Newcastle University Business School is joining forces with UK Trade & Investment and RTC North to invite SMEs in the region to attend the first annual Herbert Loebl Export Workshop.
Aimed at helping local businesses understand their export capabilities, the morning workshop will outline the opportunities and government support available both at home and abroad for regional businesses that are looking to expand their business through export.
Building for Export Success takes place on March 9 at Newcastle University Business School.
Guest speakers will present case studies, lectures and interactive sessions which will provide participants with an understanding of export demands and equip them with the information needed to develop their own export plan which is specific to their business needs.
Although export figures from the North East of England are in excess of £10 billion it is estimated that 85 per cent of this volume has been achieved by only five per cent of companies who have ventured into the global marketplace. The workshop will provide attendees with practical learning of how they can achieve export growth.
This annual event is supported by one of the University’s most successful alumni in the North East, Dr Herbert Loebl, co-founder of electronic and scientific instrument manufacturer, Joyce Loebl and Co Ltd and its four sister companies – Gateshead’s Loebl Ltd, Sevcon Ltd based in the Team Valley, Newcastle-based Applied Imaging Ltd and Sunderland’s Phasor Ltd.
Commenting on his donation to the University, Dr Herbert Loebl said: “I wanted to work with Newcastle University Business School to offer SMEs in the North East a chance to learn the lessons I wish somebody had taught me when I was starting up my businesses – and an export workshop seemed the perfect answer.
“Growing our two-man business from a small office underneath a Newcastle railway arch where we had just £200 of capital, to a corporation with over 400 employees is an achievement I am very proud of. However, it has also been challenging at times and a lot of lessons have been learnt along the way. I want businesses in the region to know what opportunities are available to them and to continue to show that businesses in the North East are a force to be reckoned with on an international scale.”
The workshop programme will be as follows:
8.45am: Registration
9.00am: Welcome speech by Professor Ian Clarke, Director of Newcastle University
9.10am: Keynote speech by Rod Taylor, Founder and Chairman of Seaward Group
9.30am: Export Experience: Success stories from:
· Geoff Turnbull, Chairman, GT Group
· Andrew Esson, Managing Director, ContiTech Beattie Limited
· Mike Bolam, CEO, Skillogy International Ltd
10.15am: Coffee break
10.45am: Practical support from:
· RTC, UKTI, Ward Hadaway and RMT
11.45am: Panel discussion chaired by Gordon Ollivere founder and CEO of RTC North
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Close
Professor Ian Clarke, Director of Newcastle University Business School added: “This event is a great opportunity for local businesses to benefit from the expertise and experience of some of our region’s most recognised organisations.
“Adding an export arm to any business can be a daunting prospect but Dr Loebl’s generous donation, combined with the help and support of our guest speakers, will ensure workshop attendees are equipped to take on the challenge and further establish the region on a global level.”
David Coppock, UK Trade & Investment’s International Trade Director, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this event as part of our ongoing commitment to helping North East Companies succeed overseas.”
The event will be held at Newcastle University Business School, Citywall, Citygate, St James Boulevard, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4JH. The workshop is free to attend and includes lunch and refreshments. Advanced registration is essential. For more information, or to register, please visit: www.ncl.ac.uk/nubs/about/events/item/building-for-export-success <http://www.ncl.ac.uk/nubs/about/events/item/building-for-export-success>
