Looking for export support?

Scunthorpe entrepreneur Sharon Wright shot to fame after appearing on the BBC programme Dragons’ Den. She was offered more venture capital than she hoped for and, after building her market here in the UK, is now getting help from UKTI to succeed and grow overseas.

What is UKTI?

UKTI stands for UK Trade & Investment, the Government organisation responsible for marketing the UK overseas, promoting British exports, and attracting inward investment. It employs around 2,300 staff worldwide.

Who is Sharon Wright?

A 39-year-old single mum, Sharon (from Scunthorpe) wowed all 5 investors when she appeared on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den—and walked away with more cash than she’d asked for. Duncan Bannatyne and James Caan each invested £40,000 for a combined 22.5% stake of her Talpa Products business, which makes the MagnaMole. (The product is a magnetic cable-guiding kit which provides a simple solution to the problem of threading cables and wires through cavity walls and voids, while saving time, money and accidents.)

How is UKTI helping Sharon’s business take off?

UKTI is helping Sharon to maximise her Dragons’ investment by tapping into the lucrative export market. Having achieved a massive increase in brand awareness and product sales at home, Sharon’s goal now is to expand overseas and realise the full potential of a product with universal appeal. She is especially keen to work with UKTI to explore opportunities in Europe, using the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) to gain a footing and establish valuable contacts. A UKTI trade advisor is working hand-in-hand with Sharon to drive her overseas growth.

What can UKTI offer YOUR business?

UKTI can help you rise to the exciting opportunities and challenges offered by globalisation. It works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets, and also encourages the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.

Is there specific export help for our region?

Yes—TradeYorkshire  is your source of information for international trade in Yorkshire & Humber. They offer invaluable advice on a wide range of regional and national trade initiatives, including:

Want to know more?

Visit TradeYorkshire and ask a trade advisor to get in touch.