Our LEP is honoured for work in helping businesses to export
Enterprise M3 Chief Executive and ‘Export Champion’ Kathy Slack is attending the launch of a major initiative to ramp up exports across the South East. Tomorrow’s launch (March 22) of the South East Export Champion community is led by the Department for International Trade. Kathy is one of 20 South East England Export Champions and her specialist field will be business support. She said: “We’re strengthening the local economy by helping businesses in the M3 corridor export their products and services overseas. Join us or contact us to find out how we can help your business grow.” Enterprise M3 has long been a supporter of helping businesses to export, in partnership with the DTI, and the new community will accelerate this work. The South East launch follows the national launch earlier this year. Click here for details. Kathy has been the Chief Executive at Enterprise M3 LEP for the past 7 years. Covering West Surrey and North Hampshire, EM3is a globally competitive region, unique for its knowledge, digital and design-based economy. She was previously at the South East England Development Agency, supporting marine businesses and key gateway ports. Enterprise M3's priorities are: I. Innovation: The area is rich in innovation with The 5G Innovation Centre centred in EM3. We also have the UK’s most significant cluster of internationally significant defence and aerospace companies, including BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Boeing Defence, Lockheed Martin UK, and Airbus Defence and Space as well as the largest cluster of games companies outside London, including EA Games, Hello Games, Criterion, and Figment Productions. II. Export: EM3 has a focus on helping business to export, aligned with our EM3 Growth Hub and Finance SE, who manage our expansion and equity funds. We run Brexit clinics to help business plan for Brexit with a particular emphasis on trade. Kathy said: "My top tip to any business considering exporting is to ‘just ask” – sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But there is plenty of help and advice to get you started. I love my job. Every day I learn a little more about what makes a place tick and the important part played by business big and small."
