Boosting export goals: l-r, Victoria Eggs, Julian Hucker, Mark Pountain, Nick Rees, Lesley Batchelor and Chris Heyes.
Charles Farris Ltd, the Wiltshire Chandlery, which holds two royal warrants and has been making candles in England since 1845 – has carried off the top prize in an inaugural government-backed Open to Export Action Plan Competition.
The company – which has received £3, 000 funding and additional benefits to help accelerate its export goals – was among ten SMEs from wide ranging sectors shortlisted from over 400 businesses to have started using the Export Action Plan.
At a special event in London, Charles Farris MD, Mark Pountain, and sales director, Nick Rees, along with the fellow finalists, presented their Export Action Plans created using Open to Export’s innovative digital business planning tool to a panel of expert judges.
Open to Export has been set up by the government as a digital solution to boost the UK’s SME exports. The Export Action Plan is the latest addition to its online offering, which is dedicated to helping businesses prepare to sell overseas by giving them free access to online information, support and advice.
Using the tool allows businesses to take ownership of their export strategies, making decisions along each step of their international trade journey – from selecting a market to delivering products or services to new customers.
Mark Pountain said: “We are surprised, humbled and excited to win this prestigious prize, given the strengths of the other finalists – all of whom have so much to offer international markets – and we thank all the sponsors most warmly. The funding and support will enable us to develop our international website for export – we have ambitious plans this year for Germany and Poland. We look forward to maximising the profiling benefits emanating from this award, and to an ongoing and highly productive working relationship with Open to Export and the Institute of Export as we grow and diversify further.”
Said Open to Export chief executive, Lesley Batchelor OBE: “The entrepreneurial spirit, vision and energy of the finalists – who are passionate about harnessing the wealth of opportunities in international trade – was inspiring.’
“The judges faced a difficult decision as all the shortlisted companies were worthy winners – a big congratulations to them all and to Mark and the team at Charles Farris.”
Fellow finalists were: Two Little Boys – Chiswick, London, Funky Feet Music – Snarestone, Derbyshire, Intrepid Brewing – Hope Valley, Derbyshire, Lifeline24 – Norwich, Opal Health – Birmingham, Prison Voicemails – Norwich, Special iApps – Durham, Turtle Tots – Bristol and Dart Tool Group – Kirkcaldy.
Julian Hucker, Open to Export chairman and successful tech entrepreneur, presented the winning prize to Mark Pountain with £3000 cash funding, free entry to the International Festival of Business in 2016, and two free places on an Institute of Export public training course.
He said: “The competition has been a tremendous success and our commitment to help new exporters to broaden their horizons will include a quarterly competition, sponsored by International Festival for Business 2016. A panel of experts will judge the finalists based on the potential and feasibility of their export plans, awarding a cash sum of £3000, together with additional support from UKTI and other partners, to help the winning business implement their plans.”
Joining Julian Hucker and Lesley Batchelor on the judging panel were Chris Heyes Head of International at the International Festival for Business 2016 and Victoria Eggs – a small business owner whose exports have grown significantly since being a finalist in a previous Open to Export competition in 2013.
The competition was sponsored by the International Festival for Business 2016, HSBC and the Institute of Export – three organisations dedicated to contributing to the UK economy by doing their bit to help more new and inexperienced exporters to thrive internationally.
Each of the 10 shortlisted companies has won a year’s free small business membership with the Institute of Export and a year’s free membership with the Great British Store.
Companies interested in trying out the new Export Action plan can do so at www.opentoexport.com
SMEs can get free online information and advice from an impressive line-up of experts on anything to do with international growth and connect with the full range of organisations providing support for exporters. Thousands of companies use the service to connect, learn and talk about going global through forum, webinars, guides and useful contacts.
Open to Export is supported by founders, UK Trade & Investment, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Export and Yell. Since October 2014, it has been sponsored by principal partner, HSBC, as part of the bank’s ongoing drive to help businesses of all sizes achieve their growth ambitions.
Visit www.opentoexport.com for more information and to try out the new Export Action Plan service.
