International.
UK Trade
& Investment
Helping you to export your creative talent
The UK's creative industries comprise of a huge number and range of businesses,
delivering products and services to national and international clients. The UK creative
industries sector contributed £13bn to the balance of trade in 2004 - around
4.3% of all goods and services exported. With the East Midlands exporting £16
billion per annum, the UK's strong creative international reputation and 80% of
design-led businesses actively opening up new markets in the last three years*,
isn't it time you looked overseas?
There's a world of opportunity out there for your business. Whether you're new to
exporting or looking to expand, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government organisation
that helps UK based companies succeed in international markets. A wide range of
support is available to help businesses like yours succeed overseas.
UK Trade & Investment are your first port of call for international trade advice
and support. Trading internationally is a proven way to improve sales and boost
profits and the help available from UK Trade & Investment includes:
- Practical support in the identification and exploration of global opportunities
- An impartial view of your company's international trading potential
- Information and expertise about markets, cultures and competitors
- Assistance in prioritising opportunities
- Information about prospective buyers / partnerships
- Help in developing a strategy and action plan to reduce risks
- Assistance with marketing and communications
- Maximum return on your investment, by helping you to save time and money
- Access to financial support to help with travel, exhibitions, research, marketing
materials, translations and website development
UK Trade & Investment are here to help your venture into the world of export.
Testimonials
"Attending the Passport to Export workshops before the SURTEX trade show was
a great help, especially
brainstorming with other creative companies. The workshops reminded me of the strategies
I need to use when following up contacts from trade fairs. As a result, I secured
three new contracts for my work."
Marilyn Robertson, Artist
Case Study - Briggs Hillier Design
Briggs Hillier are specialists in creating retail environments, from Flagship stores
to concessions in department stores and have created and implemented retail concepts
for the Likes of Harrods, Gore-Tex, HP, Schuh and Boots.
After realising the potential of their offer to brands and retailers abroad, Briggs
Hillier decided to enrol on UK Trade & Investment's (UKTI) Passport to Export Programme.
The programme was recommended by UKTI Creative Industries specialist Christine Johnson,
as a solid starting point for making the leap into foreign markets and to help in
developing an export strategy.
With the help of the matched funding made available through the UKTI Passport support
programme, Briggs Hillier were able to make market visits to locations like Munich,
Barcelona and Dubai.
Mandeep Bhaur, Head of Business Development for Briggs Hillier said:
"It was not long after that we were asked to pitch for an exciting project in the
Middle East and the advice that was given to us through UKTI proved invaluable when
putting together our research. We won the project in July 2008 which meant that
we had beaten 3 other already internationally established design agencies in our
first attempt.
Once we had started working in the region we were provided support through UKTI
by the way of direct contact with Embassy Staff in the region and were able to meet
with them to discuss issues, like social and cultural awareness, laws and legislation
and most importantly what potential hazards could jeopardise the smooth running
of our project."
The company has since successfully delivered the first phase of their Middle East
design project and are now in the midst of project managing the fit-out of a flagship
store in Saudi Arabia (the first of many). Although daunting, they overcame their
fears about working in countries that are uniquely different from the UK and are
now proactively in discussions with potential new clients in the region. "We have
received continued support from the UKTI team in the UK and in Saudi Arabia, in
developing potential new client relationships" said Mandeep.
The company recently undertook an "Export Communications Review" one of the partner
services on offer from UKTI. The scheme involved a consultant evaluating marketing
materials, from website to business cards and producing an evaluation report highlighting
potential improvements to their marketing approach in the Middle East and they are
currently in the process of implementing these changes as we speak.
Briggs Hillier continue to work closely with UKTI to develop their overseas business.
"We found UKTI's contribution to the growth of our company invaluable and we whole
heartedly advise other companies to get in touch with UKTI to access the wealth
of help and support available" Said Mandeep.
To find out more about Briggs Hillier visit www.briggshillier.com.
For more information on UK Trade & Investment call 0845 052 4001 or visit www.emids.uktradeinvest.gov.uk.
How can I find out more?
East Midlands based companies can obtain sector specific advice through an international
trade creative industry sector specialist. UKTI's expert creative industry sector
adviser is dedicated to supporting the international trade needs of creative and
media related companies in the East Midlands.
For specialist advice and support call 0845 052 4001 or
email us by clicking here
Useful Links
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UK Trade & Investment
> East Midlands UK Trade
& Investment
* Source - Design Council's Value of Design Factfinder, May 2007