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Insights. Connections. Community.

The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade's MemberCon is returning on Thursday 13 March 2025. This is an essential opportunity for businesses and trade professionals to discover practical international trade insights. 

Whether you need to gain supply chain efficiencies, navigate regulations or increase your international sales, attending MemberCon25 will be a hugely important date in your diary. 

Agenda

Enjoy a full day of industry panels, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities. Make new connections over the provided lunch, with refreshments throughout the day.

Speaker: Sophie Tothill, head of membership, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Speaker: Marco Forgione MCIEx, director general, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

This panel will feature regional leaders sharing insights on how international trade has driven growth and prosperity across all parts of the UK. The discussion will highlight success stories and explore opportunities for leveraging trade to benefit local economies.

Chaired by Paul Brooks MCIEx, head of UK nations and regions, Chartered Institute for Export & International Trade.

Speakers:

Victoria Boldison, founder, Bolst Global
Jennie Holdstock, manufacturing & international trade lead, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Mary Leung, principal lecturer, Leeds Beckett University

The case study session will provide practical insights into real-life business scenarios and give practical tips on how to navigate the new regulatory challenges that have emerged following Brexit. It will include a short Q&A to encourage further exploration and shared perspectives.

Chaired by Anna Doherty MCIEx, senior trade and customs specialist, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Speakers:

Danielle Ford, customs manager, PortWest
Sylwia Nowak MCIEx, global trade technology manager, Collins Aerospace


 

This session will focus on the importance of ensuring and maintaining sustainable supply chains, particularly given the rising importance of environmental regulations and policy.  

It will cover various supply chain issues, including labour standards, the introduction of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs) in both the UK and EU, the EU’s ‘Green Deal’ more generally, including its deforestation regulation, and the rising role of the US Carbon and Border Protection agency. Delegates will leave with actionable strategies for maintaining fair and sustainable trade practices, including strategies for mitigating the impact of carbon taxes and other sustainability-related levies.

Chaired by William Barns-Graham MCIEx, executive editor, Chartered Institute for Export & International Trade

Speaker: Kevin Shakespeare FCIEx, advisory services director, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Hosted by our world-leading experts in international trade, this session will introduce the Chartered Institute's new Customs Advisory Practice, designed to offer critical support and insight to the profession. The discussion will also focus on our new professional competencies, showcasing how these frameworks drive excellence and support career development in international trade.

Chaired by Kevin Shakespeare FCIEx, advisory services director, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Speakers:

Anna Doherty MCIEx, senior trade and customs specialist, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade
Daniela Turiccki MCIEx, academy director, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

This interactive session invites delegates to share their thoughts, insights, and feedback on tackling barriers to trade with the EU. Contributions from participants will directly shape our recommendations and inform discussions with key decision-makers, ensuring member perspectives drive meaningful change.

Speaker: Fergus McReynolds MCIEx, director of EU & international, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

This interactive session encourages delegates to share their priorities for developing new trade relationships. Contributions will directly influence our recommendations and guide discussions with key decision-makers, helping to shape high-level discussions on the markets which hold greatest opportunity.

Chaired by Grace Thompson, UK public affairs lead, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Speaker: Bradley Porter, head of FTA utilisation, North America and SE Asia, Department of Business and Trade.  

Through real-life business case studies, the session will provide practical insights and actionable takeaways to support businesses navigate complex rules of origin, understand tariff liabilities and learn how to prepare for tariff changes. A short Q&A will follow. 

Chaired by Garima Srivastava MCIEx, senior trade & customs specialist, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Speakers:

Rebecca Bermingham MCIEx, International trade and compliance manager, Triumph Group
Joseph Goldsworthy MCIEx Grad, academy trade and customs specialist, The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

This workshop will explore the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), including the new SPS rules that have been introduced because of it.

Delegates will gain practical insights into BTOM compliance and learn about opportunities to shape future BTOM implementation through ongoing DEFRA consultations. The workshop will also cover opportunities for trade facilitation under BTOM, including digital trade corridors with Kenya and the EU. 

Chaired by William Barns-Graham MCIEx, executive editor, Chartered Institute for Export & International Trade

Speaker: Ilona Kawka MCIEx, digital trade & customs specialist, Chartered Institute for Export & International Trade

The discussion will explore opportunities on the horizon for 2025, leaving delegates inspired and equipped with actionable insights to drive their own global trade ambitions.

Chaired by Chris Martin MCIEx, director of external affairs, Chartered Institute for Export & International Trade

Speaker:

Sean Ramsden MBE MCIEx, chief executive officer, Ramsden International

 

Speaker: Marco Forgione MCIEx, director general, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Confirmed speakers

William Barns Graham

William Barns-Graham MCIEx
executive editor
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Will Barns-Graham is the executive editor at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade and the organisation’s lead for editorial content.  

Since joining CIOE&IT in 2017, he has created the industry’s leading webinar programme, hosting several hundred sessions on all aspects of international trade. He has also been the lead writer and editor on the IOE&IT Daily Update news bulletin, lead editor on the CIOE&IT’s World Trade Matters journal and produced multiple CIOE&IT events. 

Will has also been the lead content contributor on several collaborative projects with governments and business organisations in the UK and overseas. This includes the Open to Export International Business Awards which he managed in 2018, which resulted in CIOE&IT being named a Small Business Champion by the World Trade Organization and the International Chamber of Commerce.  

He is a NCTJ-qualified journalist, having gained a distinction on the Press Association’s Level 3 Diploma. He has also gained an MA in Social Anthropology from SOAS and a BA in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Oxford. 

Victoria Boldison 2

Victoria is a multi-award-winning Chartered Marketer and has worked internationally for all of her career within start up, SME and large corporation environments marketing and selling food, drinks, supplements and medical devices around the world. 

Multilingual with an MA Hons from the University of Oxford (French, Spanish and Portuguese) ,an executive MBA from Leeds Business School and more recently with a Diploma in International Trade from the Institute of Export, Victoria now runs Bolst Global: an international trade consultancy and provider supporting businesses operating in global health and wellness food, drink and supplement sectors.

Her vision and passion with Bolst Global is to help as many ambitious and internationally oriented brands and manufacturers in this space to grow overseas. Both for existing exporters and those new to export, Victoria strives to provide clients with the practical tools, knowledge and connections to make global growth a reality.

Likewise for retailers and distributors around the world, Bolst Global also provides support on up-to- date health and wellness market trends, sourcing of innovative and sought-after brands/products and importation assistance.

Victoria is also a regular speaker, contributor and trainer at export related events, communities and workshops both in the UK and overseas for private and public governmental organisations.

In her free time and when not travelling around the world for business or leisure Victoria spends most of it either strength training, swinging heavy kettle bells in the gym or socialising with her friends and family.

Anna Doherty

Anna Doherty MCIEx
senior trade and customs specialist 
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade 

A qualified and accredited customs professional, Anna is a leading international trade and customs specialist and commentator, having worked as a practitioner before joining the Chartered Institute in April 2023.  

She represents the Chartered Institute at industry and government forums, while advising public and private sector clients on trade compliance and customs facilitations. 

A regular speaker at UK and European events and at government working groups, Anna is industry chair of HMRC’s Joint Customs Consultative Committee, its forum for consulting with key trade stakeholders on customs procedures and regulations.  

With expertise in interpreting UK and EU regulations and their impact on business, Anna’s current focus is on the UK’s Border Target Operating Model, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as well as EU customs reform. 

Before joining the Chartered Institute, Anna was customs lead at a major UK manufacturing retailer, developing its customs compliance policy and processes for post-Brexit trading.   

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Marco Forgione MCIEx
director general
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

As director general of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade since January 2020, Marco Forgione MCIEx has become a leading authority and commentator on global trade, empowering businesses to grow internationally through educational programmes and digital trade solutions.

He is a key intermediator between governments and businesses domestically and overseas, sitting on the Critical Imports Council in the UK and on the international B20 Taskforce for Trade and Investment. He is a visiting professor at Aston University and regularly comments on trade and supply chain matters in the international media, including the BBC, Sky News, CNN, Al Jazeera and Bloomberg, among others.

Under his leadership, the Chartered Institute has grown from a team of 12 to now over 170 trade and customs experts, seeing membership grow from 2,000 to 7,000, culminating in the Institute of Export & International Trade being awarded a Royal Charter in 2024.

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Fergus McReynolds MCIEx 
director of EU & international
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Leading engagement and liaising with international stakeholders, including the European institutions on a wide range of European, Trade and International policies,  Fergus promotes the benefits of open and fair trade.  

Fergus has worked in Brussels for over a decade and has extensive knowledge of the industrial sector and the importance of international trade. 

Fergus has a master’s in chemistry from the University of Warwick and previously represented Make UK championing manufacturers for over 10 years in Europe and Internationally. Before this Fergus worked in the food industry providing guidance and analysis for dairy companies on environment, sustainability and climate change. Fergus has sat on various government and industry advisory panels in the UK and abroad and spent time on secondment in the UK Government. 

kevin_1

Kevin Shakespeare FCIEx
advisory services director
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

An advocate for international trade for more than 40 years, Kevin is highly respected within the international trade community. He has facilitated cross-border trade for thousands of UK businesses and been pivotal in designing and delivering new documentation and processes pre- and post-Brexit. 

He is currently leading the IOE&IT’s trade digitalisation work, with a focus on the UK Single Trade Window and Ecosystem of Trust. 

Formerly the IOE&IT’s director of stakeholder engagement and then Academy Director, Kevin was involved in developing the Diploma in World Customs Planning and Compliance, a Foundation Degree in International Trade and the Northern Ireland Customs and Trade Academy (NICTA). 

Kevin has led many trade initiatives in the UK and internationally, including work with UN Agencies,  Invest NI, Scottish Enterprise, UK Export Finance and Saudi Export Development Authority. 

He is a United Nations-approved trainer and author of a best-selling book, Trade for Good. 

Grace

Grace Thompson
UK public affairs lead
Chartered Institute for Export & International Trade

Grace began her career working in Parliament as a policy researcher for MPs. She went on to work for Edelman Global Advisory in its London-based public affairs team, supporting a range of clients including those in the food and drink and technology sectors. As UK Public Affairs Lead for the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, Grace works with both members, and colleagues across the Chartered Institute, to identify barriers to trade and put forward policy solutions. Grace is also secretariat for the UK’s first E-Commerce Trade Commission, convened by the Chartered Institute, that has been created to encourage and support businesses to trade and export online. She is passionate about advocating to policymakers regarding measures which help businesses trade more efficiently, competitively and sustainably. 

Daniela

Daniela Turiccki MCIEx
academy director
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Daniela Turiccki has worked in imports and exports for the past twelve years. She originally began her journey in the metal industry working with minor metals, importing and exporting globally. Importing raw material from China, Canada, USA and Peru, which was then manufactured into finished goods that were then exported worldwide. She has worked with agents and companies in EMEA, Asia, Australia, South America, USA and Canada. She has extensive knowledge of customs documentation, letters of credit, liaising with third party providers and managing key accounts for Blue Chip companies. She also has handled dangerous goods and shipped these via road, sea and air.  

Daniela moved into the aerospace industry where she has in-depth knowledge of export licensing controls including ITAR/EAR, working on contracts with the US Government, UK Government and various military and civil customers worldwide . She has provided contractual support to businesses, reviewing tenders, prime contract proposals and RFQ’s, identifying contractual risk and associated mitigation, non-disclosure agreements, TAA and Memorandum of Understanding. She has also supported in the preparation of UK and EU grants, working alongside HMRC and other government bodies. 

Rebbecca Bermingham

Paul Brooks

Paul Brooks MCIEx
head of UK nations & regions
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Paul joined the Chartered Institute in May 2022 to build its profile and brand in Wales. 

He sits on Welsh Government’s Trade Policy Advisor Group (TPAG) and is a member of the Wales Business Council.  

From June 2023 Paul’s brief has widened to include the other devolved nations of the UK and regions wit England. Paul now leads colleagues who build the profile and brand of the Chartered Institute across the United Kingdom and within the UK Manufacturing sector. 

Since November 2023, Paul is also Chair of the E-Commerce Trade Commission’s (ECT-C) Financial Services Working Group. The Chartered Institute have convened the UK’s first ever ECT-C. This was launched in June 2023 and will work on solutions to encourage small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to trade internationally online. 

Prior to the Chartered Institute, Paul spent over 30 years in the Corporate & Commercial Banking world supporting businesses to trade internationally with a particular focus on the manufacturing sector. In his last banking role, he led Santander’s UK Manufacturing Sector team. 

Joseph Goldsworthy

Joseph Goldsworthy is a customs and trade specialist, with over 10 years’ experience in international trade, currently hosting training courses, customs and SPS consultancy through the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.

Joseph has broad international trade experience, having worked within several roles in the food & drinks sector, also acting as a customs agent and delivering training and consultancy prior to joining the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.

Specialist areas include SPS Goods, Excise and Rules of Origin.

Specialist interests include CDS, BTOM and Tariff Classification.

Ilona Kawka

Ilona Kawka MCIEx
digital trade and customs specialist
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Ilona is an expert in international trade compliance with over eight years of experience, specialising in import operations. As the lead for the Imports Advisory Practice, she excels in managing complex import processes, conducting customs and broker invoice audits, and developing policies that streamline cross-border trade while ensuring strict adherence to global regulations. Her expertise spans customs requirements in the MENAT and EMEA regions, where she has successfully mitigated risks and optimised compliance strategies for various organisations. 

Ilona has an in-depth understanding of international customs regulations, staying ahead of legislative changes to proactively address challenges and assess their impact on business operations. Her strong focus on import compliance and her analytical approach to auditing have been pivotal in achieving seamless and compliant import operations across multiple markets. 

Currently, as a digital trade and customs specialist within Academy Strategic Projects, Ilona leads key initiatives around cross-border movements and the UK 2025 Border Strategy. She spearheads projects that leverage disruptive technologies to optimise import processes and enhance global trade facilitation. Her expertise aims to ensure that businesses remain competitive and compliant in the rapidly evolving landscape of international trade and drive innovation and efficiency in cross-border operations. 

Chris Martin

Chris Martin MCIEx
director of external affairs
Chartered Institute for Export & International Trade

Chris Martin joined the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade as director of external affairs in January 2023, bringing two decades of experience in corporate communications and public affairs. He leads a department responsible for corporate reputation, government relations and public affairs, policy and international engagement, and our offices in Brussels and Kenya.

Prior to joining the Chartered Institute, Chris worked in communications consultancy for global agencies including Ketchum, Hume Brophy and Bell Pottinger, advising clients ranging from multinational corporations and FTSE 100 companies to trade associations and NGOs. 

Sylwia Nowak

Sylwia Nowak is a dedicated Customs and Global Trade Compliance professional and the author of several industry related publications, available on her website: www.digitaltrade.org.uk. She holds a Master of Science in International Trade, Strategy, and Operations, a Bachelor's degree in Human Geography, and Diploma in World Customs Compliance & Regulations. Currently working as Global Trade Technology Manager at Collins Aerospace, Sylwia advocates for a progressive vision of adapting for smarter borders and trade.

Sean Ramsden

Sean Ramsden MBE MCIEx
chief executive officer
Ramsden International

Sean is Founder and CEO of Ramsden International, the UK’s leading international wholesaler of British groceries, supplying products from more than 400 UK manufacturers to retailers in more than 130 markets worldwide. In the 30 years since he founded Ramsden International, he had travelled to more than 80 markets to sell the best of British food and drink, and led the business to collect three Queens Awards for Enterprise in International Trade, and more then 90 other awards and accolades. A graduate of Cambridge University and Harvard Business School, he also sits as a non-executive director of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the Food and Drink Exporters Association (FDEA), as well as a number of other commercial, non-profit and academic boards. He was previously a member of the Government’s Strategic Trade Advisory Group (STAG) and is a regular commentator in the media and conferences on trading internationally, with a particular emphasis on SME exports. Sean had been crowned “International Director of the Year” by the Institute of Directors, and in 2019 was awarded an MBE for services to international trade. 

Garima Srivastava

Garima Srivastava MCIEx 
senior trade & customs specialist
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Garima, an international trade and customs lawyer works as a Senior Trade & Customs Specialist at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.

With an undergraduate law degree from National Law University, Raipur, India, she began her career at Lakshmikumaran & Attorneys, a leading law firm in India, where she focused on customs compliance, classification, valuation, rules of origin, foreign trade policy, special customs procedures, and export licensing.

After gaining valuable experience in India, she pursued a master's degree in law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School in the United States. Following her studies, Garima joined Ernst & Young’s Global Trade Advisory team in New York, where she continued to focus on customs compliance projects and customs health checks.

At the Academy, Garima delivers trainings on tariff classifications and practical workshops on customs valuation, classification and rules of origin besides being a key member of the customs advisory division

Garima has extensive experience advising clients across a diverse range of industries, including the life sciences, electronics, automotive, and food and beverage sectors.

Sophie Tothill Geotag3

Sophie Tothill
head of membership
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Sophie has built a successful career within international professional membership bodies and senior roles in the public sector. With experience at ICAEW and CIPD, she has a proven ability to drive membership growth and engagement through strong value propositions and strategic relationships. A former HR professional and Police Officer, Sophie is a passionate advocate for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) and is committed to advancing organisational success through strategic leadership and collaboration.

See you at MemberCon25 for:

Trends - We'll tackle the big trade issues impacting your business

Expertise - Listen to engaging panels hosted by industry trade leaders

Networking - Meet over a hundred and fifty professionals in person

Are you a Chartered Institute member? Enjoy discounted tickets.

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Meet with the Chartered Institute members and other fellow international trade professionals

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Connect with global trade thought leaders and decision-makers

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Gain practical expertise on regulation compliance and supply chain efficiencies

Equipping you with the knowledge, expertise and tools to trade effectively across borders.

When

Date: Thursday 13 March 2025

Time: 8:30 am GMT – 5.00 pm GMT

Location: Aspire Leeds, 2 Infirmary Street Leeds LS1 2JP

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Pricing

Members

  • £75 + VAT

Non-members

  • £175 + VAT
Doubletree By Hilton Leeds City Centre

Need accommodation?

Book here to enjoy the discounted rate at £132.00 (Single) / £146.00 (Double) for your booking on Wednesday 12 March at the DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre.

Alternatively you can contact the Reservations Team on 0113 241 1005 (Office Hours Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00) or LBACC.reservations@hilton.com and quote the following code GINSA before 12 February.

The Rates are inclusive of Breakfast & VAT.

For sponsorship enquires please contact James Clowes at partnership@export.org.uk

Enquire now

Fringe Sponsor

EORI (UK)

Exhibitors

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Testimonials

People should definitely come along to MemberCon. It’s a great opportunity for networking and to learn from everyone’s experiences.

Katie Birrell, Head of International Sales, Nairn's Oatcakes

 

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