International Trade International Trade
T: 0121 725 8994 E:
ibh@birmingham-chamber.com
International team welcomes advisers
The Chamber’s international team has been boosted by two new advisers from the Department of International Trade, Clare McKee and Andy Hipgrave. Both will be helping businesses in and around
Birmingham to expand their activities in the field of export sales. Clare McKee will be focused on the business
and professional services sector within the Birmingham area, helping businesses make more international sales. Her background is in sales and marketing,
working with enterprise level companies and several well-known brands.
Right now it is really important that businesses reach out to us if they need support from our team
She has worked on two major business
support programmes within the West Midlands, helping develop sales and marketing plans for ambitious small businesses.
DIT offers further support for exporters
The Government has launched a new multi- million scheme to help exporters get back on their feet following the damage caused by coronavirus. The Department for International Trade’s
(DIT) Export Growth Plan will provide financial support and expertise, some targeted towards specific regions, including a £38m fund for small businesses to help them grow their overseas trading activities. As part of the new measures, the DIT is
appointing 64 new international trade advisors, and setting up an Export Academy in the Northern Powerhouse, Midlands Engine and the South West regions. A new pilot Export Academy will also be introduced to support smaller businesses in the same areas. Graham Stuart, Minister for Exports, said:
“The package will ensure businesses are supported from the start, with more funding, more Trade Advisors and the establishment of the Export Academy to help businesses build back better.” Sector-specific support has previously
been unveiled for businesses in the agriculture, food and drink, tech and retail industries.
42CHAMBERLINK December 2020/January 2021
James Paddock: an interesting time to be joining the team
In addition, Clare will be developing a series
of online events that will demystify how to identify, reach and win international business. She will ensure all attendees have one-to-one meetings and action plans developed. Andy Hipgrave has worked in international e-
commerce logistics for the last 16 years in various capacities. His experience includes working as a regional
manager for Skynet International, as a national manager for Global Freight Solutions and as global manager for Europost. He lived in Hong Kong for a year and has an
extensive network of contacts, including Russia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, China. He said: “My role will be act as a specialist
within the service sector. I will give guidance and assistance to existing exporters of services, but also expand this to potential manufacturers who sell a service in addition to actual goods. “I will also inform potential exporters of the
markets and major opportunities, such as Paris Olympics 2024, for many types of sectors from creative, legal to architecture and immersive technology.”
Chamber international director Mandy Haque
(pictured) said: “As part of the Department for International Trade levelling up programme I am delighted that we have two new sector specific advisers join our team. “It demonstrates commitment to the
business, professional and service sectors within our region and supports our businesses even more through the excellent assistance that our advisers offer through the international trade programme. “Right now it is really important that
businesses reach out to us if they need support from our team. As well as the new advisers, there are specialists that can help in a variety of sectors so the message is to get in touch via our website.”
Apprentice to support docs
James Paddock has joined the documentation team at the Chamber as a documentation administration apprentice. Fresh from two years of study at Solihull
College and University Centre, he has snapped up the apprenticeship scheme via South and City College, and will be supporting the department in providing documentation services in the lead up to the end of the Brexit transition period.
He’s hoping to receive his certification to
certify documentation from the British Chambers of Commerce this month. He said: “I chose to take this apprenticeship as
I felt that my personal skills and qualities matched those required for this role and this apprenticeship will give me the chance to improve and develop these skills and qualities further. “It’s an interesting time to be joining the team
now with Brexit coming into place from 1 January. There are bits of unknown and uncertainties about what changes are going to occur because of Brexit but what I do know is that there will be lots of work to do and lots of questions and queries to be answered. “I’m looking forward to receiving my
documentation certification from the British chambers so that I’m fully prepared and trained to help the team through a busy time.” Rebecca Waterfield, head of employer
engagement at South and City College, said: “Apprentices are vital to organisations to allow
them to build talent pipeline and upskill their work force to meet the needs of the business in these challenging times. “In these times where young people are being
most disadvantaged it is fantastic to see opportunities still coming through and candidates getting their start on the career ladder.”
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