Join the Department for International Trade (DIT) and a range of service providers to hear how you can grow your business internationally, and join informal one-to-one meetings for tailored advice and next steps.
This event will be suitable for companies in any sector, whether you are new to exporting or an experienced exporter wanting to refresh your knowledge and connect with new contacts.
We are pleased to be delivering this event in partnership with Craven District Council as part of the Langcliffe Quarry Enterprise Centre project, using funds from the European Regional Development Fund.
Why Attend?
- Hear about the services available to support your business and grow your exports, including an update on the UK Export Academy
- See how a local DIT Export Champion has successfully expanded their business overseas
- Learn how UK Export Finance can support your business, and about their specific offer for SMEs
- Get an update on York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s International Trade Strategy and opportunities in the local area
- Learn about Chamber International's new International Trade Qualification
- Interact with our expert panel including Christopher Laycock from Hi-Pro Performance Tuning Ltd
- Meet with the speakers for tailored advice and network with new contacts
- Get support and plan your next steps for international growth
Join us on 9 February and find out how to take your next steps in growing your business internationally.
Location
The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa
Coniston Cold
Skipton
BD23 4EA
In partnership with
Partners and Speakers
Mark Ashton
Principal, Resolve Gets Results
Mark has 35 years of export experience, including 5 years living and running a business in the USA. For the last 8 years he and his team at Resolve have been helping UK companies to export to North America and companies from Eastern Europe to enter the UK market.
In November 2022, Resolve launched an export accelerator called 'xporter' in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) UK. They are now heavily involved in UK/India trade as well as UK/North America. xporter is an export accelerator designed to help leaders and teams to overcome the challenges of building a thriving export businesses.
Peter Bainbridge
Export Adviser, Chamber International
Peter is a former British diplomat whose career included roles as commercial counsellor at the British Embassy in Bogota and deputy director for the Western Balkans. His career started as an export advisor at what is now the Department for International Trade. Passionate about international trade, Peter is fluent in French and Spanish.
Mark Bates
International Business Relationship Manager, York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership
The York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is a public-private partnership charged with driving economic growth and prosperity across York and North Yorkshire. We are one of 38 LEPs in the national LEP Network and one of the 11 LEPs in the NP11 partnership.
Reay Clarke
Export Manager, King Cole
King Cole is a leading brand of knitting patterns and high quality wool and yarns based in Skipton. Reay joined King Cole in August 2021 and has recently taken over as the Export Manager, having worked in a general role overseeing operations across the company prior. Before King Cole, Reay was an officer in the Royal Regiment of Scotland. During his time in the Army he deployed to Ukraine, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Afghanistan. Whilst quite new to the hand-knitting industry, what he lacks in experience he makes up for in enthusiasm. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, running, skiing and anything else that gets him outdoors.
Gary Fawcett
CEO, Skillsforge
Gary is CEO of SkillsForge, a Software as a Service business spun out of the University of York. SkillsForge provides its solution to universities across the world predominantly for the support and management of postgraduate researchers.
Gary is also a DIT Export Champion, sharing his learning and experiences with new and prospective exporters, giving encouragement and support about the benefits of selling overseas.
Daniel McPartlan
Export Finance Manager, UK Export Finance
Daniel is the Export Finance Manager for North Yorkshire, Teesside, Humberside and Northern Ireland for UK Export Finance, the world’s first Export Credit Agency.
UKEF’s mission is to advance prosperity by ensuring no viable UK export fails for lack of finance and insurance, doing that sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer.
Prior to joining UKEF in December 2021, Daniel spent seven years working in finance, including various roles at Skipton Building Society. He has extensive experience helping SME and corporate businesses with funding and supporting them on their export growth journey.
Caroline Wilson
Partnership Manager, Department for International Trade Yorkshire and the Humber
At the Department for International Trade our mission is to inspire and support businesses to export their goods and services.
As Partnership Manager for DIT in Yorkshire and Humber, Caroline’s role is to develop close regional links and local connections with regional leaders and business support organisations, and to be an independent and trusted advocate for international trade. By supporting and working with partners, we aim to improve the reach, quality, co-ordination and take-up of export services in the region to support clients to grow their productivity and sales through exporting.
Agenda
09:00 - 09:30
Arrival, Refreshments and Networking
09:30 - 09:35
Welcome and Introductions
Stefan Sykes, Craven District Council
09:35 - 09:45
DIT Services & Export Academy Update
Caroline Wilson, Partnerships Manager, DIT
09:45 - 10:00
DIT Export Champion Case Study
Gary Fawcett, CEO, Skillsforge
10:00 - 10:10
UK Export Finance Overview
Daniel McPartlan, Export Finance Manager, UK Export Finance
10:10 - 10:20
International Trade Qualification
Peter Bainbridge, Export Adviser, Chamber International
10:20 - 10:30
Updates from York & North Yorkshire LEP
Mark Bates, International Business Relationship Manager, YNY LEP
10:30 - 10:35
Xporter Overview
Mark Ashton, Principal, Resolve Gets Results
10:35 - 11:05
Expert Panel Session
Gary Fawcett, Skillsforge; Reay Clarke, King Cole, Christopher Laycock, Director, Hi-Pro Performance Tuning Ltd
11:05 - 11:10
Next Steps
Stefan Sykes/Caroline Wilson
11:10 - 12:00
Informal Networking and Meetings
All speakers