These are critical times for exports, especially in an area where the UK has already quietly excelled: services. In fact, the UK can lay claim to be the second largest exporter of services in the world.
Much hope – by government and the business world – is being pinned on the UK’s ability to build on this trend after transition from the EU ends in December this year.
On 8 July, the opportunities for exporting UK services will be discussed at a webinar sponsored by accountancy firm BDO and hosted by Devonshire House, the business networking group for company directors.
The webinar’s panel features leading business figures including IOE&IT chairman and Manufacturing Policy Advisor at Santander UK, Terry Scuoler CBE, alongside Susan Caldwell, a director of the Department for International Trade.
Free for IOE&IT members
Attendance at the webinar, from 2-3.30pm on Wednesday 8 July, is free for IOE&IT members who can register by emailing marco@export.org.uk expressing an interest in joining.
Marco Forgione, director general of the IOE&IT and a panellist at the webinar, urged Institute members to attend.
“The UK is globally recognised as a centre of excellence for trade in services – an area of our exporting strength that doesn’t get the visibility it deserves. This webinar promises a full and informed discussion about the opportunities awaiting UK services companies.
“So, for IOE&IT members that are service providers - whether you’re a banker, an architect, an accountant, in recruitment, the law or creative industries – this webinar is for you.”
The panellists
Susan Caldwell is Director, Financial & Professional Services at DIT and as such is responsible for leading the government’s trade and investment support to the financial and professional services sectors.
The panel is completed by:
- Lord (Stephen) Green, former Conservative Minister of State for Trade and Investment and group chairman of HSBC Holdings plc from 2006-10
- Kim Hayward, a Senior Audit Partner of BDO, who as the UK firm’s International Liaison Partner, manages relationships with some 140 BDO member firms around the world
- Marco Forgione, Director General of the IOE&IT since January 2020, is the former chief executive of the British Antique Dealers’ Association. Early in his career, he was parliamentary assistant to the-then Shadow Minister of Environment and Urban Affairs.
The panellists will discuss a Position Paper setting out the current penetration of the different elements of the services sector, along with the headline reasons for success and barriers encountered.
A more detailed report and a second webinar are planned for September, with a live event in November.
For more information please click here.
