The IOE is hosting an exclusive World Trade Summit 2016 entitled The Commonwealth & Beyond on October 12th, which includes a powerful line up of industry specialist and experts including keynote speaker Lord Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council - and former government Trade Envoy.     Focussing on the new and ever changing business environment, the Institute is seeking to bring the now vital skills agenda to the fore by engaging with business and government in shaping the future of international trade. Bringing together thought leadership from a powerful line-up organisations including UKEF, Barclays and AIG., the Summit at Gresham College will explore some of the opportunities that are available to British business in  ‘Where next?’ - and on the great things that are already happening

Lord Empey, OBE Vice President of the Institute will open the proceedings at 10.30am with an overview entitled: ‘So where are we now?’ The summit continues with a focus on new and emerging global markets. Gabriella Castro-Fontoura from boutique export consultancy Sunny Sky Solutions will share her insights on the Latin American market with “Latin America – it’s not just about Brazil” and David Cant, MD of Albion Overseas, and an expert on business consultancy supporting exporters who trade with Russia, will discuss ‘Russia: In from the cold’. UK trade with the EU in the post-referendum environment and its possible implications will be addressed by Arne Mielken MIEx (Grad), Senior Trade Specialist at global trade management software specialist, Amber Road, who asks, ‘Brexit means Brexit! But what does that really mean for exporters’? and  Panos Koutrakos, Professor of European Union Law, who will give us the view from the other side with ‘From a European point of view’, which will conclude the morning session. Some practical insights into how businesses can prepare themselves for entry into new markets will be shared in the afternoon session by Isabel Oswell, Head of Business & Research Audiences at The British Library with ‘Exploring Global Growth Opportunities at the British Library’ followed by Nicholas Niggli  Head of the Economic, Finance, Science and Innovation Section at the Embassy of Switzerland in the UK – and former Coordinator and Vice-Chairman of the Task Force which organised the 2009 and 2011 WTO Ministerial Conferences - who will give us a perspective on trading with Switzerland.   Following an interactive panel debate exploring the impact of recent events on financial services, keynote speaker Lord Marland, will share his unique insight on ‘A New World of Opportunity’. Drawing on his wealth of experience as one of the founding directors of the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc and his time in government. Prior to being the Trade Envoy to David Cameron between 2013-2104, he was made a Minister for Intellectual property in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in 2012, appointed Chairman of the British Business Ambassadors by UK Trade & Investment in 2011 and became a Minister at the Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2010 - serving on Her Majesty's Government frontbench. The final expert opinion comes from William Hobbs, Head of Investment Strategy UK and Europe with Barclays and a Fellow of the Securities Institute, who will share the view from the financial sector with ‘Modelling a Brave New World’. IOE Director General, Lesley Batchelor OBE and Louis Taylor, Chief Executive of UK Export Finance, will give closing remarks before the Summit continues with a drinks reception and networking event from 5pm.     Said Lesley Batchelor: “This is a new and interesting time for businesses working in international trade and our World Trade Summit promises a packed agenda with something of interest for all attendees by providing informed debate that will ensure that exporters’ voices - large or small - are heard.” “We have brought together a line-up of high-calibre speakers and we relish the opportunity of welcoming our members and the wider business community who are working in international trade to this showcase forum.”   IOE members are also invited to join a members’ session from 8:00am onwards to enjoy a coffee, croissant and catch up with fellow members until the main event starts at 10:30am.   Book here http://www.export.org.uk/shop/events/wts2016 to attend the event which is free of charge for members, or call us on 01733 404400.