Member Article

UKTI Export Hub events draw London business crowds

Businesses have flocked to receive expert advice at the Export Hub Roadshow in London, which visited four different locations across the capital from 29 March – 1 April.

The Export Hub visited Truman Brewery, Arsenal Emirates Stadium, Renaissance Hotel Heathrow and North London Business Park. London businesses, big and small, had the opportunity to meet with experts from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and a range of influential businesses*, whilst also hearing from local companies who haven’t looked back since taking the plunge to go global.

Over 100 businesses came to the Export Hub during the London tour and attendees heard from the likes of City Tech Tours, where participants in the session had the opportunity to learn to play international markets in a live game of Risk.

Other highlights included inspiring presentations from Movement Strategies, Russell Finex, Avlaki Olive Oil and Arsenal FC.

For those unable to make it to the hub itself, key sessions were live-streamed on Twitter through Periscope.

Recent statistics show that exporting among London businesses increased by 12% during 2015, growing to the value of £32.5 billion.** Given that exporters of all sizes are more productive, innovative and resilient to economic downturns, even more London companies should be thinking about exporting.

The Export Hub Roadshow is part of Exporting is GREAT, the Government’s most ambitious export campaign to inspire 100,000 more businesses to export by 2020. The year-long Exporting is GREAT Roadshow is travelling the length and breadth of the country.

The innovative Export Hub is equipped with interactive and handheld touch screens, wi-fi, a private Skype zone, meeting booths and a networking/meeting space for up to 30 people.

Commenting on the Export Hub’s visit to the capital, Parveen Thornhill UKTI Regional Director for London, said: “I was delighted to welcome so many people to the Export Hub in London during its four day visit. It gave London companies a great chance to gain invaluable advice, inspiration and support to expand their businesses abroad.

“London is a thriving commercial centre, famous for our creativity, tech and innovation. With ‘Brand Britain’ increasingly in demand abroad, companies must look to international markets to help grow their business further.”

* Partners that attended and supported the Export Hub Roadshow included BT, Santander, UK Export Finance, Lloyds, RBS, Natwest, Barclays, HSBC, Federation of Small Businesses and the Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, which co-hosted the Heathrow event.

** HM Revenue & Customs, Regional Trade Statistics, published 3 March 2016: See here: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/RTS/Pages/default.aspx

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by UKTI London .