Member Article

New UKTI chief executive visits North East businesses

The new chief executive of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Dominic Jermey, has issued a clear message to North East firms on his first visit to the region since taking up his post in June.

He stressed there would be an increased emphasis on more collaboration across government and with the private sector in a bid to ensure the Government’s ambitious targets for increased exports and Foreign Direct Investment are met.

Dominic moved to his new role from the UAE, where he was British Ambassador for four years. He was previously managing director of UKTI’s Sectors Group for three years, helping 11,000 of the UK’s most innovative companies to do business around the world, and was acting chief executive for UKTI in 2009.

He began his career in corporate finance with a British investment bank and joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1993.

Speaking during his visit to the region, he said: “The Government has set an ambitious target to double exports to £1 trillion, and to double foreign direct investment (FDI) in the UK to £1.5 trillion - all by 2020.

“This is no mean feat. Getting there will need the energy and creativity of all of us, it will need different ways of working between ourselves and our partners - both in government and within the business community.

“And the North East has an enormous part to play. There are already many outstanding examples of North East firms of all sizes that have taken the leap and found new markets overseas.

“Latest statistics show more than £11.7 billion worth of goods were exported from the region in the 12 months up to the end of March 2014 while there have been 54 inward investment projects creating or safeguarding more than 2,500 jobs.

“There’s no doubt that many companies in the North East are doing phenomenally well, however, there is still more to do. That’s why I’ve been in the region to meet UKTI’s team here, our local partners and companies to find out what they’re doing and how we can work together better to inspire and support others to take up the export for growth challenge.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .