The event aims to bring together businesses from various sectors engaged in, or looking to start, international trading. These meetings have consistently proven to be highly beneficial, offering attendees the chance to network, share concerns, and discuss successes in global trade.
We are pleased to confirm that the next International Trade Round Table Discussion will take place on 15th October at Astral Towers. We are returning to this venue due to its central location, ample parking, and excellent public transport links.
The event aims to bring together businesses from various sectors engaged in, or looking to start, international trading. These meetings have consistently proven to be highly beneficial, offering attendees the chance to network, share concerns, and discuss successes in global trade.
Our CEO, Ana Christie, will be hosting the event. We are excited to welcome Rob Lewtas, Strategic Partnerships Manager at the Department for Business and Trade, as a speaker, alongside Lisa Maddison-Brown, Export Finance Manager at UK Export Finance Ltd. Additionally, we hope to have a representative from the British Chamber of Commerce and a local DBT Export Champion joining us.
UK Export Finance Manager for Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex, UK Export Finance
CEO, Sussex Chamber of Commerce
Ana Christie is CEO of Sussex Chamber of Commerce supporting and campaigning for the business community.
Ana’s extensive business experience both in the UK and internationally, began in aviation, hospitality, then hotel project development. Previously she managed the London Aquarium, a major attraction, before relocating to the Philippines as Executive Vice President of an HR recruitment consultancy and subsequently locating to the British Deputy High Commission in India. Back in the UK, Ana joined a pharmaceutical company overseeing the project management of global clinical trials.
Ana joined the Sussex Chamber of Commerce in 2014 as Chief Executive and has since grown and developed the business membership organisation through the services provided to support business economic growth and performance in the area. She campaigns on key issues through the British Chambers who represent the national and global interests of business in government.
Ana is also an experienced in Martial Arts and in her spare time is a Karate instructor.
Head of Strategy, Posh Totty Designs
Posh Totty Designs, celebrating twenty years of crafting personalised jewellery and keepsakes, operates from one of the largest workshops on the South Coast in Brighton. We proudly sell directly to consumers through our website and platforms like Next, Etsy, and Wolf & Badger, as well as in our shops located in Brighton and Islington. As Head of Strategy, I collaborate closely with our senior leadership team and CEO Alice Cripps to enhance our operations and explore future growth opportunities. My current initiatives range from transitioning our online platform to Shopify for a seamless omnichannel experience to planning our expansion into the U.S. market.
Strategic Partner Manager, Department for Business & Trade
Rob specialises in international business development and marketing with experience across both public and private sectors. Rob spent most of his career in the IT & Communications industry, most recently providing corporate networking solutions to global clients.
Rob's role in the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) is to work with UK based FTSE 250 companies and hi-growth SMEs to develop new opportunities and to win business with overseas customers. Rob's particular specialism is identifying and securing hi-value procurement contracts and accessing large scale investment programmes in complex markets.UK Export Finance Manager for Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex, UK Export Finance
Lisa joined UK Export Finance 5 years ago following a 30-year career in the Banking sector. During this time, she spent 10 years as an International Trade Manager supporting SME sized businesses. She specialises in helping companies realise their export opportunities and having worked and lived in the area for over 35 years has a strong understanding of the region’s businesses and their needs.