Sussex Chamber International Trade Forum

Ana Christie

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.

Lisa Maddison-Brown

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.

Mr Richard Oppenheim

Director , Diplomatic Advisory Hub

Richard Oppenheim is Director of the Diplomatic Advisory Hub, a joint initiative between the FCDO and the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC). Housed at the BCC Headquarters in London, the Hub provides trusted, actionable FCDO geopolitical insight to businesses across the UK in support of the UK government’s growth mission. The Hub works closely with FCDO, DBT, wider government partners and the BCC network to deliver enhanced support to all UK businesses who are looking to engage internationally.  

Richard brings with him a wealth of diplomatic experience across some of the world’s most complex and strategically important markets in the Middle East, and Japan. He also brings multilateral experience at the UN, on EU issues and as Commonwealth Envoy. Richard has served as the UK’s Ambassador to Yemen, as Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and held diplomatic appointments in Iraq, Oman, New York and Japan. This broad experience– from high-risk markets to energy markets and advanced industrial economies – means Richard brings the insight, networks, and resilience to support UK businesses in accessing the FCDO’s geopolitical advice and expertise and in navigating complex environments.