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Are you looking to grow your business? Whether you are a seasoned exporter or looking at overseas markets with fresh eyes, this business growth forum will provide the inspiration and support you need to take your business to the next level.
Join UK Export Finance (UKEF), in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and independent export finance experts, for an informative morning of networking, discussion and presentations showcasing the support available for UK companies looking to supercharge their business by trading overseas.
Our experts will provide insights into the prospects for global trade in 2025/26, highlighting key trends and considerations to be aware of along your journey.
You will also hear from successful local businesses about the opportunities and challenges involved in exporting and learn how they have found new markets, won overseas contracts and overcome the funding challenges to boost their business growth.
Why attend?
The UK is a large but finite market. To increase sales and profits, ambitious businesses must therefore look to the world for new opportunities. The UK rightly holds an enviable reputation for producing high quality, innovative, well designed and engineered products and services. Even during these times of global political and economic uncertainty, there is strong demand. But the manner in which business is conducted gains greater importance and UK business values of honesty, integrity and reliability are deemed as second to none.
Don't miss this opportunity to discover the range of support that is available to assist your business’ growth, maximise its potential and achieve your ambitions.
What to Expect:
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Meet representatives from UK Export Finance, West Midlands Combined Authority, Department for Business and Trade and finance solutions providers to understand the support available to current and future exporters.
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Learn how your business can overcome common barriers to exporting, from finding the right opportunity, to accessing finance.
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Hear first-hand experiences from local businesses, C Brandauer & Co Ltd, Mechatronic Production Systems Ltd and OM Synergies Ltd, about their growth strategies and the support they have leveraged to expand internationally.
Meet our Speakers
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Anne Lockett, UK Export Finance (UKEF) Anne has been an Export Finance Manager for UK Export Finance for over 10 years helping companies of all sizes access financial support for their exports. She is regionally based supporting businesses in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire. Prior to this, Anne had an extensive banking career beginning in branch at Nat West before moving to the bank’s international division in London where she spent more than a decade in corporate finance as a credit analyst working with companies and banks in Europe as well as more challenging markets in Africa and the Middle East. Anne then spent the next decade with ABN AMRO Bank marketing to the top 250 FTSE companies and their subsidiaries. |
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Paul Edwards, West Midlands Combined Authority Paul Edwards is Head of Economic Development and Delivery at the West Midlands Combined Authority. As part of his role, he is responsible for the publicly funded business support ecosystem in the West Midlands – Business Growth West Midlands – along with mobilisation and support for the region’s medium term high growth strategy, Plan for Growth with a focus on high growth potential clusters. He is also responsible for the Business Energy Advice Service pilot, delivered in conjunction with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, aimed at helping West Midlands businesses reduce their energy usage and boosting their productivity. Paul has a 15-year career in regional economic development working across policy, practice and delivery for universities, local enterprise partnerships and central government departments. Most recently, prior to joining WMCA, he ran his own economic development consultancy business. |
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Ajay Desai, Department for Business and Trade Ajay started his career as a regional manager in one of the largest home-grown personal care companies in India. He immigrated to the UK in 1989 and secured a Masters in Business Administration with a focus on the EU and international marketing. Formerly Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber’s Trade Director, responsible for overseeing International Trade delivery in Coventry & Warwickshire, Ajay is currently Adviser Team Manager for DBT – Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry & Warwickshire – leading a team of 10 International Trade Advisors. He also leads on the Automotive in Advisory Services for the English Regions and runs a regular automotive community of Interest group. |
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Rowan Crozier, C Brandauer & Co Ltd Rowan Crozier is CEO of Birmingham-based Brandauer, a 163-year-old metal stamping and precision toolmaking specialist that produces millions of parts that are sent across the world every week. The Loughborough engineering graduate, who is chair of the Make UK National Advisory board and Co-Chair of the Industry Advisory Board for Birmingham City University, is a massive advocate of developing our engineers of the future, putting in place a bespoke apprenticeship programme that currently accounts for 15% of the firm’s workforce, whist advocating communication, technicality, and entrepreneurship as the core foundations of employability of all emerging engineers. Rowan was awarded an MBE in 2024 for his services to manufacturing and enterprise. |
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Tony Parker-Watkins, Mechtech Automation Group Tony Parker-Watkins is the Managing Director of Mechtech Automation Group, a leading provider of integrated automation solutions. Tony joined Mechtech in 2014 as the Business Development Manager. His exceptional leadership and vision led to his promotion to Sales Director in 2020. In November 2022, Tony was appointed as the Managing Director. With over 29 years of experience in advanced automation, Tony has been instrumental in shaping Mechtech's strategy and growth. His expertise spans various aspects of automation, including smart factory solutions, factory automation, robotics and engineering excellence. Under his leadership, Mechtech continues to innovate and deliver cutting-edge automation systems to its clients. |
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Ian Fletcher, Fletcher Trade Services Ltd Ian has over 40 years of Banking & Finance experience predominantly in the Trade Finance & Working Capital arenas. After leaving his International Trade Director role at RBS / NatWest in 2018, his passion for Trade Finance and its application to unlock the growth potential of SMEs trading domestically and international, motivated him to establish Fletcher Trade Finance Ltd. Over the past 7 years, Ian has been able to provide bespoke funding solutions to UK SME exporters, enabling them to deliver their growth aspirations through export trade. As required, he has aligned with partners to deliver the solutions and still provides advice to a number of these businesses as a ‘trusted advisor’. |
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Abhishek Agarwal, OM Synergies Limited Abhishek Agarwal is the dynamic CEO of OM Synergies Limited, a fast-growing company specializing in metal recycling and sustainable raw materials. Under his leadership, the company has significantly expanded its global footprint, sourcing from and exporting to over 25 countries across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. With a sharp focus on value-driven trade and circular economy principles, Abhishek has positioned OM Synergies as a key player in international supply chains, particularly in the scrap metals sector. His expertise spans global sourcing, compliance, export finance, and international trade strategy, making him a sought-after voice in the world of sustainable industrial growth. |
Agenda:
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09:15 - 10:00 |
Arrival, Drink refreshments & Networking |
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10:00 - 11:00 |
Welcome Accessing Finance to Win Orders, Fulfil Contracts and Get Paid |
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11:00 - 11:30 |
Interval, Drink refreshments & Networking |
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11:30 - 12:20 |
Funding solutions for your International Growth Aspirations.
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12:20 - 13:30 |
Lunch and Networking |
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13:30 |
Departure |
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Details |
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| Business Growth through Exporting Forum | |||||
| Date: Tuesday 17 June 2025 | |||||
| Time: 09:30 - 13:30 | |||||
| Location: The Studio | 7 Cannon Street | Birmingham | B2 5EP | |||||
Contact UK Export Finance |
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| Please contact UKEF if you have any queries regarding export finance and how they can help you to win export contracts, fulfil orders and get paid. | |||||
| email: customer.service@ukexportfinance.gov.uk | |||||
| visit: www.ukexportfiannce.gov.uk | |||||
Contact DBT Midlands |
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| If you have any queries relating to international trade why not contact us. With staff in offices across the globe, we can help you find the answers. | |||||
| email: dbtmidlands@businessandtrade.gov.uk | |||||
| call: 0300 303 8955 | |||||
| visit: great.gov.uk | |||||
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Registration
Places at our event are limited, so use the button below to register your interest to join us today.
Anything missing? If there is a particular challenge or issue you would like us to address, please let us know when you register.
For any other export related enquiries contact the Department for Business and Trade in the Midlands at dbtmidlands@businessandtrade.gov.uk or call our export support service on 0300 303 8955.
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Organised by:
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Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the Government Department that helps UK based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high-quality investment to the UK’s dynamic economy, acknowledged as Europe’s best place in which to succeed in global business.
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