Digital firm gains major interest through Department for International Trade mission

A Durham-based digital firm specialising in bespoke websites is aiming to break into foreign markets, with support from regional export experts.

Discovery Design has secured much interest in its services from Ireland following a Department for International Trade mission to Dublin.

Managing director, James Addison, signed up for the visit to the Irish capital at the end of 2017. Support from the DIT was ‘invaluable’ in creating a soft landing in the city, as well as securing time in front of potential clients.

He said: “Not only did the DIT help set up meetings with a string of businesses in Dublin, it also provided valuable guidance on how to do business in the country and insight on the companies we met with.

“It was a fairly intensive three days of meetings, presentations and events, but well worth it. In fact, I even managed to make some really good contacts within the group that travelled out to Dublin from the North East – businesses that we never would have made contact with were it not for the DIT.”

The Dublin Trade Mission was one of a string of overseas visits organised by the DIT in 2017, and funded by the ERDF programme, with more planned for 2018 to locations including Australia.

With ERDF funding, administered by the Department for International Trade, subsidising James’ trip, it meant that his only commitment to the trade mission was time.

James added: “Our aim is to move into exports, primarily targeting English-speaking countries, so Ireland offered us the perfect opportunity to test the water on demand and desire for our products, and thankfully there was quite a lot.”

With almost 20 years of web design and marketing expertise, Discovery Design provides tailored website design, high search engine rankings, and marketing support.

North East England Chamber of Commerce international trade director, Julie Underwood, also said: “Discovery Design has forged an excellent reputation in a highly competitive industry and exporting its services is the next logical step for such an exciting business.”