Member Article

North East Entrepreneur?s New Global UKTI Role

One of the region’s leading female business leaders is the latest entrepreneur to agree to work with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), and other parts of government, to promote UK excellence internationally.

Sara Davies, sales director at Country Durham-based crafts supply business Crafter’s Companion, has been invited by the Government to help inspire UK companies grow internationally. As part of her advocate new role, Sara will work with UKTI sharing her knowledge and insights of doing business by giving practical support and mentoring companies in the region and beyond to assist with their international growth strategies. In addition, she will support UKTI by speaking at various local, national and international business events.

UKTI is the Government department helping UK-based companies succeed in the global economy, one of its key aims is to work with more small and medium-sized enterprises to encourage them to export and support them until they are able to confidently trade overseas without assistance.

Recognised as one of the region’s best young entrepreneurs, Sara founded Crafter’s Companion from her bedroom whilst studying at university in 2005. Designing and manufacturing many of the products it distributes, the company employs around 40 staff across its two UK-based sites and an additional set-up in California.

Crispin Simon, managing director of UK Trade & Investment, said: “Sara is an ideal addition to the UKTI Catalyst group, which comprises influential business figures established in international markets who are supporters of the UK as a place to do business.

“We are delighted to welcome her on board given her track record of supporting other entrepreneurs and of course taking her brand overseas. UK businesses looking to take their first steps into international markets are likely to gain real practical advice from Sara and from UKTI.”

This is the latest honour for the 28-year old who was appointed as head of the board of directors at the Craft Hobby Association UK (CHA-UK) earlier this year, which looks after the interests of the booming British craft industry. Sara said: “I am very proud to be working for the UKTI and representing the interests of UK businesses. I am incredibly passionate about the export potential we have in the UK and my aim is to help as many companies as possible to realise their potential.

“We’ve learnt a huge amount from exporting and also setting up an operation in the US at Crafter’s Companion, so I hope by sharing my experiences I will be able to benefit other businesses in the UK.”

As part of her desire to nurture other businesses, Sara is also an angel investor with investment firm Gabriel Investors, which looks to support growing businesses at a time when traditional funding options are limited. She also helps mentor other entrepreneurs and growing businesses as part of a role with the Entrepreneurs Forum.

A former Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner at the National Business Awards, Sara is a very well-known face in the crafting sector as she regularly features for Crafter’s Companion on TV shopping channels in the UK, US, Canada and across Europe. The company opened a new warehouse facility in County Durham earlier this year to support the increasing demand for its craft supplies, craft CDs and tools for card making and scrapbooking.

For further information, visit www.crafterscompanion.co.uk, http://www.ukti.gov.uk and www.cha-uk.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jodie Balmer .