an investigator in the ESRC-funded study on the effects on subsequent employment experience of workers from MG Rover (with David Bailey) after plant closure in 2005. Professor de Ruyter has undertaken numerous media interviews and is currently researching on the likely impact of Brexit on the UK automotive supply chain in addition to exploring working in the “gig economy”.