Expand your business into new and emerging markets – exporting in business.

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Whether you’re a first-time exporter or a seasoned overseas trader looking to branch out into new markets, the Department for International Trade (DIT) provides unmatched international trade advice and practical support to UK-based companies. The Department for International Trade will give you a solid grounding in everything you need to know to begin exporting your products and services.

DIT runs a Passport to Export Service that offers export advice and assessments and support programmes for SMEs. These provide prospective exporters with training, planning and support in order to grow their services overseas.

Open to Export is also a great hub of international trading knowledge. Focusing primarily on SMEs, Open to Export  is an online service that provides bespoke answers to your exporting questions. Also unique to Open to Export  is that in addition to government support, it gives you the opportunity to speak directly to established exporters, lawyers, accountants and independent trade advisors.

For options closer to home, your local Chambers of Commerce offer a range of services to help exporters ‘maintain their competitive edge’ in the international marketplace. Working closely with the DIT, its Global Membership package features cost-saving benefits and added services, including online access to Tate’s Export Guide.

Do also get in touch with UK Export Finance , the UK’s export credit agency. It provides trade finance and insurance solutions and advice to support UK exporters.

If you’re looking for exporting inspiration watch our series of videos, visit Get Exporting to find out about the experiences of local companies that have grown their businesses through exporting.

Don’t forget to consider how you’re going to market yourself. You’ll need to consider how to internationalise your website  and how to protect your IP when trading outside the UK.

Connect with your local Chambers of Commerce

Meet the team

Chris George<br />
Growth Hub Manager

Chris George

Growth Hub Manager

Chris is an experienced professional with over 30 years knowledge and experience in sales and marketing in the public sector along with 15 years working for two mainstream automotive manufacturers in the sub 10,000 fleet. Delivered sustainable change in a vast range of industries, whilst constantly updating and developing core competencies and knowledge.

Working in the Local Authority sector for the last 15 years has resulted in Chris turning around failing territories to becoming some of the best performing areas in the country, with excellent stakeholder engagement and a passion for premium delivery. Outside of work, Chris is a keen gardener, and also likes property restoration and reading.

Ashleigh Jackson<br />
Growth Hub Business Advisor

Ashleigh Jackson

Growth Hub Business Advisor

A proven senior influencer and sales professional with more than 25 years’ experience in brand building and driving category growth within the private sector.

“I have a strong research background, alongside vast experience in sponsorship and corporate events management.

My work has initiated good working partnerships with many Local Authorities across Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire and London. I have also worked with many multi-national brands including KPMG, Barclays, EasyJet, Kingston Smith LLP, London Stansted Airport, Morgan Sindall and Heineken. I’m proud to be able to enhance on the work we do here at the CPCA Growth Hub and build on many success stories.

Away from the business, health and fitness is important to me, being in the great outdoors, and enjoying fun times and relaxation with family and friends”.

Stuart Thomas<br />
Growth Hub Business Advisor

Stuart Thomas

Growth Hub Business Advisor

Stuart is a former small business owner and former Business Link Advisor and has also worked as a project manager for an international IT company, overseeing a large number of IT projects for large corporate enterprises, as well as large public sector organisations.

Stuart has served as a director for an international timber trading company and has also been a director of a local independent radio station, where he mentored a number of new staff. Prior to this he spent time as a secondary school teacher, teaching IT and business studies at both GCSE and A level.

Liana Sannah Growth Hub Business Analyst

Liana Sannah

Growth Hub Business Analyst

Liana is an experienced professional with over 15 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant. Liana has previously been employed by Warner bros, Daily Mirror, Aviva and AXA. These roles have given her a wide range of skills and in a vast range of industries.

Liana has been working in the Local Authority sector for almost three years, as a Growth hub advisor and producing the Monthly BEIS report. In her leisure time, Liana enjoys cooking, interior design and watching movies.