Tag: Business and Trade Department

• New legislation to introduce digital labelling for British businesses to cut red tape and save millions in unnecessary regulation costs
• Recognition of CE marking continued for products such as toys and machinery, easing burdens to businesses
• Digital labelling reforms made possible by Brexit and ensures the UK’s regulatory requirements are fit for the modern world

Businesses are set to benefit from reduced costs and burdens as import labels are made digital for the first time.

Digital labelling will allow businesses to put important regulatory or manufacturing information online rather than requiring them to physically print it on their products – saving time and money which can be pushed towards scaling up and growing their company.

This measure has been made possible by leaving the EU and provides greater flexibility than the EU’s regulatory requirements while better reflecting the modern and digital world of business and international trade.

This follows the Product Safety Review consultation and extensive industry engagement – looking at ways to cut costs while benefitting consumers and ensuring our regulatory system is agile and a move towards digital labelling has been something the industry have consistently called for.

Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

“I know first-hand the difficulties businesses face with regulations and red tape, and what we’re announcing today will not only ease business burdens and costs but will enable them to spend their time growing their companies and creating jobs.

“We’ve worked closely with multiple sectors to create policy that works for them and this is another step in the right direction to back British businesses.”

The CE or UKCA marking is used on products to demonstrate the manufacturer is compliant with legal requirements. Last summer, DBT announced the intention to indefinitely recognise current EU requirements, including the CE marking, for the 18 product regulations under the department’s remit.

Following feedback from industry, we are introducing legislation to continue the recognition of CE marking indefinitely for a range of additional regulations which will benefit products including vacuum cleaners and televisions. Full list of covered regulations are below. The UK government is taking a tailored approach to product regulation to ensure the interests of UK businesses, consumers and the economy are taken into account.

This comes as part of wider range of measures as part of our smarter regulation programme, which ensures our laws and regulatory regime are better tailored in the interests of UK businesses, consumers and the economy.

This announcement does not apply to regulations for medical devices, construction products, marine equipment, rail products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment and unmanned aircraft systems, led by relevant government departments.

The indefinite recognition of current EU requirements, including the CE marking, for these 21 regulations means businesses have the flexibility to use either the UKCA or CE marking (Or reverse epsilon marking where applicable) to sell products in Great Britain.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive:

“Recognising CE marking indefinitely is very welcome and a common sense decision that will benefit the motorist and the competitiveness of the UK automotive industry. It means that thousands of aftermarket and supply chain businesses can continue to source vital automotive parts without unnecessary additional cost and complexity, keeping costs low for consumers and ensuring vehicles are built and maintained to the highest possible standards.”

A GAMBICA spokesperson said:

“UK suppliers of instrumentation, control, automation and laboratory equipment, within the membership of GAMBICA, appreciate the government’s engagement and practical steps to facilitate movement of goods across the GB border to ensure the long-term supply of critical components from a complex global supply chain.”

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, Stephen Phipson, said:

“The addition of three further regulated sectors that will benefit from the indefinite recognition of current EU requirements including the use of CE marking, is a welcome move that manufactures who develop and sell products in these areas will very much welcome and support.

“The added introduction of a ‘fast track’ process for products that are covered by multiple regulations, new permanent arrangements for labelling flexibility and an option for digital labelling, will all work together to help safeguard the competitiveness of manufacturers and aid the UK as a destination for investment. Make UK has called for the indefinite extension of a CE marking recognition for all UK manufactured goods to be a permanent change, and this should cover all goods and products sectors produced using a manufacturing process.”

TechUK Director of Markets Matthew Evans said:

“We strongly support the government’s decision to allow the voluntary use of e-labelling, in line with our key recommendations during the UK’s product compliance framework review. This represents a modern and progressive approach by DBT and will undoubtedly cut compliance costs, foster innovation, and lessen environmental impact. It will also align the UK with major trading partners like the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea, improving our trading relationships.”

A new ‘Fast-Track UKCA’ process will also be introduced, allowing manufacturers to use the UKCA marking to demonstrate compliance with either UKCA or recognised EU conformity processes. Where products are covered by multiple regulations, a mixture of both UKCA and CE conformity assessment procedures can be used.

This is designed to provide longer-term certainty and flexibility for businesses should the UK mandate UKCA for certain regulations in the future.

Notes to Editors:

Regulations in scope of this announcement

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) regulations in scope of this announcement are:

·        Equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres Regulations 2016/1107

·        Electromagnetic compatibility Regulations 2016/1091

·        Lifts Regulations 2016/1093

·        Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1101

·        Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1105

·        Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015/1553

·        Recreational Craft Regulations 2017/737

·        Radio Equipment Regulations 2017/1206

·        Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016/1092

·        Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011/1881

·        Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009/ 2824

·        Gas Appliances (EU Regulation) 2016/426

·        Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008/1597

·        Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001/1701

·        Personal Protective Equipment (EU Regulation) 2016/425

·        Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016/1153

·        Non-automatic weighing instruments Regulations 2016/1152

·        Measuring Container Bottles (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1977

For the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):

·        The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 (‘The RoHS Regulations’)

For the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ):

·        The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010

For the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) [The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)]:

·        The Explosives Regulations 2014

Regulations not in scope of this announcement:

The UK government is taking a tailored approach to product regulation to ensure the interests of UK businesses, consumers and the economy are taken into account. There are certain sectors which require a bespoke approach to conformity assessment, and therefore extending recognition of the CE marking for products under the following regulations is not being included in this legislation. This includes:

For The Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC):

·        Construction Product Regulations 2013

For The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) [- Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)]

·        The Medical Devices Regulations 2002

For the Department for Transport (DFT)

·        The Railways (interoperability) Regulations 2011

·        Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment Regulations) 2016

·        The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/816) and The Cableway Installations (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/1347).

·        The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009

·        Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulation 2019/945

• Imports of critical goods for the NHS and UK manufacturing to be protected from global supply chain shocks, safeguarding business and consumers and boosting the economy.
• New Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy forms key part of government work to back business and grow the economy, helping UK companies build strong and resilient supply chains for vital goods and avoid dependence on protectionist or coercive states.
• Cutting-edge research will be used to map the impacts of shocks on supply chains, such as those caused by the Covid pandemic and war in Ukraine and understand how the UK can secure the goods we need in future.

UK supplies of critical goods such as medicines, minerals and semiconductors will be safeguarded, thanks to the Government’s new Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy launched today (Wednesday 17 January).

The recent attacks in the Red Sea, one of the world’s most critical waterways, has threatened global trade. In response to increased geopolitical disruption, and the unprecedented challenges of recent years, like the Covid pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and environmental disasters, the UK Government and businesses have boosted their ability to manage supply chain shocks. This strategy builds on this and will further equip UK businesses to deal with global supply chain problems and access the imports they need which are essential to the functioning of the UK.

Imported goods are vital to our economy. They ensure lower prices, greater choice, and help businesses to be more productive. They enable innovation, drive growth, and are essential to the UK’s world-leading industries, from aerospace to life sciences.

More than 100 top UK firms, including pharmaceutical and manufacturing leaders like The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and Green Lithium have contributed to the strategy to ensure it helps develop resilient and secure supply chains that protect both their business and the consumers who rely on them.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani will launch the Strategy today during a visit to Heathrow Airport, the largest import hub in the UK which handled more than £86 billion of UK imports in 2022.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:

There are many unpredictable events that can threaten our access to vital goods, from the pandemic, Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, and the ongoing attacks in the Red Sea. That’s why we’re taking action to ensure crucial imports like medicines can reach consumers, no matter what happens around the world.

With this strategy we’re equipping business so they no longer have to rely on unpredictable partners for supplies of the goods that keep our country going. By making supply chains stronger we’re helping make the UK a truly safe and reliable place to do business.

Ross Baker, Chief Commercial Officer, Heathrow said:

Heathrow connects the UK to 95% of the world’s economy and facilitates imports of the high value, time-critical goods that British industries like pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and technology rely on. We welcome Government initiatives that make doing business in the UK easier and more efficient, from shoring up supply chains to streamlining cargo processes at the airport, so Heathrow can meet growing demand to import and export across the globe.

The Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy will enable government to share vital information and guidance with businesses on the risks to key supply chains and the practical steps they can take to protect themselves from disruption, including regular updates on emerging supply chain risks, such as new export bans on critical everyday goods imposed by other countries.

As part of the strategy, we will set up a new online portal to allow businesses to quickly report red tape or disruption affecting their critical imports. The government will then work to remove these barriers wherever possible, saving business time and money.

We will also pursue further trade deals to help UK importers access the critical goods they need efficiently and affordably. This provides certainty for traders, allowing businesses to make informed decisions and reduce delays at the border, helping drive growth and streamlining costs.

The strategy sets out how we will use cutting edge research to understand the impacts of shocks on supply chains and how we can secure the critical goods we need in future. This will include researching how climate change will impact on our key supply chains, and how to mitigate the impact of environmental disasters.

We will also set up a new Critical Imports Council that will allow businesses and government to work together to identify risks to critical imports and develop a plan of action – ensuring that business have a central voice in shaping government’s work to build supply chain resilience.

Richard Torbett, ABPI Chief Executive said:

The government’s approach to the critical imports for pharmaceuticals will support our industry to maintain resilient supply chains, helping to ensure consistent access to medicines for UK patients. The medicines and vaccines developed by our industry are vital to public health and the economy. Recent global events like the pandemic have shown that our industry can manage and address global supply chain shocks, especially when working collaboratively with government, and this strategy supports our industry in doing so going forward.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

With our success powered by complex global supply chains, the automotive industry has been pleased to help shape a new strategy that will support manufacturing agility and responsiveness. As we accelerate production of the cleanest and greenest vehicles, and the batteries they need, such a strategy is essential and we look forward to continuing this vital engagement to boost Britain’s resilience and competitiveness – essential to the continued success of the UK as a top tier investment destination for the automotive sector.

Sean Sargent, Green Lithium Chief Executive said:

Green Lithium is pleased to support the new Critical Imports & Supply Chains Strategy. This strategy will help ensure that Green Lithium can acquire the critical minerals it requires to supply the UK’s first low-carbon lithium refinery, further advancing a UK battery supply chain and electric vehicle production. This endeavour will support the UK economy by creating sustainable employment opportunities and supply chains that are fundamental to the energy transition. In combination with the UK Critical Minerals Strategy and the US-UK Atlantic Declaration, we anticipate that this strategy will attract investment in the UK’s critical mining and refining industries and enhance relationships with key mining countries, including Australia, Canada and Brazil. We are grateful to all those involved in establishing this vital strategy.

The Government will also attract international investment to projects like lithium mining in Cornwall to make us more self-sufficient in critical goods used in industries like electric vehicles production and clean energy.

Through the strategy, we will also identify the support UK business needs to connect with new suppliers in international markets, including through our overseas network in more than 100 countries. At the same time, we will use our expertise to support developing countries build supply chains with new international markets, including the UK.

The strategy also sets out how the UK government will work with our friends and international partners to solve supply chain challenges, through steps like the Atlantic Declaration. This partnership with the US includes negotiation of a new critical minerals agreement that will bolster our vital supply chains and ensure the UK’s access to materials we need for future technologies.

• UK and Ukraine launch new tech initiative to further support Ukraine’s recovery following Putin’s illegal invasion
• The UK-Ukraine TechBridge encourages collaboration between UK and Ukrainian tech sectors to boost investment and trade, innovation and skills, to the benefit of both countries
• Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani delivers speech in London to companies and investors as part of the official launch, along with Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation and private sector partners

The UK and Ukraine have today launched a new initiative to facilitate commercially-driven partnerships and growth in both tech sectors and further support Ukraine’s recovery.

The UK-Ukraine TechBridge aims to support economic resilience for Ukraine while bringing benefits to the tech sectors in both countries.

The initiative will seek to facilitate digital trade and investment by supporting relationships between high potential Ukrainian businesses and UK tech firms and investors, and through a series of virtual “missions” in priority sectors such as healthtech, agritech and fintech.

A number of UK-based tech companies have worked together to present a set of free online training opportunities alongside in-person and online expert discussions for Ukrainian businesses looking to develop their skills.

Following an agreement signed last year, Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani will officially launch the UK-Ukraine TechBridge with Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Bornyakov, in London today.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:

As Minister for Ukraine Reconstruction, I am delighted to be launching this fantastic programme, building connections between the UK and Ukraine tech companies.

Ukraine’s tech sector has provided crucial support throughout the war and is key to the country’s resilience and future recovery.

By building partnerships between British and Ukrainian businesses and promoting innovation, we are demonstrating the power of trade, and are helping lay the foundations for Ukraine’s long-term recovery opening up future opportunities for businesses on both sides.

The programme will ensure that both British and Ukrainian tech businesses sectors have access to each other’s markets for commercial opportunities, making the most of the UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement.

The TechBridge website is accessible as of today, and in-person missions for Ukrainian companies will start as early as March. Organisations or individuals are invited to sign up to receive more information as we continue to build the offer and set up specific events.

Ukraine Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Bornyakov said:

The UK-Ukraine TechBridge is a platform that brings together the potential and the expertise of both Ukrainian and UK’s tech sectors.

Its launch provides crucial support for Ukraine’s IT industry.

I am confident that, through the UK-Ukraine TechBridge, numerous large-scale joint projects will be implemented, setting an example of successful, mutually beneficial international partnership for other countries.

The UK remains a key partner for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts and this programme adds to the UK’s commitment to ensure UK companies are well-placed to maximise their contribution to one of the largest infrastructure programmes globally.

Background

• More information about the TechBridge can be found on the dedicated website: ukukrainetechbridge.org.
• The intention to establish TechBridge was announced by the UK Prime Minister at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London in June 2023. We have developed strong relationships with Ukrainian officials and ministers to identify immediate needs and provide the expertise of UK businesses, as prioritised by the Government of Ukraine.
• The UK is supporting private sector engagement with Ukraine through several initiatives including on war insurance, and a CityUK-Ukraine Hub for sharing expertise in financial and professional services. The UK signed the UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement in November 2023, read more on gov.uk.

The Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Mr Kevin Hollinrake MP, has appointed seven new members to the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s panel of Ordinary Members.

The Tribunal is a specialist judicial body with expertise in law, economics, business and accountancy. Its function is to hear and decide appeals and other applications or claims involving competition or economic regulatory issues.

The new members are:

Andrew Taylor

Andrew is a former Senior Director at the UK Competition Commission, and a former Director of the Cooperation and Competition Panel for NHS-funded services. Prior to these roles, Andrew advised internationally on utilities sector reform after starting his career as an economist for the Australian Government. More recently, Andrew has been a partner, advising on competition matters, at Aldwych Partners. His experience includes merger inquiries, market investigations and conduct-related issues.

Anthony Woodgate

Anthony studied science and law at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, followed by postgraduate studies in the UK. He entered private practice in EU, competition and regulatory law with a focus on litigation and agency enforcement. He then pursued studies in physics, nanotechnology and renewable energy.

Hugh Kelly

Hugh is an accountant with 20 years’ experience in regulatory and competition finance, particularly in the application of financial accounting data to answer economic questions relating to costing, pricing and profitability. He currently works as an independent consultant, and as a Non-Executive Board Member of the Single Source Regulations Office.

Ioannis Kokkoris

Ioannis Kokkoris is a Professor of Competition Law and Economics and the Head of School at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University London. He previously worked at the Office of Fair Trading (and briefly at the European Commission and US Federal Trade Commission) and has been involved in numerous capacity building and law reform projects in various countries. He publishes on all areas of competition law and economics with a main focus on merger control (including on aspects of national security).

Ioannis Lianos

Ioannis Lianos is Professor of Global Competition Law and Public Policy at University College London, Faculty of Laws, where he has been teaching since 2005. He was President of the Hellenic Competition Commission from August 2019 to December 2023. Ioannis was elected a member of the Bureau of the OECD Competition Committee in 2021 and re-elected in 2022 and 2023.

Keith Derbyshire

Keith Derbyshire was a government economist for 25 years, ending his career as the Chief Economist and Chief Analyst at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in 2016. At DHSC he specialised in resource allocation, policy appraisal and the development of incentives and regulations to overcome market failure in health care delivery. In 2017 he was made Honorary Professor of Health Economics at the Centre of Health Economics at the University of York, where he acts as an independent advisor to their Policy Research Unit.

Lesley Farrell

Lesley Farrell qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and has over 20 years’ experience in competition law, covering both contentious and non-contentious areas of practice. She was a partner in the EU and Competition teams of S J Berwin LLP between 2002 and 2012, and Eversheds Sutherland LLP, between 2013 and 2022.

Notes to editors

1. Ordinary Members are selected for their expertise in law, business, accountancy, economics and other related fields.
2. Cases are heard before a Tribunal consisting of three members: either the President or a member of the panel of Chairmen and two Ordinary Members.
3. The new members are appointed for eight years and paid according to the amount of time that they spend working for the Tribunal based on a daily rate of £400. The appointments carry no right of pension, gratuity or allowance on their termination. The announced appointments will commence on 10 January 2024.
4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity to be made public. None of the new members are politically active.
5. Although these appointments do not come within the remit of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA), they have been made following OCPA best practice.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch is congratulating entrepreneurs, innovators and Department for Business and Trade staff who have been awarded for their extraordinary service to businesses, investment, exporting and UK economic growth.

Those honoured represent a diverse range of exceptional individuals who have championed a wide range of sectors across the UK economy at home and overseas.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

In 2023 we’ve signed ambitious trade deals, removed market access barriers, and supported British businesses to start up, scale up and grow.

These outstanding individuals embody the enterprising spirit found across the UK, from exporting original produce, to helping others grow their businesses. I congratulate them on their honours and look forward to seeing their leadership continue to deliver for the British people.

Business leaders and entrepreneurs recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours List:

Knights of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)

• John Griffin, Founder, Addison Lee. For services to Business and to Charity.
• Tim Martin, Founder and Chair, Wetherspoons. For services to Hospitality and to Culture.

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

• Kevin Ellis, Alliance Senior Partner, PwC UK and Middle East. For services to Economic Growth and Expanding Social Mobility.
• Paul Golding, Chair, Pinewood Group. For services to Business and to the UK Film Industry.
• Dr Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive Officer, BAE Systems. For services to International Trade and Skills Development.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

• Rachel Gaisburgh-Watkyn, Managing Director, Tiny Box Company. For services to Sustainability, to Ethical Business Growth and to Exports.
• Catherine McBride, Member, Trade and Agriculture Commission. For services to Economic Commentary and Trade Policy.
• Martin McTague, Low Pay Commissioner and National Chair, UK Federation of Small Businesses. For services to Small Businesses.
• Brian Palmer, Founder and Chief Executive, Tharsus Group Ltd. For services to Manufacturing and Skills.
• Munir Patel, Chief Executive Officer, XRAIL Group. For services to Rail Exports.
• Ashley Pigott, Chairman and Managing Director, AJ Power, Northern Ireland. For services to UK Exports and Manufacturing.

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Simon Ayers, Chief Executive Officer, TrustMark. For services to Consumer Protection.
• Kathy Caton, Founder and Managing Director, Brighton Gin. For services to Trade and to the community in Brighton.
• Rowan Crozier, Chief Executive Officer, C Brandauer & Co. For services to Manufacturing and Enterprise.
• Shalom Ijeoma Lloyd, Director, Naturally Tiwa Skincare. For services to International Trade and to Women in Business.
• John Norris, Chair, B&M Longworth (Edgworth) Ltd. For services to Innovation, to Sustainability and to International Trade.

Staff from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours List:

Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)

• Crawford Falconer, Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser and Second Permanent Secretary, Department for Business and Trade.

Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)

• Simon Penney, lately HM Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan and HM Consul General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

• Bidesh Sarkar, Chief Financial Officer, Department for Business and Trade.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

• Lukas May, lately Deputy Director, CPTPP, Department for Business and Trade.

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Sophie Dyer, lately Counsellor, British Embassy Tokyo, Japan.
• Elizabeth McCrory, Regional Lead, UK Export Finance.
• Phillip Potter, Regional Lead, UK Export Finance.

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Barbara Williams, Diary Manager, Department for Business and Trade.

Selected quotes from recipients:

1. Kevin Ellis – awarded a CBE for services to Economic Growth and Expanding Social Mobility

As Chairman and Senior Partner of PwC since 2016, Kevin has grown the company by more than a third to 30,211 people. Kevin has made a significant contribution to the growth of PwC and has driven PwC to become a leader on social mobility and inclusion. Believing that business has a vital role in solving society’s biggest issues, Kevin has invested in areas that matter most such as an Advanced Research Engineering Centre in Belfast, investing over £40m to support jobs and skills; and a Technology Hub in Manchester on track to create 1000 new jobs.

Kevin, Alliance Senior Partner at PwC UK and Middle East said:

I’m grateful to be recognised in this way. Throughout my almost four decades in the professional services sector, I’ve had the privilege to work with a vast range of businesses as well as the government, education and third sectors on initiatives that champion UK prosperity, social mobility, skills, and regional impact. This recognition inspires me further.

2. Munir Patel – awarded an OBE for services to Rail Exports

Munir has transformed XRAIL into a globally focused business, generating 80% of its turnover from exports. With Munir, XRAIL achieved a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2022 for outstanding achievement in international trade. He is credited with single handedly developing an export business in XRAIL and his determination to succeed resulted in the award of contracts against intense global competition. Munir is a shining example to rail businesses of what can be achieved taking a long term perspective, and proactively encouraging and supporting others to develop export capability.

Munir, Chief Executive Officer at XRAIL Group:

I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this OBE for international export. Our journey in global trade has been marked by resilience, innovation, and a shared vision for creating positive impact. Together, we’ve transcended borders, turning challenges into opportunities. This honour is not just an accolade for me but a celebration of collaboration, determination, and the power of fostering international relationships. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have been part of this remarkable journey. Thank you for this profound honour.

3. Catherine McBride – awarded an OBE for services to Economic Commentary and Trade Policy

As a member of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, Catherine is recognised as an expert in her field, specialising in economic and regulatory topics, global trade, farming standards, the environment, banking and macroeconomics. Catherine has provided world class advice to the Government in her role as TAC member and made a significant national impact through her commentary on UK trade policy post Brexit.

Catherine, Member of the Trade and Agriculture Commission said:

I am delighted to be included in His Majesty The King’s New Year’s honours List for my work promoting the UK’s potential to thrive as an independent trading nation and the benefits of trade for UK citizens and UK exporters.  I am very pleased that my efforts have been recognised by the Department for Business and Trade and rewarded in this way.

4. Shalom Ijeoma Lloyd – awarded an MBE for services to International Trade and Women in Business

As a qualified pharmacist, Shalom founded Naturally Tiwa Skincare in 2014 after creating a formulation using Shea butter to ease her son’s eczema. Her company creates vegan and cruelty free skincare products with natural ingredients from Africa. Shalom has made a real difference to the lives of women in Essan, employing up to 70 women in the area and establishing three cooperatives. Based in Milton Keynes, NTS has a turnover of £80,000 of which 10% is exports.

Shalom, Founder and Managing Director of Naturally Tiwa Skincare said:

It is a humbling feeling to be recognised in The King’s New Year Honours List 2024 and awarded an MBE for services to International Trade and Women in Business.  I am proud to be a Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Export Champion, hence being nominated for this honour by DBT makes it even more special. It is a tremendous privilege, and I am immensely proud to lead organisations that play positive roles in the lives of people globally. This honour is a reflection of the fantastic work of all my colleagues at Naturally Tiwa Skincare, Naturally Tribal Nigeria, eMQT and the JE Family.

5. Kathy Caton – awarded an MBE for services to Trade and the community in Brighton

Kathy is the founder and Managing Director of Brighton Gin. From humble beginnings back in 2012, her company has made huge strides and now employs seven full time staff as well as supporting an increasing supply chain. The business exports successfully to 7 markets, including Australia and North America with more in the pipeline. As a vocal supporter of the benefits of exporting, she is proactive and always passes on her knowledge and experience. Kathy is an important player in the development, innovation and growth of the gin sector which is now the UK’s 5th largest food and drink export.

Kathy, Founder and Managing Director of Brighton Gin said:

I am so incredibly surprised – and humbled – to have been nominated for the honour, particularly regarding the kind things that people have had to say about the role of Brighton Gin in the local community and about supporting and encouraging diversity in the workplace and all the amazing things that that can bring.