Member Article

Yorkshire's novice exporters offered advice

Yorkshire firms on the the lookout for exporting opportunities can take avantage of two regional events next week, aimed at delivering information for novice exporters.

The two UKTI events at Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham on Monday November 11 and at the Mercure St Paul’s Hotel in Sheffield on Friday November 15 will tackle misconceptions about exporting and encourage regional firms to try it.

‘Can You Export’ at the AMP will provide an introduction for novice exporters, tackling misconceptions and providing an understanding of how easy it actually is to get your products and services overseas.

Meanwhile, ‘The World of Exporting’ on 15 November will include keynote addresses from international brand specialist Rita Clifton, a former strategy director for Saatchi & Saatchi, and Mark Robson, the regional director for UKTI Yorkshire and the Humber.

They will be joined by Russ Grazier, regional trade director for RBS; Andy Coticelli, a tax Partner at Deloitte; Hamish Smith, group economist at NatWest; and Jim Keir, regional manager for UK Export Finance (UKEF).

South Yorkshire entrepreneur, Julia Gash is backing UKTI’s export week which runs from Monday to Friday, and encouraged others to follow her exporting lead.

Sheffield-based Julia taking her business BIDBI, formerly known as Bag It Don’t Bin It, from Sheffield to the world.

She said: “Trading internationally has transformed the way we do business. It has opened up markets in the US, Middle East and South East Asia, and has given us a fantastic platform for future expansion.

“It can be a little daunting taking those initial steps onto foreign shores, but my message is firmly to embrace the challenge and to work closely with the likes of UKTI to utilise the services, support and experience they offer.

“I hope the success of BIDBI and Talented Totes inspires others to follow our lead. It’s a big wide world with plenty of amazing opportunities, and it would be fantastic to see many, many more South Yorkshire companies competing internationally, driving jobs and growth, and fulfilling their undoubted potential.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .