Join this online session to hear about the successes and challenges of UK manufacturers exporting to Europe.
Wednesday 23rd April, 11.00 - Midday
Made in Britain invites UK companies to hear from and connect with:
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Two UK manufacturing companies that successfully export to Europe, including Mathmos Ltd.
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The UK Department for Business and Trade's International Markets Team – offering support and advice for UK exporters on exporting to Europe.
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UK Export Academy - a free training programme from the Department for Business and Trade for UK businesses looking to grow their international sales.
Every year, the UK sells more than £350 billion of goods and services to customers in Europe. Major markets include France, Germany and Spain and account for a combined total of more than £120 billion in UK exports. In 2023, the EU accounted for 42% of the UK’s exports.
Since Brexit, the UK’s and EU trading landscape has changed, but European countries are still amongst UK’s closest and strongest trading partners.
Since the EU’s General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) came into effect on 13 December 2024, which replaced the current General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), this new regulation has introduced significant updates aimed at enhancing the safety of consumer goods sold both online and offline across Europe.
Scroll down to see the roles and details of who will speak for each entity.
More details
Made in Britain knows that Europe is of high interest to UK manufacturing companies, as indicated via Made in Britain’s 2023 exports survey.
Made in Britain recognises the value of businesses talking with their peers, and this session will facilitate that for UK exporters wanting to hear real, practical examples, direct from the exporters themselves. Whether it's an exporter venturing into Europe for the first time, or one with extensive experience in the market.
As ever, Made in Britain aims to leave plenty of time for Q&A, so attendees can ask the exporters, DBT, Made in Britain and other guests questions specific to their own interests.
The session will be opened by Made in Britain’s CEO, John Pearce, and facilitated by its Advisor, George Middleton. This is the latest in Made in Britain’s ongoing programme of export activity.
If there are any specific questions or discussion points that you would find helpful for the session to cover, or for more details, please email Made in Britain in advance via: trade@madeinbritain.org.
Who is this session designed for?
The session is open to any UK company with an interest in exporting to Europe, be it active and large, small scale, or still in the pipeline. As a Made in Britain session, it will however be particularly valuable for UK manufacturing companies.
Speakers
Cressida Granger, Managing Director
Mathmos Ltd
After graduating with a degree in History of Art, Cressida took temporary roles in the design and antique businesses before deciding to start out alone, dealing with 60s and 70s design. This led to the discovery of the original lava lamp factory at 25 and a long adventure with her business, Mathmos. There have been long periods of high growth, challenging times, lots of new products, marketing campaigns and shifts and changes in the company’s structure and routes to market. Along the way, Mathmos has picked up two Queens Awards for Export, two Virgin Atlantic fast track growth listings and a host of product and graphic design awards. Mathmos today continues to manufacture its premium lava lamps in Poole, Dorset, as they have since 1963. Mathmos is now a direct-to-consumer eCommerce seller with a growing turnover primarily in the EU.
Department for Business and Trade
Radka Pokorna, Senior Trade Adviser
Department for Business and Trade's International Markets Team
Radka is a Senior Trade Adviser and Communications Lead for the Department for Business and Trade's International Markets Team, at the British Embassy in Prague. The International Markets Europe Team supports export-ready SMEs, offering access to a range of sector reports, market intelligence, and guides related to exporting to over 30 markets.
Joshua Payne, Trade Advisor
Department for Business and Trade's International Markets Team
Joshua is a Trade Adviser for the Department for Business and Trade's International Markets Team, based at the British Embassy in Prague. The International Markets Europe Team supports export-ready SMEs, offering access to a wide range of sector reports, market intelligence, and guides related to exporting to over 30 markets.
Export Academy
Nigel Barker, Deputy Head, Design and Delivery
UK Export Academy
Nigel has been helping UK businesses become global brands since 2016 when he joined (what was then) DIT as a Digital Trade Adviser before joining UK Export Academy in 2023. A former systems architect, he has been fortunate to work in many countries and has been involved with the World Wide Web since its infancy. Nigel believes that technology has always had the power to break down barriers and bring people together and loves seeing businesses evolve, grow and do amazing things.
Faciliator
George Middleton, Advisor to Made in Britain and Director
MAP UK & International
George is an international trade and supply chains specialist. He has extensive professional experience in public, private and not-for-profit sectors, in the UK and internationally. He is the Director of MAP UK & International and an Advisor to Made in Britain. Current appointments also include long-term roles with a UK plc and an executive agency of the UK government. George lived and worked overseas between 2011 and 2018, for the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and then the Department for International Trade. Before that, he managed Community Relations and Regeneration programmes for the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority (2008-11) and Tribal Group plc [later Capita] (2005-08).
By Made in Britain 1 month ago | By Made in Britain