Export Support Roadshows to drive business growth in North Yorkshire

Businesses in North Yorkshire are set to benefit from a series of Export Support Roadshows, designed to drive growth across the region.

The roadshow will set out in October, visiting five locations across two weeks including Selby, Skipton, Northallerton, Harrogate and Scarborough.

Businesses attending will get practical advice from experts who will also provide routes for support beyond the event, including funding opportunities. The roadshows, which are free to attend, will also hear from local business owners who have already started their export journey with positive results.

Selby-based company Semperfli produces and exports specialist fly fishing equipment. The company has become a Northern Export Champion so will be heading to the first event in Selby to help other companies on the same journey.

Ann Kitchener, Semperfli’s CEO, is particularly keen on customer care as it grows business sales across the world: “Building open and positive relationships is key, understanding and respecting everyone’s position. Keeping in regular contact, creating a global team mindset, generates long term success. Just keeping talking.”

Selby Civic Centre will host the first event on October 8, followed by the Skipton Hotel in Skipton on October 10, the Golden Lion at Northallerton on October 15, Co[1]Lab in Harrogate on October 16 and finishing at Scarborough Rugby Club on October 17.

North Yorkshire Council, the Department for Business and Trade and the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub are working in partnership to deliver the programme. The partnership is working together to identify the regions’ future global exporters, who will drive growth for their businesses, which will in turn benefit North Yorkshire.

Interested businesses need to register as soon as possible on the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website, where there is further information about the running order of the day, to ensure their place.

David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “It is time to be confident, ambitious and champion our region’s businesses so we can reach our full potential. I know from my personal experience running my business, just how important our small and high street businesses are. They are the core of our economy and at the heart of each one of our communities.

“They need our support, so I am pleased that the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub, the Department for Business and Trade and North Yorkshire Council are all working together to deliver the Export Support Roadshows.”

The project is funded by North Yorkshire Council through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, so only businesses in the council’s area can attend.

Councillor Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, and chair of the Shared Prosperity Fund Local Partnership Group, said: “These Export Support Roadshows are a fantastic opportunity for businesses across North Yorkshire to find out more about how to engage with markets in other countries.

“We have so many great businesses in the county which play an important part in their communities and the wider region and exporting could give them the chance to share their products with the world and put North Yorkshire on the map.

“I encourage any businesses which are curious about expanding into this are to sign up and attend one of the roadshows to access the expert advice on offer.”