Exeter business wins Export Boost through Heathrow
Heathrow and the Department for International Trade’s ‘Exporting is GREAT’ Campaign have awarded Exeter-based business ‘Appen’ one of 20 UK funding and support packages to encourage them to export their goods or services to new international markets.
Through the ‘World of Opportunity Programme’ Heathrow will provide £40,000 for SME trade missions or research into global markets of their choice. Appen will also have access to the personalised advice of an International Trade Advisor from the Department of International Trade, and a Plaza Premium lounge pass to begin their trip in style as they depart from Heathrow.
The winners of the World Opportunity are announced as a new YouGov survey revealed today that 50% of British SMEs which currently export want to increase their export destinations in the next two years until 2019; when Article 50 negotiations are due to complete. A further 41% of current exporters want to continue exporting as they are in this timeframe.
Appen Vice President of Language Resources in the UK Sarah Lowe said: “We are thrilled to hear that Appen has been chosen for a Heathrow World of Opportunity grant. This financial support will act as an accelerator to help us fast track the exporting of our secure data capture and transcription services into new overseas markets.
“We plan to use this grant to facilitate the organisation of a trade mission trip to Geneva and Copenhagen organised by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in conjunction with the British Embassies in Switzerland and Denmark. This new link and funding opportunity allows our team to continue to use Heathrow as a means to facilitate face to face meetings with current clients, as well as make focused export travel plans to establish new relationships with European organisations and thereby expand business into exciting new territories.”
The World of Opportunity programme was open from June 16- July 14 of this year. Over 290 applications were received and the winning entries were chosen by a panel of experts including Heathrow Chairman Lord Deighton, DIT’s International Trade Advisor Keith Moses and Daily Express Small Business Correspondent, Maisha Frost.
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “As the UK’s gateway to the world and its biggest port by value, Heathrow is essential in getting British goods and services to international markets. From beauty products to beets, snow sport instructors to architects, Heathrow and the Department of International Trade are boosting the growth of a unique mix of British goods and services.
“With the World of Opportunity programme, we are showing the world the breadth of talent and opportunity from all across the nations and regions of the UK. And demonstrating once again, that Britain’s gateway is open for business.”
International Trade Minister Mark Garnier said: “The UK has some of the most innovative and ambitious small businesses that have helped exports increase by 11.4% over the last year. It’s clear the potential to export our goods and services is out there and as an international economic department, we will support businesses through partner schemes like this with Heathrow and our international campaigns including Exporting is GREAT to make the most of opportunities as we leave the EU.”
The ‘World of Opportunity Programme’ is part of a plan to guarantee British businesses benefit from the economic opportunities provided by Heathrow, the UK’s only hub airport. In addition to this Programme, for the past 20 years Heathrow has run a successful series of Business Summits, giving SMEs the opportunity to engage directly with members of the airport’s supply chain and find out more about the opportunities that exist at the airport and around the world. So far, an estimated £93.4 million of new deals have been won as a result of the partnerships formed at the Summits and 2017 marks the first year where Heathrow’s Business Summits have been rolled out across six UK regions.
