Do you have big dreams of taking your business overseas, but have no idea where to start? Is your business looking to set up a base in Greater Lincolnshire? There are local support services available to help you.
Our exporting support helps businesses like yours to successfully start trading in new marketplaces around the world and find ideal locations where your products and services are in-demand. If you’re ready to increase your revenue and make a name for your business across the globe, read on to find out more about how we can support you in your exporting journey.
Department for International Trade Local Advice
Heather Martin is our local International Trade Adviser working for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Heather's role is to showcase and help businesses like yours to explore and access support to help you on your exporting journey and is the gateway to the many other support service that DBT deliver nationally. More details of these can be found here. If you are interested in accessing any of the DBT services, as a starting point contact Heather on 07557 566052 or via email at Heather.Martin@trade.gov.uk.
Empowering SMEs in International Trade
Trusted partners The Global Trade Department (formerly The Export Department) deliver a range of support services for exporters and importers. These include the successful and valuable 'Empowering SMEs in Intentional Trade' programme which has been funded by Greater Lincolnshire LEP, D2N2 LEP and Leicester and Leicestershire LEP exclusively for East Midlands based businesses. Click here for more information, but at a high level the scheme includes:
- International Trade Clinics (2 hours dedicated support to both importers and exporters)
- International Trade Intensive Support (6 hours of dedicated support to both importers and exporters)
- Export Manager Programme (30 hours of dedicated support)
- International Trader Peer Support Programme (12 hours of group support
This programme is FULLY FUNDED and free to access for eligible Lincolnshire businesses.
You can reach The Global Trade Department via email at acollins@exportdept.co.uk
Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce
Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce hosts an International Trade Hub which continues to provide an excellent service to Chamber members interested in or already exporting and specialise in helping them to navigate the international trade documentation which is required for exporting.
The Lincolnshire Chamber plays a unique role in supporting and boosting Lincolnshire’s trade activity, offering help and advice, as well as providing export documentation services, whilst also having the resources to connect with organisations all around the world, plus other Chambers of Commerce within the UK and internationally. The Chamber are are also an accredited training provider and deliver a number of courses, from 2 hour webinars to 4 day qualification programmes to support businesses with topics such as Export documentation, Letters of Credit, Importing Essentials, Customs Declarations, Proving Origin, Incoterms and ITOPS qualifications.
You can contact Eve Farley, the Chamber's International Trade Coach, on 01522 523333 or eve.farley@lincs-chamber.co.uk Georgia Stokes, International Trade Manager on 01522 846926 or international@lincs-chamber.co.uk
More helpful information about Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce's International Trade Support be found on the below links:
For useful guides on where to start your internationalisation journey, click here.
For information about ChamberCustoms, click here.
To find out about their export documentation service, click here.
To speak to one of their International Hub experts, click here.
For frequently asked questions around International Trade and Brexit, click here.
China Britain Business Council (CBBC)
CBBC’s team of advisers in the UK and China have in-depth experience, knowledge and an established track record of guiding British companies considering taking their first steps doing business in China. If you are interested in accessing any of the CBBC services, as a starting point contact Lincolnshire's local Adviser, David Gregory on 07415 985383 or via email at David.Gregory@cbbc.org.
Team Lincolnshire
Greater Lincolnshire is a brilliant place to get growing. Whether you’re an established business in the region or looking to move or invest here, Team Lincolnshire will open the door to a wide range of invaluable help, advice and support. The team can help highlight some high potential opportunities, identify sites and premises and provide a dedicated account manager to support your investment journey.
Professional Services
Looking for support in your internationalisation journey but unsure who to reach out to? Download our Professional Services PDF to find exactly who you should be speaking to and what support they can offer your business to expand into overseas markets.
Freight Forwarders
A freight forwarder is a logistics organisation, specialising in the arrangement of cargo on behalf of shippers. They provide a variety of supply chain services, including ocean or air freight transportation, cargo insurance and customs compliance, inland transportation from origin and/or to destination, and warehousing and storage service. Download the PDF to find freight forwarders based locally.
