'Access Australia'- The Next Big Market for British SMEs

The Chamber is delighted to invite you to ‘Access Australia’ – an evening briefing and reception at Australia House in London to advise SMEs on how to export, enter and expand to Australia.

With the advent of Brexit, the UK will unlock new trading opportunities across the globe. Approximately 10% of British SMEs currently export globally beyond the EU and businesses are increasingly casting their gaze to Australia, which holds the world record for the longest period of uninterrupted economic growth. Australia is the fifth most popular market for the UK’s future export ambitions with 37% of British SMEs identifying Australia as a key market in their export plans over the next three years (FSB 2019).

Australia is the next big market for the UK as demonstrated by recently announced initiatives including the UK-Australia FinTech Bridge, the UK-Australia Space Bridge and a likely Free Trade Agreement between the two countries following Brexit. With strong existing business, cultural, regulatory and people-to-people links, now is the time for British business to look Down Under.

Join the Australia-UK Chamber, in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Exporters Association, for ‘Access Australia’ at Australia House on the evening of Wednesday 27th November to hear from our speakers, including: Pranav Sood, VP of International Expansion for GoCardless, Tom Crombie, Director and Founder of My Online Schooling, Chris Walker, CEO of Diamond Hard Surfaces, David Watson, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Austrade and Mike Cherry OBE, Chairman of the FSB who will share their views on:

Key market opportunities in Australia
Experiences from other companies who have entered the market
How to build your network, brand and customer base in Australia
The checklist you’ll need before entering the market
How to avoid common mistakes, risks and oversights
How your business can scale and succeed in Australia

Mike Cherry OBE, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses

Mike Cherry has been an active FSB member for more than twenty years and was elected National Chairman of FSB in March 2016. He chairs the Board of Directors as well as the General Meetings of the membership of FSB and is responsible for the management of all aspects of the organisation. He is committed to ensuring the voice of small firms is heard at the highest levels and regularly meets with the Prime Minister and Business Secretary.

In his previous FSB roles of National Policy Chairman and Policy Director, Mike enjoyed enormous success leading FSB’s campaigning and parliamentary programme for almost a decade. His leadership helped FSB achieve an unprecedented number of victories in making the voice small businesses heard within Government, and has helped make FSB a key representative within Government for small businesses across the UK.

Mr David Watson, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade

David commenced his role as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner in December 2016. David has extensive experience in the commercial world, initially as a commercial lawyer with a leading Australian law firm and more recently as a senior executive at Mars Inc in London, Dubai and Washington DC.

In those roles David was actively involved in major investment decisions and he understands the trade and investment needs of a multi-national company. In his legal career, David was a partner at a leading Australian law firm, Minter Ellison, in the firm’s New York and Sydney offices, where he specialised in cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

David’s board experience includes roles as a non-executive director at Serco Asia Pacific, a Director of Mars Superannuation, Chairman of Mars Australia, and as a Director of the Australian Food and Grocery Council.

Pranav Sood, VP International Expansion, GoCardless

Pranav Sood is VP International Expansion at GoCardless and is responsible for driving GoCardless' global growth.

Pranav leads GoCardless' businesses across Australia and New Zealand, European growth markets and Major Accounts. Until recently, Pranav also ran Business Operations & Strategy at GoCardless and led the recent $75M fundraise, as well as all aspects of investor engagement and company strategy.

Pranav started his career at Bain & Company.

Tom Crombie, Director and Founder, My Online Schooling

Tom is the Director and Founder of My Online Schooling - an online education platform that provides the English National Curriculum, iGCSE and A-level qualifications to children of all ages.

Tom oversees the school's operations and curricula as well its growth and development in the UK and in Australia. Tom has built expertise across education systems in the UK, New Zealand and Uganda including state, private schools and in the special educational needs sector. Tom studied at the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh and decided to estalblish My Online Schooling to improve access to educational possibilities for all children.

Chris Walker, FSB International Trade Committee Chair & CEO of Diamond Hard Surfaces

Chris is CEO of Diamond Hard Surfaces and Chair of the FSB International Trade Committee, responsible for FSB’s strategy and direction regarding all trade issue affecting FSB members.

Diamond Hard Surfaces Ltd is a materials technology company and solution provider with high endurance applications of a unique amorphous diamond material, Adm™, which gives extended life in high temperature, chemically aggressive and abrasive environments.

Chris studied Engineering at Cardiff University before starting his career in the Aerospace industry with GEC Marconi. He is an experienced International Manager, having worked throughout Europe, the Middle East and South America, building new businesses in technology, managing acquisitions and setting up sales and marketing operations.

More speakers to be announced soon!

With thanks to our Sponsors

and our Partners

FSB

Terms and conditions

By registering to attend this event, guests agree to share their information with the Australia-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce and third-party event partners. This information will be used by the Chamber for event communication purposes including event reminders and post-event follow ups where registered, to provide information on upcoming events, updates on the Chamber and its network, and to reach out with membership details and offers. Registrants will be able to opt in or opt out of these communications by progressing to the ticket purchasing screen.

Cancellation and refund policy

Only guests registered will be admitted. The Australia-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to cancel or postpone an event to an alternative date. All registered participants affected by such a cancellation or postponement will be offered a full refund of the ticket price paid. No refunds will be issued for non-attendance at the event or for guest cancellations. A replacement guest is permitted by emailing invitations@australianchamber.co.uk up to 48 hours prior to the event.

Access Australia - The Next Big Market for British SMEs