North West Companies encouraged to ‘Export for Growth’

Date published: 14 December 2011

The Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Stephen Green, visited the North West to host the first regional National Challenge: Exporting for Growth event, organised by UK Trade & Investment and sponsored by PwC and HSBC.

This event is part of a long-term initiative to encourage professional organisations to play their part in increasing the number of SME exporters from around 20 per cent to 25 per cent, in line with stronger European competitors.

During the event which was held at the Concorde Conference Centre at Manchester Airport, Lord Green urged North West companies to compete for the “Exporting for Growth” prize. The competition aims to encourage more small businesses to take their products to overseas markets by offering a comprehensive package of support to the company with the best export idea.

The winner will receive UK Trade & Investment support worth £5000 and three grants for overseas travel to their target markets, plus expert business knowledge and insight from sponsor companies HSBC and PwC. SMEs have until Friday 13 January to submit their entry. Shortlisted companies will then be invited to present their big export idea to a live audience of business leaders and a judging panel who will then select the winning idea.

Lord Green said: “Government alone cannot turn round the export performance of this country.

“We need to work with those that have most to do with small companies, can help them to understand the benefits of exporting, and can then help make it a reality.
“Our future prosperity will not come from relying on domestic markets alone. Across the world there are markets that are showing strong, long-term growth. We want to make sure that UK firms are not just trading abroad but thriving there. UKTI has a crucial role to play and will seek to double its client base to around 50,000 over the next three years.”

Clive Drinkwater, Regional Director of UKTI North West, added: “Less than a quarter of the estimated 10,000 medium-sized firms in the UK export, and most of those that do are already receiving help from UKTI.

“I am determined to drive up exports and the number of exporters in the region, and am setting a target of at least 1000 new companies in the North West beginning their export journey with our help in 2012.

“There is demand all around the world for products from the North West but too many of our smaller firms are missing out on these opportunities, and UKTI have the expert staff and the relevant support packages to help them take the first step. All they have to do is pick up the phone and ask to speak to an international trade adviser.

“And for small companies with a big export idea our competition, with the fantastic prize on offer, could be the springboard to international growth that you need. We’re very keen to hear from you, particularly if you’re new to exporting or relatively inexperienced. Just tell us – in 200 words – what your idea is, why it’s workable, and why now is the best time to take it to market.”

Alison Lever, private business partner at PwC in Manchester, said: “Export is critical to lifting the UK out of the economic slump and creating British jobs. By increasing the number of companies who export by roughly a quarter, about £36bn could be added to the UK economy. Clearly, the many SMEs based in the North West have a big part to play in this. In our recent survey of private businesses, over half of the Northern companies surveyed said they expected to expand into new geographical markets as a key proponent of their growth strategy.

“There has been a perception that exporting is only for large companies, but there are plenty of examples of small companies in the region who have taken the leap, overcome the challenges and are now reaping the rewards of exporting. Hopefully, with initiatives likes this one and the help and advice from professional advisors we will see many more North West companies making their dreams of exporting a reality.”

David Beaty, HSBC Regional Commercial Director for the North West added: “Recent HSBC research suggests that UK trade volumes will increase by 60% by 2025, and SMEs will have a critical role in supporting and driving that growth. We appreciate that entering a foreign market for the first time can be a daunting step into the unknown, and this means gaining insights into the way business is done in particular markets and securing introductions can be just as important as the international products we can provide. HSBC and other banks have a vital role to play in helping SMEs access foreign markets, and we are delighted to be working with UKTI to help firms achieve even greater profitability and increase the UK’s GDP growth at the same time.”

About 200 delegates attended the event, with representatives from trade associations, banks, accountancy and legal firms, the Local Enterprise Partnership, Chambers of Commerce, regional and private sector networks as well as companies themselves.

Also speaking at the event were Neil McTiffin, head of PwC’s Northern Consulting practice, Alison Lever, private business partner at PwC in Manchester, David Beaty, Regional Commercial Director of HSBC, David Bell, Chief Corporate Development Officer at JCB, and Clive Memmott, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, participating firms were able to take part in panel discussions with successful North West exporters including ATG Access Ltd, Sellers Engineering Ltd, Barrett Dixon Bell Ltd and Tetrosyl Group, and seminar sessions on a range of export topics such as Export Planning, finding new markets, financing exports and experience of small businesses.

To find out more about the Export for Growth Prize and download an entry form, visit www.ukti.gov.uk/exportingforgrowthprize