Export scheme secures funding boost

A regional business support scheme aimed at helping firms sell overseas has unlocked fresh funding following strong early demand.

David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, has launched the third round of the Get Exporting programme, taking total funding available through the scheme to £900,000.

Businesses can now apply for grants ranging from £3000 to £10,000 to support international trade activity and overseas expansion.

Around 70 companies have already benefited from earlier rounds, helping businesses explore opportunities across North America, Europe and Asia.

Recipients include Thirsk-based specialist furniture and kitchen manufacturer Treske, which used funding to support a trade mission to Asia, as well as Whitby coffee and tea merchant HR Higgins, which secured backing to grow sales in Japan.

Justin Bartlett, managing director at Treske, said: “At Treske we design and build quality furniture for domestic and church customers. 

“We recently completed making the seating and specially designed altar, lectern and font for a new church - St Peter’s Seafarers’ Church in Hong Kong. 

“The grant to help us to attend the opening, where we were able to showcase our work with churches from all over Hong Kong, the archbishop of Hong Kong and his bishops, as well as clergy from all over the world.  

“Everyone there now knows that we can make something special and visually spectacular.  

“While I was there I was able to spend time networking with and visiting other potential Hong Kong projects.”

Martin Burke, managing director at HR Higgins, added: “From meetings at the British Embassy to the floor of FOODEX, our time in Japan was eye-opening. 

“We saw hundreds of people queuing from the early hours just to access British products at the major department store.  

“The reception was so enthusiastic because of our British heritage and connection to the Royal family that we were actually autographing packs of tea and coffee.  

“It’s clear that Japan has a deep appreciation for British luxury brands with a story, and the potential for growth there is enormous." 

Award-winning York based film production company Labor of Love Films, which specialises in cinematic feature documentaries and scripted projects, also tapped into the Get Exporting fund.

Margareta Szabo, producer at Labor of Love Films, added: “This support enabled us to take our latest feature documentary to the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam marketplace, where the film gained significant momentum.

“Through this activity, we secured an international sales agent, distributor, and overseas sales, while also building new relationships and future project opportunities, helping expand both the reach of the film and the global profile of our company.”

The latest funding round includes £265,000 in available grants, with applications open until June 30.

A previous pilot generated more than £15 million in sales from £200,000 of grant funding.

By increasing investment to £900,000, officials estimate the programme could help generate more than £65 million in international trade for businesses across York and North Yorkshire.

Mayor Skaith added: “We’re already seeing some really positive results through my Get Exporting programme, but we know we can go even further.

“That’s why we’re backing ambition and increasing the size of our grant support, so it’s now four times the size of our pilot.

“I’m excited to see more of our businesses grasp these global opportunities and continue the momentum we’re building across the region.”

For more information and to access the programme’s prospectus, click here.

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