Meet the Speakers
Learn from the experiences of successful women in international trade.
Inspirational Women's Panel Facilitator
Parveen Thornhill
Head of Strategic Business Development, DBT
Parveen works strategically with Partners to help businesses grow globally. Parveen’s experience as a senior leader, includes leading trade services in London; and working with Devolved Administrations. With an MBA in Public Sector Management, Parveen has a 20-year track record of delivering successful trade programmes.
Inspirational Women's Panel
Rachel Blackburn MBE
Director, US2U Consulting
US2U Consulting, based in Norfolk, delivers a range of tailored management consultancy services to enable businesses to be more successful. These include business planning, building brand values, setting the culture, developing the people and executive coaching. As an Export Champion, US2U Consulting has delivered these services across various parts of Europe and the Middle East. Its current focus is India and the US.
The company attributes up to 30% of its turnover to export. Rachel’s top tips are, ”to use all networks including DBT to build relationships with key decision makers and influencers, to take advantage of any trade missions, training, conferences and any funding that’s available and then be persistent; international new business tends not to happen overnight.”
Inspirational Women's Panel
Nagma Ebanks-Beni MBE
CEO, Prima Cheese
Multi Award winning Prima Cheese was established in 1996 with a strong family heritage at the heart of the business. With a 28 year history, Prima Cheese has grown to become the UK’s leading cheese processor within the B2B market. Established and well respected for its innovative and fresh approach, Prima has diversified from its core product of pizza cheese into becoming one of the nation's top dairy processors, supplying primarily into food service and food manufacturing markets.
Always looking to expand and push its boundaries, Prima Cheese entered into markets in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since! Opening its first office outside of Prima HQ in the North East, the company has invested in establishing a London office to grow its Commercial Team to accommodate its ambitions for 24/25. Prima Cheese won the Queen’s Award in 2021 along with a host of other accolades and industry awards over the years for its business process and investment in its people. Nagma says “Export was a key growth channel which today sees the company exporting its products to over 55 markets worldwide. Demand remains strong for our product internationally, with plans underway to expand into new and emerging markets in the coming year.”
Inspirational Women's Panel
Grace Olugbodi
Founder, BeGenio
BeGenio is an early stage, social impact business creating products that helps children love maths. The company’s aim is to make maths fun and less daunting for kids and their parents using EdTech.
BeGenio uses play-learning, maths gamification and creative, innovative teaching methodologies to increase confidence, fluency, critical, analytical, creative thinking and eradicate mathematical anxiety.
Inspirational Women's Panel
Julianne Ponan MBE
Founder, Creative Nature
Julianne became owner and CEO of Creative Nature, a superfood brand, in 2012. Surrey based Creative Nature creates free from snacks, home baking mixes and superfoods that are free from the top 14 allergens and contain less sugar than other brands. Its products are stocked in Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Tesco. Julianne was also awarded an MBE for Business, Export and helping people with allergies.
Creative Nature currently exports to over 16 countries including the Middle East, Singapore, Australia and USA. Exporting has helped Creative Nature to increase its turnover and, because its products are manufactured in Britain, this holds a lot of prestige. Julianne advises: “Research the market before you enter it. It’s important to find the right partners or distributors and make yourself available to speak with them in their time zone. If offering exclusive distribution, make sure you have an agreement in place on the length of time and the termination clauses just in case it doesn’t work out.”
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Emma Hill
International Tade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Matilde Murphy
International Tade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Klara Ovcackova
Senior Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade, British Embassy Prague
Klara is a Senior Trade Adviser in DBT's International Markets Europe team, where she supports export-ready UK companies all over Europe. She also heads up Europe's Export Support Directory, a portfolio of third-party service providers capable of delivering services to UK companies.
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Veronika Stepankova
Senior Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade, British Embassy Prague
Veronika works at the Department for Business and Trade, International Markets at the British Embassy in Prague as a Senior Trade Adviser at the Europe Trade Hub. She helps British companies to find relevant export advise and support from the European network.
Export Deep Dive 1: Navigating New Markets: A Guide to Effective Market Entry Research
Kerry Stagg
International research Advisory Manager, Department for Business and Trade
Kerry Stagg heads up the International Market Research team for the Southern England Region, and has been supporting UK exporters with DIT for 10 years. A strategic thinker with over 25 years’ experience in strategy planning, consumer insight, and competitor and market intelligence. Kerry has a strong retail background having worked for Boots the Chemist and the UK food retailer Somerfield. In addition, Kerry has also worked agency-side for companies that specialise in working with SMEs, public sector organisations, and market entry strategy for the UK and world-wide.
Export Deep Dive 2: Bridging Cultures: Mastering Communication for Global Success
Claire Snowdon
International Tade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Export Deep Dive 4: Navigating Compliance: Mastering the New EU and UK General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR)
Andrea Collins
Managing Director, Global Trade Department
Andrea is a customs and global regulation expert with almost 30 years in international trade. She founded Global Trade Department to assist SMEs with their import/export related ambitions and challenges, including but not limited to removing barriers to export, reducing costs of import, and UK and global trade regulatory compliance.
Export Deep Dive 5: Global Identity: Strategies for Internationalising your Brand
Charlie Garnham
Digital Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Welcome
Sharon McCarthy
Adviser Team Manager, DBT
Sharon's journey as an International Trade Adviser began in 1998, following five years in Overseas Business Development with a US company. Renowned for her expertise and dedication, she was appointed Adviser Team Manager for Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire in 2010.
Throughout her tenure, Sharon has not only supported and developed her external clients but also has proved herself an exceptional manager within DBT, nurturing and developing a dynamic team, showcasing her leadership and mentorship skills. Adept at client relations and possessing extensive experience in international trade dynamics, Sharon's commitment to delivering the best and most comprehensive services is unwavering. Her influence extends beyond her immediate sphere, representing her organisation both domestically and internationally with professionalism and dedication.
Navigating the Future: Key Global Economic Trends
Professor Sangeeta Khorana
Aston University
Professor Sangeeta Khorana is the Endowed Chair of International Trade Policy at Aston Business School. She holds a PhD from the University of St. Gallen, a summa cum laude Master's in Trade Law and Economics, and an MA in Economics. Her research encompasses numerous books, chapters, and over 70 journal articles on trade policy. She has led projects for global institutions such as the European Commission, World Bank, and Commonwealth Secretariat. Beyond academia, Professor Khorana serves as a Trustee Director on boards in the UK, USA, and India. She is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade (MCIEx) and a Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy.
Inspirational Women's Panel
Dr Eve Davies
Co-Founder & Communications Director, ProtectaPet Ltd.
ProtectaPet Ltd, is a King's Award-winning company dedicated to ensuring cats' safety outdoors while giving their owners peace of mind. ProtectaPet is an internationally recognised leader in cat fencing solutions, operating from three UK depots and supported by a European hub in Rotterdam. With the success of its French and Dutch websites, the company is poised to become a global household name, offering expertly designed solutions to keep cats safe outdoors.
Beyond her role at ProtectaPet, Eve is a dedicated advocate for UK businesses and is Deputy President of the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, contributing to the region’s representation on the global stage.
Inspirational Women's Panel
Tajinder Banwait MBE
Founder & Managing Director, Urban Apothecary London
A successful beauty entrepreneur and business leader, Tajinder Banwait MBE has grown her fragrance lifestyle brand, Urban Apothecary London, into one of the UK’s most dynamic companies. As the perfumer-alchemist, she created this multi-million-pound business in 2012 from her kitchen table in Leicester. This unique British brand manufactures and retails luxury home, bath and body products.
Exporting began in 2018, and now, the modern apothecary collection can be found in 34 international markets. Accolades include a 2022 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade for outstanding short-term growth in overseas sales. Early in 2024, recognising the positive impact of her work, Tajinder was awarded an MBE for services to Business and the Beauty Industry. Tajinder has proven to be an influential advocate for international trade.
Inspirational Women's Panel
Elisabeth Lewis-Jones
CEO, Liquid
Elisabeth Lewis-Jones founded Liquid, an integrated marketing communications company, 21 years ago in her mother's garage. Today it operates across 26 jurisdictions and has offices in Brisbane & Melbourne and an HQ in Birmingham. Lis is a former President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and former Chair of the PRCA. She was awarded Freedom of the City of London in 2023, received Fellowship of the PRCA for global services to the PR Industry in 2024 and in 2025 was named Business Woman of the Year.
Inspirational Women's Panel
Liz Villani
Founder, BeYourselfAtWork
BeYourselfAtWork is a B2B technology movement working to amplify uniqueness and productivity at work. The BY@W product, iAM, has been exported to 21 countries. Based in the East Midlands, Liz is a seasoned exporter and active member of the UK business community. With an enormous passion for the world of work, she is successfully challenging tech giants, governments and businesses to create a shift in humanity because of how we work.
Inspirational Women's Panel Facilitator
Shernel Stevenson
Deputy Head - Overseas Engagement, Department for Business and Trade
Shernel has been instrumental in supporting and guiding businesses in expanding into global markets, navigating trade complexities, and building strong international relationships. Throughout her career, Shernel has led and mentored high-performing teams, empowering businesses to seize overseas opportunities and thrive in competitive international markets.
Passionate about supporting and inspiring women in business, Shernel champions diversity and inclusion in global trade. As such she is the Midlands representative for the Women’s International Networking programme an initiative designed to increase participation of women-led businesses in international trade. A structured and supportive environment for women to grow their businesses and realise their export potential.
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Jayne Shields
International Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Jayne has been supporting businesses of all sizes and business sectors to grow and develop for the last 10 years. Before becoming a business adviser, she was a marketing professional for 20 years, working in both large multi-nationals and SMEs, responsible for strategic marketing, marketing communications, category management, resource management and planning; and working with international teams in Europe, Middle East and USA. Her industry experience covers manufacturing, materials handling, security and safety, construction products and DIY brands.
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Susan Roe
International Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Susan Roe is a multi lingual international trade specialist currently providing advice and guidance to UK businesses as a DBT International Trade Adviser. Over the past decade and a half, Susan has consulted and training businesses on various elements of international trade, with specialisms in global e-commerce, customs compliance, international digital marketing/website internationalisation, international communications and building overseas distributor networks.
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Klara Ovcackova
Senior Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade, British Embassy Prague
Klara is a Senior Trade Adviser in DBT's International Markets Europe team, where she supports export-ready UK companies all over Europe. She also heads up Europe's Export Support Directory, a portfolio of third-party service providers capable of delivering services to UK companies.
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Veronika Stepankova
Senior Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade, British Embassy Prague
Veronika works at the Department for Business and Trade, International Markets at the British Embassy in Prague as a Senior Trade Adviser at the Europe Trade Hub. She helps British companies to find relevant export advise and support from the European network.
Export Deep Dive 1: Navigating New Markets: A Guide to Effective Market Entry Research
Helene Rattin
International Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Helene is an insightful Market Research Analyst with over 10 years of experience in analysing, synthesising data and delivering bespoke market research. Projects cover all sectors and include market intelligence, route to market and competitor analysis. An analytical thinker and problem solver, Helene has been helping British companies, over the past 25 years, to grow and develop nationally and internationally.
Export Deep Dive 2: Bridging Cultures: Mastering Communication for Global Success
Gerti Willis
Culture & Communication Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Gerti is a licensed trainer in one of the most effective methods for cross-cultural training: The Lewis Model of Culture / Culture Active. She is delivering International Cultural Communication training to companies of all sectors and seizes. Her years of experience negotiating contracts with language trainers from many countries and cultural backgrounds have given her in-depth knowledge of cultural diversity. She previously worked for a charitable organisation in Southern Germany where she was actively involved in setting up Fair-Trade Projects in Kenya, Sri Lanka and India.
Export Deep Dive 3: Strategic Partnerships: Navigating Market Entry with Overseas Partners, Agents, and Distributors
Hari Rai
Specialist Adviser - Complex Markets, Department for Business and Trade
Hari Rai is a Specialist Adviser in the Specialised Trade Advisory and Research Team at Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
Hari delivers an international partnering support service across the regions; helping companies to understand and develop their overseas market entry strategies in challenging global markets. Hari brings a wealth of international experience, covering markets across Europe, USA, Middle East, India, China and Asia. Specialisms include Route to Market advisory from commercial agency, distribution, licensing, franchising, technology and know-how transfers, joint ventures, partner due diligence through to establishing a presence in an overseas market and protecting Intellectual Property assets in global markets,
Export Deep Dive 4: Navigating Compliance: Mastering the New EU and UK General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR)
Andrea Collins
Managing Director, Global Trade Department
Andrea is a customs and global regulation expert with almost 30 years in international trade. She founded Global Trade Department to assist SMEs with their import/export related ambitions and challenges, including but not limited to removing barriers to export, reducing costs of import, and UK and global trade regulatory compliance.
Export Deep Dive 5: Global Identity: Strategies for Internationalising your Brand
Elisabeth Lewis-Jones
CEO, Liquid
Elisabeth Lewis-Jones founded Liquid, an integrated marketing communications company, 21 years ago in her mother's garage. Today it operates across 26 jurisdictions and has offices in Brisbane & Melbourne and an HQ in Birmingham. Lis is a former President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and former Chair of the PRCA. She was awarded Freedom of the City of London in 2023, received Fellowship of the PRCA for global services to the PR Industry in 2024 and in 2025 was named Business Woman of the Year.
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Amanda Rowan
Senior Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Amanda is an International Trade Adviser in Tees Valley and North Yorkshire with a focus on Chemicals and associated supply chains.
She has over 20 years experience of running a business as both a sole trader and Company Director in the UK and Spain. Plus working locally in Tees Valley on a range of business growth support projects.
Unlocking Global Opportunities: How DBT can support you
Veronika Stepankova
Senior Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade, British Embassy Prague
Veronika works at the Department for Business and Trade, International Markets at the British Embassy in Prague as a Senior Trade Adviser at the Europe Trade Hub. She helps British companies to find relevant export advise and support from the European network.
Export Deep Dive 1: Navigating New Markets: A Guide to Effective Market Entry Research
Dr Gary Blackburn
Export Market Research Adviser, DBT
Dr Gary Blackburn has over 20 years' experience as a Market Research practitioner and adviser. Gary has conducted both qualitative and quantitative research in a number of sectors including Financial, Business and Technology and Public Sector.
Export Deep Dive 2: Bridging Cultures: Mastering Communication for Global Success
Amanda Rowan
Senior Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Amanda is an International Trade Adviser in Tees Valley and North Yorkshire with a focus on Chemicals and associated supply chains.
She has over 20 years experience of running a business as both a sole trader and Company Director in the UK and Spain. Plus working locally in Tees Valley on a range of business growth support projects.
Strategic Partnerships: Navigating Market Entry with Overseas Partners, Agents, and Distributors
Hollie Lawson
International Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Hollie has been been working in International Trade for over 12 years and is currently an ITA in DBT. She works with businesses in the North East to Export their products and services overseas by providing advice and support to help them successfully enter new markets.
Export Deep Dive 4: Navigating Compliance: Mastering the New EU and UK General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR)
Andrea Collins
Managing Director / Customs and global regulation expert
Global Trade Department
Andrea is a customs and global regulation expert with almost 30 years in international trade. She founded Global Trade Department to assist SMEs with their import/export related ambitions and challenges, including but not limited to removing barriers to export, reducing costs of import, and UK and global trade regulatory compliance.
Export Deep Dive 5: Global Identity: Strategies for Internationalising your Brand
Amy Hobson
Lead Trainer, SocialB
Amy has worked with SocialB as a Social Media and Digital Marketing Training Partner since 2015. After completing her degrees at Keele University and the University of Birmingham, she has gained over 20 years of varied experience working with many different industries.
Amy loves training and her favourite part of any training course is seeing the “light bulb moments” when the delegates start to understand how digital marketing works and how they can apply it to really make a difference. Knowing that our delegates leave the course armed with the knowledge and a plan to make positive changes is very rewarding.