Timely event to kick-start debate about selling overseas

On 29th March, the day Prime Minister Theresa May will trigger Article 50, the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is hosting an event to increase debate and awareness of international trade opportunities to an audience of local SME owners.

The well-timed event, called “Let’s talk… selling overseas”, forms part of the LEP’s #LetsTalkRealBusiness campaign which aims to make business support as no-nonsense, honest and straightforward as possible. LEP research shows that the value of goods exported from Leeds City Region is around two thirds of the total amount from Yorkshire and Humber, currently around £14bn.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the LEP, and recently returned from a China trade mission, said:

“I will be making the case that we need to be a City Region where trading internationally is commonplace.

“Now, more than ever, I believe we must be on the front foot and not adopt a wait and see position to changes we know are coming.

“In China, I saw first-hand the potential for Leeds City Region businesses and the LEP is actively promoting new opportunities.”

“We want to support the people who run businesses here to be first in the queue for new opportunities and this event is the place where we’ll do that.”

Elmwood, a global brand design consultancy that started in Leeds and now has studios in London, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Melbourne, is kindly hosting the event at their recently renovated studio in Holbeck.

Jonathan Sands, OBE, Vexillifer Elmwood said:

“I’m delighted to be able to host this event as the challenges posed by BREXIT and an ever shrinking world driven by globalisation make expansion overseas vital in my view to ensure a sustainable and valuable business.

“I will be sharing my experiences (good and bad) with the audience and hope to encourage like-minded business people to be part of a community that supports international trade and is open to new opportunities.”

The panel also includes Kevin Butterworth of Seabrooks Crisps, Robin Hilton of ResearchBods and Victoria Hopkins of Hopkins, all local businesses at different stages of trading internationally. In addition, John Pemberton-Pigott from the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), will speak about trade opportunities in the Commonwealth and their programme to help SMEs.

If you would like an informal chat about opportunities and support available, please contact our Growth Service team on 0113 348 1818 or email businessgrowth@the-LEP.com.