Selling internationally – a game changer for business growth: hosted by The Department for Business and Trade and Invest Northern Ireland

Registration for this event is now closed.

If you would like to express an interest in attending, please email teamdbtnorthernireland@businessandtrade.gov.uk

In-person event at Invest Northern Ireland, Bedford Square, 1 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7ES

This is for businesses that have either never sold overseas, but have the potential to do so, or are looking to expand into new international markets.

Delegates will learn about the depth of export support on offer in Northern Ireland and overseas.

They will hear about how Free Trade Agreements have significantly improved trading conditions in a wide range of markets where there is a high demand for UK goods and services.

A panel of Northern Ireland Export Champions will discuss their export journeys, experiences, challenges and successes.

It is also a great opportunity to network with other NI businesses and export support organisations.

Places are limited so please do register quickly!

Agenda:

09:00 Arrival, networking and refreshments

09:30 DBT support overview

09:40 Invest NI support overview

09:50 Hear from David Johnstone, Head of DBT’s Free Trade Agreement Utilisation Team, on how your business can benefit from the UK’s Free Trade Agreements with India, CPTPP (Asia-Pacific), Australia and New Zealand.

10:20 NI Export Champions panel and Q&A:

• Audrey Tuck, Head of Sales, Bellamianta (Retail/Consumer Goods)
• Bob McDonald, Managing Director, Burren Balsamics (Food & Drink)
• Mark McGivern, Senior Vice President, First Derivative (Financial Services)
• Philip McKee, Sales Manager, Biopanda Reagents (Health & Life Sciences)

11:05 Closing comments

11:10 Networking

11.30 Close

Speakers

Joanne (Jo) Freeman - DBT NI Head of Export Delivery

Before her current role Jo was posted to Toronto as Country Director for Trade and Investment delivery across Canada. Prior to this, Jo spent 6 years in Australia, as Deputy Consul General and, thereafter, Director for Trade and Investment based in Sydney. In 2019 she was appointed British Consul General for Queensland and the Northern Territory, based in Brisbane and continued as DBT’s Australia Country Director. Other roles include First secretary for Trade and Investment in India and Deputy Regional Director for London with responsibility for managing stakeholder relationships and helping local businesses explore export opportunities.

Moira Loughran – Invest NI, Head of Exports

Working with a range of local and international partners, Moira leads the NI Connections team in Belfast within Invest NI’s International division. She works closely with well-established diaspora connections in many locations around the world where Invest NI and a wide range of NI Stakeholders are seeking to help attract trade opportunities that will benefit the Northern Ireland economy. Moira is a graduate of Ulster University with a BA in European Business Studies and Spanish.

Peter Curran MCIEx – Invest NI, Head of Dual Market Access

Peter has held senior positions at INI since January 2020 including as Head of International Trade Policy, a role he also held at the NI Department for the Economy. From September 2016 he served as INI’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific based in Beijing. Peter studied Mechanical Engineering at Ulster University and has an MBA.

David Johnstone - DBT Head of FTA Utilisation Team

David leads DBT’s work on ensuring that businesses are capitalising on the commercial advantages of the UK’s new FTAs. Most recently, he oversaw the department's campaign to promote the UK's accession to the CPTPP trading bloc, and his team are now working to raise awareness and understanding of the UK's recently signed FTA with India. Previously, David was Head of Policy for Europe within DBT's Export Support Service, where he supported exporters in adapting to the new post-Brexit trading relationship with the European Union. David is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh with an MA in Economics.

Export Champion Panel:

Audrey Tuck, Head of Sales, Bellamianta (Retail/Consumer Goods)

Audrey has led Bellamianta’s successful expansion into seven new international countries. With more than 20 years’ experience working at senior levels within the beauty and fashion industry including, Benefit Cosmetics and Karen Millen, Audrey brings a wealth of commercial experience and a genuine passion for helping brands grow globally. As a DBT Export Champion she champions international trade and inspires others to explore new markets with confidence. Audrey is a graduate of Ulster University with a degree in Business Management, Marketing and Support Services.

Bob McDonald, Managing Director, Burren Balsamics (Food & Drink)

Burren Balsamics is a multi-award-winning business founded in 2014 by Susie Hamilton-Stuber. Bob joined a few years later having spent many years working within the culinary industry. The business produces vinegars, chutneys and condiments using 100% natural ingredients and sells products in the UK and internationally including to major retailers such as Harrods and Spinneys in London. Forty-five percent of the company’s sales are from markets across the globe and it recently signed a deal with luxury Mexican department store, El Palacio de Hierro.

Mark McGivern, Senior Vice President, Client Solutions, First Derivative.

Mark has worked with FD since 2011. He is currently Project Director for an AI Development Centre in the firm's Newry & Belfast offices. His experience includes developing FD’s award-winning Capital Markets Training Programme and helping to establish FD NI offices as Centres of Excellence for global customer near-shore support services, consulting and development activities. Mark also works with First Derivative's new owner, EPAM Systems, to develop its service offering on the island of Ireland. Prior to joining FD, he worked for 10 years with the World Bank and other multilateral agencies. He received his education at the University of St Andrews and Harvard Business School.

Philip McKee BSc Hons PgDip (Sales Manager)

Philip has a background in both Science and Sales, with a Bachelor of Sciences Degree with Honours in Genetics from Queens University, Belfast. Philip also has over a decade of Sales experience in the retail industry. As Sales Manager, Philip oversees business development, marketing of products, as well as handling distributor agreements, advertising, communications and managing the sales team.