On 2 November 2017 the Institute of Export & International Trade partnered with Swiss Business Hub UK & Ireland to host a panel discussion on Swiss and UK approaches to ‘Best Practice in Export’.
Taking place at the Embassy of Switzerland in London, Lesley chaired the distinguished panel of 6 high performing exporting SMEs – 3 each from the UK and Switzerland. The panel shared their experiences in international trade and took questions from the audience ranging from the challenges of Brexit to the advantages of doing business in each country.
6 fascinating exporters
We were honoured that HE Ambassador Alexandre Fasel was in attendance to make the opening remarks and to host the fabulous networking reception afterwards, which included fine Swiss wines and delicious canapés.
In the panel discussion itself, Ramsden International, Brompton Bicycles and Bremont Watch Company represented the UK. They exchanged thoughts and experiences with the Swiss companies Regloplas AG, Arktis Radiation Detectors, and Panolin Holding AG.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening discussion and it became clear that, despite Brexit being a significant challenge for the UK’s exporters, there are definite similarities in the challenges of exporting faced by businesses in both countries. It was also clear that there is plenty we can learn from our Swiss exporting counterparts.
Institute director general, Lesley Batchelor OBE, remarked:
“It was a fascinating collection of companies. The Swiss showed their commitment to reinvestment and innovation while the Brits showed their more creative and perhaps less conventional approaches to export.”
Export Action Plan Competition winner announced
At the end of the panel discussion, Lesley was delighted to announce that The Great British Baby Company had won the Open to Export Action Plan Competition following a showcase final at the Embassy during the afternoon.
They won the £3000 cash prize sponsored by Bibby Financial Services, as well as ecommerce support from Thrive Digital, market research support from the British Library Business & IP Centre, and two free training courses with us at the Institute. All the finalists also won free business membership with the Institute.
You can read more about the final here.
