Trade Sprint: Unlocking CPTPP with Customs and Logistics Experts

Location: Clayton Hotel, St Mary St, Cardiff, CF10 1GD

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is delighted to invite businesses from Wales and the South of England to meet with customs, compliance and logistics specialists from DBT, Expeditors, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), Chambers Wales alongside the Welsh Government, the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade and UK Export Finance.

This event is designed to address common questions relating to Customs, compliance and Rules of Origin provisions within CPTPP when trading in Asia Pacific and Latin American markets. Businesses will have the opportunity to inquire directly with specialists from UK Government and the private sector.

The format will be one-to-one meetings which can be pre-booked with the specialists. There will be insight talks on how to access export opportunities in CPTPP markets and practical information on compliance steps throughout the afternoon.

Please note:

This is an expression of interest and to book your place, please click 'register your interest' and a member of our team will contact you should your application be approved.

Successful applicants will already be selling products overseas or have high export potential and work in customs or logistics areas, requiring in-depth support.

What You'll Learn

• Receive tailored export advice from the experts, specific to your business needs (see the list of Biographies below)
• Gain valuable insights into Customs, compliance and Rules of Origin provisions
• Discover the steps you need to take to enter CPTPP markets from a compliance perspective
• Access support to help you navigate common challenges and improve your export and import strategy whilst developing connections with like-minded businesses

About our Specialists

Chambers Wales:

Eleanor Price – International Trade Executive

After graduating with a degree in international business management, Eleanor hopped straight into the world of international trade. Eleanor handles business documents that allow clients to trade all around the world. Eleanor handles queries regarding trade or international documents on behalf of Chambers Wales.

David Peña – Director of International Trade

As an advocate for international trade, David supports Chambers Wales members through every step of their global journey. Being a native of Catalonia, David understands firsthand the unique dynamics of representing a nation within a nation, along with the distinct challenges and opportunities this brings. Originally from Barcelona, David is fluent in English, Catalan, French, and Spanish, and holds a Level 5 Diploma in International Trade from the Institute of Export.

Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade:

Paul Brooks - Head of Commercial Accounts & Partnerships

Paul joined the Chartered Institute (CI) in May 2022 following a 30+ year career in commercial banking and international trade. He sits on Welsh Government’s Trade Policy Advisor Group (TPAG) and is a member of the Wales Business Council. Paul can offer a general perspective on international trade and introduce the services and solutions that the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade provides to SMEs and individuals. These include training and qualifications as well as advisory services in all aspects of international trade from entry level to expert.

Department for Business and Trade (DBT):

Gareth Evans – Free Trade Agreement Utilisation Team

Gareth Evans is a Senior Account Manager in the Free Trade Agreement Utilisation Team, supporting DBT’s business-facing teams across the UK to understand the new Free Trade Agreements and how businesses can take advantage of these exporting opportunities in these markets. Gareth joined the then Department for International Trade in May 2017. He began his career working on agriculture trade policy and before working at the as Head of Trade Policy in Norway, and Head of Trade and Investment for the Western Balkans in Serbia.

Expeditors:

Gary Hopwood – Regional Healthcare Manager NW Europe & RP for BFS, BHX, BRS & MAN

During the past 28 years, Gary has held roles in Business Development, sector development, Contract Logistics and Solutions design within the Healthcare Logistics industry working for DHL, CEVA Logistics, Tower Cold Chain Solutions and currently Expeditors.

Presently, he is responsible for the development and growth of the Healthcare sector within NW Europe (UK, Ireland & Nordic region). He also has recently taken on the Responsible Person duties for the management and compliance of GDP operations pertaining to the Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distributors License that Expeditors holds at several of its locations in the UK.

Prior to this he held roles working in the Pneumatics industry and also as a Weapons Engineering Mechanic for the Royal Navy.

Wes Mupararano – Supply Chain Design Principal

As a Supply Chain Design Principal, Wes assists customers and clients in enhancing supply chain performance through data, advanced analytics and collaborative improvement projects. Wes joined Expeditors in 2011 and is based in their European Regional Headquarters in London, UK. Prior to this, Wes spent several years in logistics engineering, driving many hundreds of projects from the initial idea or hypothesis, through to comprehensive project deliverables. As a Supply Chain Design Principal, Wes assists customers and clients in enhancing supply chain performance through data, advanced analytics and collaborative improvement projects. His combined experience spans over 20 years in the logistics & supply chain industry from both customer and logistics provider perspectives.

HMRC:

Jacob Cooke – FTA Negotiations and Policy

Jacob leads Free Trade Agreement customs negotiations for HMRC, that includes the Customs & Trade Facilitation, Goods Market Access, Intellectual Property and Digital Chapters.

He has worked across negotiations for a range of the UK’s new FTAs including the EU, Australia, New Zealand and CPTPP. His role is focussed on developing and negotiating policies that benefit UK businesses, focussing on simplification, clarity & efficacy.

Welsh Government:

Andrew Jones – International Trade Adviser

Welsh Government’s Trade Team supports small and medium sized Welsh enterprises on their export journey with a range of great programmes that can help them consider if exporting is right for you, explore new markets, identify new opportunities and overcome logistical and regulatory obstacles. As part of the trade team, Andrew works directly with businesses to help them access this support to develop export sales.