SPEAKER BIOS | IN SPEAKING ORDER

Anthony Hilton Journalist & Broadcaster Independent

The Author, Broadcaster, Journalist and Lecturer joined Fleet Street in 1968 as a Trainee on the Guardian. He was City Editor of the Times, 1981 to 1983 and City Editor of the Evening Standard from 1984 to 1989 and in November 1989 became Managing Director of the Evening Standard, a post he held for six years before returning to the City Office as Editor in 1996. He is now Financial Editor. Anthony was awarded Business Journalist of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Financial Journalism at the Association of British Insurers Financial Media Awards 2014. Anthony has worked for the Observer, the Daily Mail and the Sunday Express. He was Editor of Accountancy Age for five years and has served in New York, where for three years he was Business Correspondent for the London Sunday Times. He returned to Britain in 1981 to become City Editor of the Times. Anthony was seen regularly on television, filling the commentator’s slot on Channel 4’s ‘TV Business programme’, and appearing as the expert panellist on ‘The Stocks and Shares Show’. He is also heard frequently on radio. In addition, he has written two acclaimed books; ‘How to communicate financial information to employees’ and ‘City within a state – A study of how the city of London really works.’ Anthony has an MA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Aberdeen, he was a visiting professor in economics at London Metropolitan University in 2010-2012 and received an honorary degree from Aberdeen University in 2011 in recognition of his articles from 2005 – 2007 predicting the financial crash. Anthony lives in Suffolk, and has four children. He is a former parachutist but now less strenuously cruises on England’s canals. Professor George Feiger Executive Dean Aston Business School

From June 2013 George has been the Executive Dean of Aston Business School, returning to the academic world, in which he began his professional career. From 2003 to May 2013 George was the founder and CEO of Contango Capital Advisors, a wealth management firm in San Francisco. George has also been a Director of McKinsey & Co, working in the US and the UK, the Global Head of Investment Banking for SBC Warburg, the Global Head of Onshore Private Banking for Swiss Bank Corporation and then for UBS and a member of the Group Management Boards of both Swiss Bank Corporation and UBS. George has also been involved in a variety of venture capital activities. He has been a frequent commentator on economic and financial topics in a variety of media. George was a Lecturer in Economics at Harvard and then Assistant and Associate Professor of Finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in the 1970s. George holds a B.Econ (Hons) from Monash University and a Ph.D in Economics from Harvard University. He was also a Junior Fellow in the Society of Fellows at Harvard.

Lesley Batchelor Director General Institute of Export & International Trade

Lesley Batchelor is a champion of UK exporters, with a powerful track record in enhancing the performance of hundreds of businesses.

Appointed director general of the Institute of Export (IOE), an education foundation providing qualifications and support for business, in 2010 after a three-year elected tenure as chairman and CEO, Also CEO of Open to Export a collaborative CIC with FSB, UKTI, HSBC & the IOE a digital platform for new and inexperienced exporters. Lesley is active on the APPG Advisory Panel on Trade & Investment, the APP Manufacturing Group and has given evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Government support for SMEs.

Lesley has forged influential partnerships with international associations. She brought together 20 organisations to create GURU online, an international award-winning business resource available to all exporters.

Lesley is a graduate of the Institute of Export qualifications and the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She has invaluable expertise in intellectual property, global licensing and marketing.

After 15 years working with blue-chip giants including Fujitsu Europe, Canon, Ciba-Geigy and Coca-Cola, Lesley set up CMC Marketing in 1992 to develop inspirational overseas strategies and international training programmes for SMEs. Mark Runiewicz Chief Executive Officer Trade & Export Finance Limited (TAEFL)

Mark Runiewicz is CEO at Trade and Export Finance Limited (TAEFL), a company supporting companies to finance their order books, acting as mentors, advocates and coaches in companies banking relationships. He has arranged finance for global exports totalling £65m in the past 12 months. Prior to becoming CEO at TAEFL, Mark was a banker, beginning his career with Midland Bank, moving to the International Division and running the international branch in the Midlands. In 1980 Mark joined TSB prior to the merger with Lloyds Bank and established their corporate international centre covering England and wales, a similar role followed with Hill Samuel. Following this, he moved into consultancy and was an external consultant to Asian Development Bank (part of the World Bank) working in projects in Pakistan, including restructuring the Countries Export Promotion Bureau. Mark is also the author of the international Trade Survey, published in June 2015 and has conducted similar surveys since 1996. Moreover, he has written books on international trade, lectured on financing exports in Europe and North America and has been an expert witness in the High Court.

Gabriel Buck Commissioner; Chair; Managing Director, Head of ECA & Capex Financing Solutions Group Cole Review; Export Finance & Trade Committee, British Bankers Association (BBA), Barclays

Gabriel Buck - Global Head of the CAPEX Financing Solutions (CFS) team and responsible for the structuring and execution financing of major CAPEX projects around the world. Gabriel has over 35 years of banking experience of which 25 years has been spent specialising in structuring Trade and Export Finance which includes financing ECA transactions, having project managed over US$10bn of ECA transactions since 2000. Gabriel is the Chairman of the British Bankers’ Association’s Export Finance & Trade Committee. The BBA EF&TC Committee ensures close co-ordination between the banks, the ECA's and the various Governmental stakeholders. Additionally, he has recently been appointed as a Commissioner to the “Cole Review”, set up to assist UK Government to define strategy for making UK Exports more successful. Irene Graham Executive Director British Bankers Association (BBA)

At the BBA Irene leads the overall policy work across SME and corporate businesses, including key industrial sectors. This includes running Better Business Finance and strategic initiatives across products such as export finance and capital markets. Prior to joining the BBA Irene was a senior banker at Standard Chartered Bank, undertaking executive roles across its international footprint. This included heading its Corporate and Institutional business, and transaction bank in Europe, co-heading SCB’s European wholesale bank and leading international regulatory affairs. She sits on the board of the UK Business Angel Association. Zafar Khan Group Financial Controller Carillion

Mr Khan was Carillion Plc’s Finance Director for Middle East and North Africa from 2011 until 2014 and continues to support Carillion’s clients in the region by working with UK Export Finance. Carillion has over 20,000 employees in the region with operations in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Carillion has delivered a number of iconic projects, most notably in the UAE and Oman and has also established services businesses across the region. During his time in MENA, Carillion secured its first major project in Qatar and mobilised into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

James Pumphrey Head of Structured Trade & Export Finance UK Deutsche Bank

James is a Director in Deutsche Bank’s Structured Trade & Export Finance team and is responsible for managing the London team which is responsible for the arranging business supported by eight Export Credit Agencies including UK Export Finance. James joined Deutsche in 1999 having previously worked in the ECA team at Barclays Capital. James led the deal team working on the first UKEF direct lending facility involving co-financing following the re-engineering of the scheme announced by UKEF last year. James represents the bank on BExA’s Banking Committee. James has a BA (Hons) degree in Economics from the University of York. Tony Wonfor Head of Sales Financing, Western Europe Huawei Technologies (UK)

Tony is responsible for Sales Finance in the Western Europe Region for Huawei Techologies and has been with the company for 4 years and is based in London. Prior to this he was a banker for over 20 years with various institution including HSBC, Mizuho and BNP Paribas Fortis where he ran the Global Telecom, Media and Technology Finance Group. Huawei was founded in 1987 and is a leading Global Telecommunications Equipment and ICT solutions provider with business operations in over 170 countries generating revenues of approximately US$46.5bln in 2014. Huawei opened its first office in the UK in 2001 and is mainland China’s largest investor into the UK. The company has 15 offices across the UK and over 900 employees, planned to rise to 1,500 by 2017. Huawei will continue to expand its investment in the UK in the coming years, and is planning to invest £650 million and procure £650 million in services by 2017. In 2011, Huawei opened its UK R&D centre in Ipswich after acquiring CIP, the centre for integrated photonics. In April 2013, Huawei opened a new UK headquarters in Green Park, Reading.

Margaret Eyres Head of Direct Lending, Direct Lending Division UK Export Finance

Margaret Eyres joined UK Export Finance in March 2015 to head up the new direct lending division. Margaret and her team of underwriters are currently working with a panel of 20 banks and other financial organisations to deliver the new £3 billion direct lending facility in support of UK based exporters. This UKEF facility enables overseas buyers to draw on a reliable funding source, the UK government, at the lowest available fixed interest rates determined by the OECD, if they buy British and are seeking medium or long term funding for an acceptable contract or project. Margaret has enjoyed an internationally orientated career in corporate banking, including spells as a relationship manager. Prior to arriving at UKEF, Margaret was the head of export finance UK at Société Générale focussing on major British exporters for over five years and was also latterly managing the bank's export finance relationship with EDC, the Canadian export credit agency. From 2011 to early 2015, Margaret represented the Export Finance and Trade Committee of the British Bankers' Association at the Brussels-based European Banking Federation’s Export Credit Working Group. Some 25 years of her career has spanned trade services, trade finance and export finance at Midland Bank International, ABN AMRO and Société Générale in Paris and London. Margaret’s experience includes both corporate and sovereign borrowers in developed and emerging markets, along with European exporters across a range of industrial sectors. Born in Liverpool, Margaret is a graduate of Loughborough University and a charity trustee for The M.E. Trust. Margaret returns regularly to her family and friends on Merseyside and to the French farming community where she became a fluent French speaker as a teenager. Rob Keller Head of Global Trade Finance, UK & Ireland NatWest

Rob currently heads a Product Management & Development team that delivers the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Traditional Trade Finance solutions to UK Commercial and Private Banking customers. This includes product and proposition development, customer experience & loyalty management as well as design of the end to end model. Relevant to this conference is the on-going engagement with risk functions to ensure compliance within the Bank’s Credit, Operational and Regulatory Risk appetite including Sanctions and AML. Rob has been in this and other regional Trade Finance product management roles for over 6 years. Prior to that, he was for over four years Head of various relationship coverage teams in legacy RBS organisations in Central and Eastern Europe and as Commercial Banking Head based in the Milan branch. Rob has also held a number of Trade Finance sales management and senior origination roles in London, Amsterdam and New York covering Traditional Trade, Supply Chain Finance, ECA Finance, Project Finance & Commodity Finance serving global customers in Western Europe and North America.

Dan Roberts Head of Trade & Working Capital Barclays

Dan has led Barclays’ global trade and supply chain finance businesses, supporting both corporates and financial institutions, for the past 2 years. Dan joined Barclays in 1996 and has worked in a number of roles within Corporate Banking including running corporate debt origination in the UK and Ireland, and leading the structured finance credit team. Dan holds a degree in maths from the University of Oxford and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Adrian Went Managing Director Griffon Hoverwork

Appointed as MD of Griffon Hoverwork in April 2009 and tasked with bringing together the 44 years1 of Hovercraft experience vested in the UK’s two leading hovercraft manufacturers for the Bland Group. The company now has more than 180 craft in operation with 64 military, commercial and rescue service customers in 41 countries across the globe. This includes a single order for 12 large hovercraft for the Indian Coast Guard, the largest craft built in UK since 1980 (Korean Coastguard) and fleets for the Canadian Coastguard, Pakistan Navy, Peruvian Marines and Colombian Marines (latter two for counter narco-terrorist operations). In this time Griffon Hoverwork has consolidated into Southampton premises, exceeded £30m in turnover, increased its workforce to 180 marine industry experts, won the Queens Award for Export and the National Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award. Previously Adrian worked at board level in operations appointments in the retail and hi-tech healthcare sectors after serving in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers including front line command in Iraq, Jordan, Africa, the Far East and Arctic Norway with 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. Trained at the Staff College and Sandhurst, he is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society having gained a BSc (Hons) in Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Southampton and an MSc in Defence Technology at Cranfield. He lives in Winchester with his children, George, India and Harry who are all at school and college in the area. He attempts to maintain his fitness by cycling in the Hampshire countryside as well as taking an active role with the local Scout Association. Ray Zabarte GTS Product Head Trade Services NatWest

Ray Zabarte is the GTS Product Head Trade Services at NatWest.

1 Griffon Hoverwork brought together Hoverwork, formed in 1965, and Griffon Hovercraft, formed in 1967.

Adam Marshall Director of Policy & External Affairs British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)

Adam Marshall was appointed Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in July 2009. Adam represents the interests of the Chamber of Commerce Network - with 53 accredited Chambers and over 100,000 member businesses across the UK - in Whitehall, Westminster and the media. Prior to joining the BCC, Adam was Head of Policy at the Centre for Cities think-tank. During his five years at the Centre (2004-2009), Adam played a central role in the organisation's start-up and spin-out from the Institute for Public Policy Research. He also led work on city leadership, transport, local finance, and economic development. Previously, Adam also worked for the Cambridge-MIT Institute (2003-2004), and in local politics in his native Washington DC. Adam holds a BA from Yale University, and MPhil and PhD degrees from the University of Cambridge. Mark Ling Head of International Large Corporates Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking

Mark joined Santander to drive the development of its International business across the UK in May 2014. He is responsible for International Orgination across our Large Corporate business (£50 + Turnover) nationally and for our Trade Finance and Supplier Finance solutions across SCCB. Mark represents the Bank in numerous forums in particular the BBA on committees that focus on Exports and Trade Finance. Also acts as lead for our relationship with UKEF. Prior to joining Santander Mark spent 12 years at RBS leading various businesses and teams throughout its Large Corporate, Institutional, Corporate and SME business. He was instrumental in building the FTSE 350 business around the Trade and Supply chain financing disciplines. Mark began his career as a management trainee with Standard Chartered bank where he worked across the UK branch network, in London and in Asia for 20 years. As well as leading Corporate and Institutional Banking teams across a variety of sectors, geographies and segments he also developed Standard Chartered’s Supply Chain Financing proposition, leading a Global team in Singapore. Mark is passionate about developing international business across the corporate and commercial segments and creating the next generation of Exporters and skilled international bankers

Andrew Charnley Head of Trade, Mid Markets Lloyds Banking Group

An experienced leader who has a strong track record across Product and Coverage business areas, Andrew joined Lloyds Banking Group in August 2015 and has responsibility for the London & South Trade & Working Capital Business as well as oversight for the UK Mid Markets Trade Business. His career to date spans 22 years after graduating in Economics in 1993. During that time he has worked in SME & Mid Markets Commercial Banking, completing various client- facing & leadership roles across Coverage & Product. Based in London, his role has direct responsibility for 22 FTE all of whom are in client facing roles and indirect oversight for a further 12. Trade & Working Capital continues to be a key focus area for LGB in the Mid Markets segment, ensuring that we deliver for our clients in terms of the end to end working capital requirements. Shaun Purrington Executive Director Arthur J Gallagher

Shaun is Executive Director of Arthur J Gallagher International , one of the largest credit risk management groups in the world. He was previously Regional Head of credit insurer Atradius and is a past chairman of the ABI's Trade Credit Committee. He currently sits on the Advisory Council of the International Credit & Trade Finance Association (ICTF) and is a leading authority on the trade credit markets for SMEs including the role of the Government in making credit more freely available. Scott Morrison Head of Special Products, Trade Credit AIG

Scott Morrison is Head of Special Products for the Trade Credit Division of AIG Europe Ltd and has been at AIG for 12 years. The AIG Special Products Team is responsible for Captive Trade Credit Structures, Supply Chain Finance, Medium Term Trade Credit and Multinational structures. Prior to joining AIG Scott was at Trade Indemnity (Euler Hermes) for 13 years having joined as a Management Trainee after graduating LL.B from Glasgow University. During his time at Trade Indemnity Scott fulfilled a number of Underwriting Manager roles across the Commercial, Risk and New Business teams.

Rachael Anstock Deputy Regional Manager, Credit & Political Risks Zurich London

Following graduation from the University of Aston Business School, I joined what is now Euler Hermes UK where I worked for nine years mainly in Export Credit Underwriting and then in key account client management. Subsequent to this, I worked as a broker at Marsh in both the Trade Credit and Political Risk practices dealing with major clients and then the placement of business into the London market for both banks and major corporates. I have been with Zurich Credit & Political Risks for just over ten years, now being deputy head of the UK operation which is part of Zurich Global Corporate operation underwriting cross border business for a range of financial institution and corporate clients across Europe. Zurich is a leading player in the London insurance market covering non honouring of Sovereign, Sub Sovereign, State Owned company payment obligations for both financial institution and corporate clients and non payment by private companies. Mark Whiteley Sales & Marketing Manager Credit Risk Solutions

Mark is a very experienced practitioner in the credit & political risk market. His grounding was with the Credit Insurance Association (CIA) who he joined in 1991. Since 2005 Mark has been with Credit Risk Solutions (CRS) the UK’s Largest independently owned Credit & Political Risk Broker. His principle role is the development of new business as well as working closely with Financial Institutions with their requirements. A keen cricket fan after a 20 year career in the Lancashire Leagues apparently most of Mark’s time out of work is now spent driving his daughters around.... Denise Rowley Credit Insurance Business Development UK Export Finance

Denise Rowley has extensive experience of the credit insurance industry and trade finance having worked for ECGD until privatisation of its short term arm in 1991. She continued to manage the London Office for the new owner, the Dutch insurer NCM (Atradius) and has also worked in the corporate sector in the areas of credit and risk protection. Two and a half years ago she returned to UK Export Finance, as the Export Finance Adviser for London and latterly responsible for business development of the Department’s short term insurance products.

Paul Smith Head of Trade Finance, SME Lloyds Banking Group

Paul Smith is the head of Trade Finance in Lloyds Bank’s Global Transaction Banking division, supporting small and medium sized businesses. Paul has worked for Lloyds Banking Group for more than 31 years, and leads a team of 18 international business managers across the UK that support businesses with an annual turnover up to £25million through the different stages of their international growth strategy. Paul joined the Global Transactional Banking team in 2015 after a spell as area director for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking in the North West and as a senior manager role in the bank’s national Risk Management team. John Carroll Head of International UK Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking

Following the strategic International Business Unit created at Group level, Santander UK has created their own International division. This area services both the SME client base and Corporate Banking clients. Given Banco Satander’s international presence and our growing alliances with correspondent banks covering the most important trade corridors of our client base, along with the recent implementation of our international product capabilities, this new area is a “game changer” in our quest in becoming the SME and Corporate Bank of choice in the UK. The creation of Santander UKs new International platform involves both a major deployment of resources and a fundamental change in the way international services are delivered to our clients. A native Australian, John has a specialist Masters in International Economics. Throughout his 17 years with the Group, he’s been involved in the International sphere, having held a diverse range of senior roles for Santander across the Markets, International Payments and Trade space, and having had extensive experience in the Asian, Latin American, European and the Middle East markets. John is very well positioned for this new role after successfully building growth businesses and most recently as Head of the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) in Santander UK where he and his team significantly grew the FIG franchise in the last three years. Jacqui Ma Founder Good Ordering

Australian – British accessories designer Jacqui Ma is currently resides in London. Her degree in Industrial design first lead her into luggage design where she worked at Tripp, designing luggage for Debenhams designing luggage including collaborations with both Jasper Conran and Orla Kiely Following this she worked as senior designer at Puma international and following that, took up position as head of accessories trends at Global trend forecasting company WGSN. Jacqui founded Goodordering, East London bag company in 2012.

Dave Bailey Founder & Director Hardknott UK

Dave started his career as an engineering apprentice in the nuclear industry after leaving school aged 16. He worked in various roles before eventually, after 20 years feeling like a round peg in a square hole, leaving the security of paid work and in a fit of stupidity sold his very nice house and bought a pub. During his time at the pub he came up with the wheeze to set-up a brewery attached to the pub. The idea was to try to help drive more trade through the doors. This kind of worked, but Dave found that people were asking for his beer to be sent further afield. As the pub was located at the end of a 15 mile single track road in the Lake District, it was decided to sell the pub and set up the brewery in a more commercial location. And so, Hardknott, in its current form, was born. Today Dave has developed Hardknott into Cumbria’s most progressive and best craft brewery. The brewery supplies to a niche, but geographically diverse market, craft beer bars in city centres and various overseas markets. Recently moving out more volume with some significant supermarket deals in the UK. Part of the success of Hardknott has been due to Dave and his team’s engagement with the new-wave craft beer market via social media. Looking forward to a more modern out-look for beer rather than the old-fashion “real ale” which has helped to engage a much younger audience.

Alan Ainsbury Head of Trade & Supply Chain Transaction Services UK NatWest

Alan started his career in Lloyds Bank working in their trade operations division looking at all areas of international business. He moved to Barclays to manage their insured receivables business and credit insurance policy and has since held various senior positions including Global RD for Commodities, Head of Supply Chain Finance and STCF and, finally, Head of UK Trade Finance. Alan moved to RBS in August 2013 to take up the position of Head of Trade, International and Supply Chain, Transaction Services UK. He has responsibility for supporting the network teams in origination of international business. Paul Rogers Vice-President, Relationship Management, UK, Nordics & Southern Africa BNY Mellon Treasury Services

Paul Rogers is the Relationship & Sales Officer within BNY Mellon’s Treasury Services unit responsible for the UK, Nordic and Southern African markets. Paul joined BNY Mellon 6 years ago from Deutsche Bank where he spent almost 10 years as a Credit Officer focussed on the risk management of their transaction banking business. Prior to this Paul spent 10 years at HSBC with the vast majority of his time directly involved in supporting the bank’s trade finance clients.

Melodie Michel Deputy Editor Global Trade Review (GTR)

Melodie Michel is the deputy editor of GTR magazine, the world's leading international trade finance magazine. She has extensive business journalism experience, covering GTR conferences as well as events organised by other industry bodies around the world. In her role, she regularly organises and chairs roundtables attended by senior trade finance representatives. Having graduated in France, her home country, Melodie joined GTR in 2012 as a reporter, and returned to the company in 2014 after a year spent freelancing. John Bugeja Director Trade Advisory Network

John Bugeja is a highly experienced trade, supply chain and invoice finance specialist with more than 40 years experience in senior leadership roles with HSBC, NatWest, RBS, Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group. After leaving RBS in 2012, where he was Global Head of Trade Services, John set up JB Trade Advisory Limited and was contracted to Lloyds initially as Head of Trade Sales and then as Head of Open Account Products, Global Transaction Banking. John has now joined forces with Lionel Taylor as Managing Director of Trade Advisory Network Limited, an advisory network specialising in the strategic development of global supply chain, trade and invoice finance. Trade Advisory Network Limited works with financial organisations, corporates and industry bodies to ensure optimal benefits realisation. Key areas of expertise include origination, risk and governance, product management and development, business development, organisation design, change management, process facilitation, training and management development. John is passionate about promoting the development of supply chain finance in all its forms and was a member of the drafting group that wrote the ICC rules for the Bank Payment Obligation (URBPO).

Geraldine Grandidier Founder Tidy Books

Not many women make the leap from violin making to manufacturing for a global market, but Geraldine Grandidier found an untapped niche in the market for her original children’s bookcase, and built her successful business. Tidy Books is a small British company which designs and manufactures an award-winning range of storage for children. Geraldine Grandidier, violin maker by trade, set up Tidy Books in 2004 from her East London workshop with an investment of £500. Now Tidy Books operates in the US, Australia, Europe and the UK, retailing in high street names such as John Lewis, and Amazon US. Geraldine has propelled Tidy Books with her innovative approach to doing business; successfully establishing factory production in China, and pioneering the use of an eco-friendly water lacquer. In 2013, Geraldine was awarded the prestigious Stevie Gold Award for International Female Entrepreneur of the Year in recognition of her achievements. In the same year she was selected onto the Goldman Sachs/UCL 10,000 Small Businesses development programme. She led Tidy Books through a successful equity crowdfunding round in 2014 via Crowdcube, to fund an international expansion plan, which the Tidy Books team is currently putting into action. Geoffrey de Mowbray Chief Executive & Managing Director Dints International

Geoff is an experienced entrepreneur having created several businesses focusing on IT, satellite communications and London property development. During his time living in Cameroon, Geoff’s experiences fostered the desire to change the way that business is conducted in Africa and this has been a driving force ever since. Geoff set up Dints International in 2007 focusing the company on supporting the heavy equipment industries in Africa. Drawing on his experience of businesses and cultures throughout Africa, Europe, USA, South America and Asia his objective is to develop effective, realistic and tangible solutions around the globe while promoting responsible and sustainable business. Geoff was awarded the Young Exporter of the Year accolade in late 2013 by the British Exporters’ Association (BExA) and was then delighted to accept an appointment to the BExA Council in September 2014. Geoff is passionate about using business as a tool for development across Africa and spends much of his time travelling across the continent meeting clients, suppliers and business partners.

Michelle Gill Director Oceans ESU

In 2002 Michelle began her career working for the German company BSW GmbH, managing administration, marketing and representing the company at trade exhibitions. She then spent five years with HBOS Plc (now Lloyds Banking Group) gaining extensive experience in Business administration. Following this, Michelle joined the Oceans-ESU team as a Director in 2010 and since then she has been responsible for all aspects of business finance and administration. Oceans-ESU was formed in 1992 and is led by Managing Director Professor Lucian Gill. Oceans-ESU Ltd is a highly respected technical consultancy and is the world leader in innovative waste water treatment technologies; with over 30 years’ experience in the research, design, installation and maintenance of engineered reed bed (wetland) treatment systems. Oceans have installed these systems for a range of organisations around the world, from small firms and businesses to global blue chip clients. Since joining the Oceans-ESU team, Michelle has been foremost in developing a new sales and marketing strategy using pension-led funding as finance. This approach has enabled the company to realise a strategy that continues to secure new contracts both across the UK and internationally in countries including Malaysia, India and South Sudan. Angus Dent Chief Executive ArchOver

Angus co-founded ArchOver in early 2013 and together with a highly experienced team developed the concept of ‘Secured and Insured’ crowdlending – a global first. In mid-2014, as the platform prepared to launch, the team secured investment, both equity in the company and lending over the platform from Hampden Group. The company is now experiencing exponential growth as its unique model finds favour with large Borrowers and active Investors. Angus qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse. He has helped build a number of technology businesses, holding senior directorships in these AIM and TSX listed companies. Angus was CFO of OneClickHR PLC (1999 – 2006), which was floated in May 2000 and CFO and then CEO of Synchronica (2006 – 2011) followed by CEO of Synchronica (2011 – 2012).

Mark Norris Partner Sullivan & Worcester UK

Mark Norris is a partner in the Finance and the Trade & Export Finance groups in Sullivan & Worcester’s London office. His practice covers cross border syndicated lending, structured export credit agency finance, structured trade and commodity finance, debt restructurings, acquisition finance and asset finance. Mark has over 20 years’ experience advising on financings in growth and emerging markets. In addition, Mark advises on bribery and corruption issues in connection with trade and export finance.

Mark had advised on export credit agency transactions backed by leading export credit agencies including UK Export Finance and the Export Import Bank of the United States. Mark sits on the British Bankers’ Association Export Finance and Trade Committee and Co-Heads their Documentation Working Group.

Mark has lived and practised in the Czech Republic (Prague), England (London), Germany (Düsseldorf and Frankfurt) and Russia (Moscow).

Mark holds graduate and post-graduate degrees from the London School of Economics and has attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Education programme. Nicholas Oliver Head of Business Development NMS International Group

Nicholas Oliver co-founded The NMS International Group Limited to undertake national infrastructure projects in Africa. NMSI has spearheaded investment and contracts into West Africa to deliver projects that have a positive impact on the communities in which they operate. Some $ 575 million has been won in the last two years.

Nick Oliver has over 20 years’ experience of business development in developing countries and has generated significant exports from Africa and the Far East for Britain. He is a procurement specialist with extensive experience of structuring and delivery of complex international projects.

He previously spent 20 years as an officer of the British Army ( The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards ) after passing out from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, winning the coveted Sword of Honour for his entry.

Nick also founded and is a Trustee of the Waterloo Military Families Fund raising funds for the families of British Military casualties.

Jack Bardakjian Managing Director Gapuma

Jack Bardakjian is a true entrepreneur. In fifteen years he has taken Gapuma from a one-man operation to a global commodities business with a nine-figure turnover, and more than one-hundred staff, in fourteen offices, worldwide. Gapuma’s successes have been built on the reliability and professionalism of its staff and their attention for detail and an ever-mindful respect for the clients’ needs. Its achievements have been recognised by its peers, ISO’s independent auditors, and perhaps most significantly by the granting of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade and its inclusion into the LSE 1000 companies to inspire Britain. Jack says he is here today, because more than ever Gapuma seeks to improve on a winning formula. Rollo Reid Technical Director Reid Steel

Birmingham University 62 to 65. Commissioned Royal Engineers 1965 Served in various engineering roles and instructor roles BAOR, Far East, Middle East, UK, USA. Qualified CEng MICE 1974. Joined REIDsteel 1978 Became Technical Director 1980 Qualified FIStructeE 1993 Specialised in selling, designing, constructing various steel framed structures, particularly for export markets. These include highway bridges, aircraft hangars and doors, industrial, commercial, defensive and other structures. In the company of NMS, hospitals across Ghana. Awarded 4 Queen’s Awards for export at intervals.

Chris van Niekerk Head of Africa, Global Corporates Barclays

Chris is based in London and focuses on strategic coverage of Barclays’ multinational clients with operations in Africa. He has a South African background and has had extensive involvement in African banking, including landmark sovereign international debt issues. He is a member of the Africa Global Clients Management Committee and the Africa Lending Commitments Committee. Chris has been at Barclays for the past 15 years, both in Corporate and Investment Banking. During this time he has led the Multinational Corporate team which delivers transactional banking for Barclays’ largest global client groups and he also headed the Corporate Debt Capital Markets business for the EMEA region for 8 years. Prior to Barclays, Chris was at UBS Investment Bank (from Swiss Bank Corporation) where he held positions as Head of the European CP/ Money Markets business (in London) and as Head of the Asian Capital Markets business (based in Hong Kong). He served on the bank’s Hong Kong Management Committee. Chris began his career in financial services at Citigroup in1984, with a variety of roles in the loan and debt securities markets, based variously in London, Johannesburg, Paris and New York Chris holds a BSc Chemical Engineering and a Master’s in Industrial Administration from the University of Cape Town as well as a MBA from the School of Management, Cranfield University in the UK. Chris was awarded scholarships by both the De Beers Group and Rotary International. Bryan Richmond Director, Supply Chain Services Crown Agents

Bryan has spent a large part of his career in Crown Agents overseas markets, particularly Africa living on the continent for 8 years (Zimbabwe 94-99 and Kenya 05-08). He now leads business globally for supply chain services and is a regular visitor to Crown Agents markets in Africa. He has worked extensively with a range of donors and clients but key attributes are an understanding of how to do business in Africa and a long-standing business relationship with DFID for whom Crown Agents operates the Ebola response supply chain in Sierra Leone. He is well versed in export financed deals underwritten by UKEF and USEXIM.

Paul Udenze Chief Executive Officer BritChem Products

Paul is an experienced Chief Executive with extensive expertise and knowledge in Strategic Planning, Business Development, Financial Planning, Change Management and Human Resources Management.

Currently CEO of BritChem Products UK Ltd (now trading as Soligard GB) an award winning Surface Coatings and Solvents manufacturer and exporter. The company exports to West Africa the main market being Nigeria.

Prior to setting up BritChem, Paul worked in senior positions in both the private and voluntary sector, holding the following positions, Interim CEO CREC Ltd Birmingham, an Enterprise Agency supporting start-ups, CEO The Drum Arts Centre Birmingham, a £6.5m capital project funded by the public sector to support the development of African, Asian and Caribbean Arts in Birmingham. Supervisor Cost Analysis and Reporting Jaguar Cars Ltd Coventry.

Paul has also served on several boards of voluntary organisations including Culture West Midlands Ltd, Audiences Central West Midlands, Trans Europe Halles, Black Country Touring and is currently Chair of ACE Dance and Music Ltd.

Pauls’ academic qualifications include BA Accounting and Finance (University of Wales, 1985) and MBA (Cardiff Business School, 1986). Paul also completed the Director as Strategic Leader Programme at (Cranfield School of Management 2000). Paul is a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Stephan Saalfeld Head of Structuring, Global Trade Finance Group ABC International Bank

Stephan Saalfeld is the Head of Structuring, Global Trade Finance Group at ABC International Bank. Chris Blackford Operations Director Sky Futures

In 2006 and 2010 Chris Blackford served in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He had a specialist role coordinating all unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), combat aircraft and helicopters. It was here that Chris saw the potential for UAVs to be used commercially to measure, monitor and inspect dangerous and hard to access areas. He saw the savings and efficiencies that could be found by using UAVs for what are normally dangerous or difficult tasks in the commercial sector. Chris set up Sky-Futures in 2009 along with friend Nick Rogers, a certified commercial airline pilot, and fellow army officer James Harrison. Five years on and Sky-Futures is now the leading specialist oil and gas drone inspection provider globally. Within the last 12 months Sky-Futures have increased exports globally to the UK, South East Asia, Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Scandinavia. During this time the business grew by over 700% in FY2014.

David Cant Managing Director Albion Overseas

David started working in Russia in the late 1980’s, as USSR rep of a USA trading company. Based in Moscow, he became CIS Director, running their Russian business through some of the most turbulent times in Russia’s recent past, (including a coup, the dissolution of the USSR, and the uneasy transition from a command to demand economy). In the mid-nineties, David returned to the UK to become the country’s youngest Export Promoter. Seconded to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), David advised UK companies on how to do business in Russia. There followed a period of seven years as MD of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce (RBCC), where he opened their Moscow office, built a new team, expanded the Chamber’s range of activities and events, and trebled their turnover. David founded Albion (Overseas) Ltd in 1996. Albion has helped hundreds of companies to enter the Russian market and develop salesy. Albion has helped large companies such as Velcro, Grace Foods and BOCM PAULS, but its principal thrust is to help British SME exporters. Help can be provided in product certification, sales work, research, prospecting and many other critical activities to assist companies to make an impact. Towards the end of 2014, David’s company won a tender with the Government of Northern Ireland and now supplies all companies in the region with their consultancy and intelligence requirements for Russia. Amongst Albion’s other activities are events, including the well-established conference, “Russia: Practical Solutions”, with the BBC’s Bridget Kendall, now in its eleventh year. Smaller events around the country throughout the year focus on making Russia an easier market to understand and offering pragmatic assistance. Albion works closely with chambers of commerce, trade associations and the UKTI. Last month, David was invited to attend the Red Square celebrations of the end of WWII, where he met President Putin and other dignitaries. A fluent Russian speaker, David is a frequent business traveller to Russia, and commentator in the media. He is passionate in his aim to dispel some of the common myths about Russia, many of which are media-led. Russia remains the biggest country in the world and remains very hungry for British goods and services.

Nigel Kushner Chief Executive Officer W Legal

Nigel is Chief Executive of W Legal. Following his formative years at Clyde & Co, a leading City based international law firm, Nigel spent 8 years as sole in house lawyer at one of the world’s largest privately owned steel traders and latterly at Triland Metals, an LME ring dealer owned by Mitsubishi Corporation. With an equal mix of litigious and non litigious work, Nigel specialises in commercial contracts, international trade and sanctions, topics he regularly lectures on. Nigel’s clients include some of the major ship owners, commodity producers, trading houses and international exporters. Acting as part time general counsel for many clients, Nigel provides hands-on, practical advice in a down to earth manner. nigel.kushner@wlegal.co.uk Marco Nindl Trade Finance Banker, Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD)

Marco Nindl is a Trade Finance Banker at the European Bank for Reconstruction (EBRD) within the Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP). Having joined the TFP team in January 2005, he worked on various projects within the TFP; his current role involves not only the day to day operations but also liaising with financial institutions worldwide within the framework of the Programme (www.ebrd.com/tfp). Prior to joining the EBRD and during his academic studies, Marco gained extensive experience on the trade finance and banking market by working for RZB in New York, Coface Credit Insurance and Oesterreichische Kontrollbank (OeKB) in Vienna. Marco graduated from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration with a Master of Science in Economics, where he specialised in Banking and International Business.

Peter Sargent Head of Transaction Banking, Europe ANZ

Peter is Head of Transaction Banking, Europe and Middle East for Australia and New Zealand Bank tasked with devising and driving regional strategy and executing against the Transaction Banking business plan. He joined ANZ from Lloyds TSB where he was head of Sales for Corporate Transaction Services. Peter spent 7 years at Citigroup as Head of Trade Sales, Europe, where he was responsible for leading the banks sales to European and Global corporate clients. He joined Citi from ABN Amro where he was head of UK Trade for Commodities, Export Credit and Trade Finance. His formative years were spent at Royal Bank of Scotland in a variety of roles. He is a regular speaker and trainer on a variety of topics including International Trade, Sales and Working Capital. He has previously acted as an adviser to the UK Government on Trade policy matters. Married with 2 children, his hobbies include climbing mountains, martial arts, watching football and rugby. Westaway Sausages has recently been named by the Government as one of 50 “Food Stars”. An award to recognise the Rising Stars of Britain’s Food and Drink Industry. Charles’s role at Westaways is very much that of the founder, visionary and team coach. By coincidence his family has been involved in Butchery and meat processing for over 100 years, and by his own admission he finds himself as a round peg in a round hole. His top tip for UK companies looking to grow an export market in Asia, is to invest heavily in personal time building enduring, and trusted relations with customers in these countries. Charles Baughan Managing Director Westaway Sausages

A former Royal Marine Officer, Charles has a wide experience of manufacturing and operations, typically working for private equity companies looking to maximise the value of their investments. He has worked in many sectors including Transport, Industrial Property, Fishing, Packaging, Tile Manufacture and Joinery. In 2008 he bought Westaways Sausages, one of the companies he had helped. From a bespoke factory in the West Country, Westaways can now produce up to 500,000 Award winning British Pork sausages a day. His team at Westaways has focused on bringing innovation to meat processing and adding value to their production. At the same time Charles has found new markets around the world where they can export pork products. Working closely with the BPEX (the organisation that represents pig levy payers in England), Westaways has been first to market in Hong Kong, Japan and recently India. China is without doubt the biggest market but there is no agreement yet in place between the UK and Chinese authorities to allow direct exports. Charles is lobbying hard and has been to China with the Prime Minister to help open this important market. In addition to exports, Westaways has reacted to the challenging UK retail market by developing a range of sausages for Food Service and these have won Gold Medals at the UK Foodservice Awards for the last two years. Each day their sausages are served with 11,000 breakfasts and a further 4,000 sausage whirls are served daily in hot baps at UK filling stations.

Nigel Bobs Founder & Director Svaja

Nigel Bobs is joint founder and managing director of Svaja, a company formed in 1999 specialising in decorative glass for the high end interior markets. In fact at launch Svaja's second customer resulted in an export to Hong Kong and the third was to Malaysia... all from a show at the NEC! Thus exporting is in the company's DNA Nigel's career in sales and marketing has spanned more than 30 years and has included senior positions in a number of blue chip companies including as Bank of Scotland, Bank of Ireland, Ford Credit, Hertz Leasing and Honda UK. Building Svaja from the ground up, he left Honda UK in 2005 to actively market Svaja in international markets. With notable projects in the GCC, Svaja is active in the hospitality markets and specifically Hotels, Palaces and the Health sectors. Notable recent projects include: King Khalid University Hospital - Riyadh Crowne Plaza ITCC - Riyadh Burj Al Arab - Dubai Yas Island Hotel - Abu Dhabi Hyatt Captal Gate - Abu Dhabi Radisson Blu Festival City - Dubai Prince's Residence - Riyadh

John Burbidge-King Chief Executive Officer Interchange Solutions

John is a corporate governance and integrity risk expert with significant cross cultural and senior international management experience at board, director and senior government levels. Former Royal Marines officer – operations in Middle, Far East and Africa, followed by 21 year career in De La Rue, the world’s leading currency and security printer. He managed the international distribution and sales for currency, cash handling equipment and sold computerized finger print systems, to China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Jordan and, in Europe and South America. Won contracts for major security printing plants in Ukraine and Kazakhstan; lived in Bahrain working closely with governments and the GCC in Riyadh. John established Interchange in 2006 (www.interchange-solutions.co.uk) - “turning risk into business value”. Helping organisations of all sizes and sectors to improve their governance, engendering responsible leadership through mitigating corruption risk. Interchange has worked in 62 countries and in 2013 completed a major corporate governance project for the Kazakh National Railways (KTZ). He gave evidence on “adequate procedures” to Parliament on the Bribery Bill, compiled the UK aerospace and defence industry Business Ethics Toolkit and is a committee member of the BSI G3/BS10500 anti-bribery standards; Advisory Board member of Christ Church Canterbury Business School and of the Lipetsk Region (Russia) Investment Board; speaks Arabic, a little Russian. Simon Copeland Latin America International Trade Specialist UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)

Simon Copeland is an experienced Executive working with scale ups, start ups and SMEs both public sector and blue chip companies. He has extensive European and international management and business development experience launching businesses and growing businesses in new territories. Working with business owners and investors he has successfully grown businesses organically and through M&A activities, developing staff, operations and processes to achieve the owners strategic objectives or achieve successful exits releasing equity value to the stakeholders over 6 IPO and trade sale exits. Simon currently works with UKTI and a range of clients acting as a Chairman, Non Executive Director and board adviser. As manager of the UKTI emerging markets team in East Midlands Simon focuses on developing UK SMEs access to international markets with particular emphasis on Latin America.

Paul Eadie Latin America Market Advisor, Northwest UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)

Paul ran a successful family business until its takeover in 1991 after 26 years during which he helped to transform it into a public Company. In 1994 he became the DTI Export Promoter for Brazil and in the millennium Honours list was awarded an MBE for services to exports to Brazil. In 2001 he became the Brazil Market Adviser within Canning House TBS (Formerly known as LATAG, the Latin American Trade Advisory Group on which he served between 1985 and 1994. Paul was engaged in January 2005 to act as Latin American Market Adviser on behalf of UKTI in the Northwest. Paul has led over 50 Trade Missions to Latin America as well as at least 15 to Eastern Europe. He has been visiting Latin America regularly since 1972. He first visited Latin America in 1972 and has been a regular visitor every year since. Whilst working mainly in the North West Paul is consulted by SMES across the UK and is frequently asked to speak at Seminars in all regions of England. Paul speaks French, German, Spanish, Italian and Brazilian Portuguese fluently as well as some basic Greek and Russian. Robert Capurro Chief Executive Officer The Hispanic & Luso Brazilian Council

Born and brought up in Bogotá, Robert was subsequently educated in the UK at The King’s School Canterbury and King’s College London. Graduating in 1983, Robert embarked upon a career in international corporate insurance broking which included stints with Barclays, A&A, Sedgwick, Aon, Willis and JLT in The City of London as well as senior management positions based in Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Santiago de Chile. Throughout this period, Robert specialised in insurance for major multinational companies as well as large single risks across many sectors including manufacturing, hotels, marine, energy, construction, pulp and paper, forestry, mining, water utilities and business to business services. In addition to 26 years in insurance, Robert was also Director of Sales for Latin America and Caribbean for 4 years for Mabey Bridge, developing high technology modular steel rural, emergency and highway bridge projects throughout the region. Robert joined Canning House in 2013 combining his knowledge of and passion for Latin America and Iberia with a strong commercial business background for the purpose of driving the organisation into a new era of increased activity, relevance and growth in line with the rising importance and profile of Latin America.

Stephen Dootson Financial Director Hughes Safety Showers

Stephen joined the Hughes Group in early 2009 and had a background in accountancy with training completed 20 years ago with a well-known North West Regional firm, since moving into industry in 1984 he has held a number of CFO and MD roles across industry. 1984 4 years: CFO of subsidiary company in property development group. 1988: 16 years CFO then MD of healthcare company within PLC group. Skilled in Business Development, Finance, Innovation and General Management. He has had an initial focus on the commercial side of the business and has now created a system of tight financial controls and ensuring the management team deliver the commercial strategy of the Group whilst meeting financial milestones. Stephen is also involved in standardizing 4 overseas offices and assisting in developing export markets which are now 70% of Group turnover. Steve Cowles Export Finance Advisor UK Export Finance

Initially trained as a commercial manager, Steve has spent over thirty years in industry primarily looking after international business across the globe. This experience has been mainly in the capital equipment and food industry fields. Steve previously worked for a bank in the area of trade finance concentrating within the Middle East and North Africa markets. In his current role as export finance adviser for UK Export Finance in the North West of England, Steve assists companies of all sizes both obtaining financing for their exports and mitigating their payment risk. Julian Hucker Chairman Open to Export

Julian is the Chair of Open to Export: a Community Interest Company that aims to support small & medium sized businesses grow through export. Our goal is to help 20,000 businesses export, or to start exporting, by 2020. Open to Export was spun out of UKTI in December 2013 alongside the founders FSB, Institute of Export and Yell. It is funded through a combination of UKTI grant funding and commercial sponsorship. In 2014 HSBC became OtE’s principal partner. Previously Julian co-founded Esendex, a leading provider of Business SMS services. Esendex grew from a back-bedroom operation to a global business with offices in Australia, Europe and the USA. In 2013 Darwin Private Equity purchased Esendex and it has continued to grow in the UK and overseas. Since the sale, Julian has continued to work as a Non-Executive Director for Esendex and with a number of fast-growing technology businesses.

Paul Croucher Head of Trade Finance & Insurance Solutions UK Export Finance

Paul is Head of Trade Finance and Insurance Solutions Group and a member of the executive committee at UK Export Finance- the Government’s Export Credit Agency. Paul leads the area that provides guarantees and credit insurance with a focus on smaller and mid- size businesses, providing advice and support through a national team of specialist export finance advisers. Paul joined UK Export Finance in September 2012 and is a former corporate banker, having led regional teams in Lloyds, RBS and BNP Fortis, as well as leading the set up of an FSA regulated corporate debt advisory firm. Paul is experienced in corporate lending, debt restructuring and business transformation and is well-connected across the UK financial services landscape. Paul is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers and holds an MBA in Banking Management.