How to become an export champion
Pictured above: Focus SB Managing Director Gary Stevens (left) and Duncan Ray, Head of Strategic Partnerships (right)
By Focus SB Managing Director Gary Stevens
In 2020 I accepted an invitation from the Department for International Trade (DIT), now the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), to become an Export Champion for the Southeast UK.
The Export Champion community is made up of over 400 individuals from businesses who help the DBT to reach out to business owners by sharing their exporting expertise with new and inexperienced exporters and promoting the benefits of exporting. It is a great honour to be part of this community.
So, how did we achieve this honour?
Build a global strategy
Focus SB exports to more than 30 countries and regions.
Focus SB became the first and only British (and European) premium electrical wiring accessories manufacturer licensed to export and sell to mainland China's luxury hospitality and residential construction markets in 2017.
China was part of our longer-term strategy in 2016. We had the foresight to predict uncertainty and the threat of a potential future slowdown in the UK construction sector and put plans together prior to this event to mitigate any potential risk to future trading.
We now have seven showrooms and 10 sub distributors out there, and business has really taken off.
Use free and tailored business support from DBT
We would advise other companies who are considering embarking upon an export strategy to seek the help and advice from the DBT UK team as well as the DBT team in the territory/territories they are looking to venture into.
It is free of charge!
Develop an international network
The DBT has introduced us to clients in the creative industries in China and provided valuable financial support as well as market information and webinars on exporting and regular support via its social media channels.
In November 2019 we announced new partnership deals with our sub distributors in Xiamen and Hangzhou and launched two showrooms during China International Import Expo (CIIE) where we exhibited with Mylands, British luxury decorative coatings manufacturer.
The event led to Focus SB winning its first milestone order in China, the Pudong International Airport Satellite Hall.
We’ve also benefited from project introductions in Dubai, and grants for travel to networking events in China and the Middle East, with our Commercial Manager, Mark Thomas officially part of the DBT’s Trade Mission to The Big 5 in Dubai event in 2019, leading to major new project opportunities.
Be an ambassador
It’s a great honour for us to be part of the DBT programme and I intend to contribute as much as I can to share our positive export story and experiences trading with China.
I am more than happy to do my bit to encourage and support those businesses still exploring export opportunities working closely with our Head of Strategic Partnerships, Duncan Ray who, in August 2022, was pleased to host a tour of our head office and main factory on the outskirts of St Leonards on Sea and Hastings for the former DBT Deputy HM Trade Commissioner for China, Tom Duke, facilitated by Made in Britain of which Focus SB has been a member since 2016.
In November 2022 I accepted an invitation to become an Export Champion for 2022/2023 in recognition of the contribution Focus SB makes towards the South East’s economic growth, then again in April 2023 as Export Champion for Southern England 2023/24 at the same time as we proudly achieved a first ever King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
Since becoming an Export Champion I have been invited to attend several events including a Smarter Regulation Roundtable in Whitehall in February 2024 at the invitation of the former Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Minister for Investment and Regulatory Reform, Lord Dominic Johnson with other selected SMEs and fellow Export Champion Krysteline Technologies, helping to inform future government policy. Lord Johnson said: “It’s invaluable to hear directly from SMEs about how I can support companies to grow by breaking down barriers to doing business. Focus SB is a jewel in the South East’s crown, and I’m delighted that two of the Department for Business and Trade’s Export Champions had a seat at our roundtable.”
On 21st March this year I was pleased to attend an invite-only event organised by the Staffordshire Chambers’ of Commerce at Vale Park, hosted by British Chambers’ of Commerce Director General, Shevaun Haviland with speaker (the then Shadow) Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP.
Mr Reynolds announced some of the Labour Party’s ambitions for small businesses and invited the event attendees to question him on a range of topics, including energy, taxation, exporting and land value capture.
I was privileged to be invited on behalf of Focus SB to participate in the event to listen to Jonathan Reynolds and his views on business and SMEs and how a Labour government may support us if they won the next general election. A number of questions were taken from the floor and answered eloquently. I was particularly encouraged by the response to the future of apprenticeships and their shared views of my own, related to the apprenticeship levy and taking some of the unused excess and distributing it fairly amongst SMEs rather than just disappearing into the Treasury’s coffers!
Export Champions 2024/25
In April of this year, myself and Focus SB’s Head of Strategic Partnerships, Duncan Ray were pleased to announce we’ve both accepted an invitation from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to join the Export Champions’ programme representing Southern England for 2024/25. We look forward to continuing to contribute to the programme and sharing our international trade and business partnership experiences with fellow members of the Export Champion community.
About DBT Export Champion’s programme
The DBT’s Export Champions’ programme was launched in 2019 and highlights inspirational exporters who are willing to share their stories and support other SMEs aspiring to trade overseas. Export Champions are invited to share tips and informal advice with other businesses, attend DBT export events, host VIP visits and contribute to the development of DBT strategies as well as participate in roundtable discussions with senior officials and government ministers.
Whether you’re looking to take the first steps on your export journey, or looking to expand your global business, head to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Events page to join the Export Academy free of charge and look out for International Trade Week.
Post updated August 2024
