Help for female business leaders who want to export

The week-long events run by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), which start on Monday, will look to offer expert insight into global trading opportunities.

Mark Robson, regional director for UKTI Yorkshire, said: “Export Week is an ideal opportunity for companies to find out more about international trade opportunities, as well as the support that is available to help them fulfil their exporting ambitions.”

One of the key focuses will be the role of women in global trading. On November 13, a half-day conference will be held at the Science Park in York.

Aimed at female business leaders who wish to take their business to the world, the conference is designed to help both newcomers and experienced exporters who wish to take the next step in international trade.

Organised by the Forward Ladies business network, the conference will feature food guru and author Pinky Lilani and Carolyn Pearson, founder of Maiden-Voyage, a free social network for female business travellers.

Griselda Togobo, managing director of Forward Ladies, said: “Currently, we understand that the rate of women who are starting businesses is increasing.”

She told The Yorkshire Post that getting more female business leaders to export would “have a significant impact on the economy”.

Ms Togobo said: “We really want to understand the barriers preventing those who aren’t exporting from doing so.

“Women are keen to export but it depends on the industry they’re involved in.”

She also said that many women didn’t know the services they had available to them and that issues of travel and security as well as other technical aspects such as VAT and exchange rates may be putting them off.

Another event taking place as part of Export Week will take a look at how foreign business leaders now residing in Yorkshire capitalise on their community and family connections outside the UK to forge international links. The event will take place at the Midland Hotel in Bradford.

Export week will conclude with an event in Leeds focusing on e-exporting and the retail sector with a speaker from Mamas & Papas.