THE first ever export conference dedicated to Herefordshire exporting companies, took place at the Leadership Trust on Friday. Among the luminaries there were Anthony Fry, Chairman of the Premier League, Crispin Simon, Managing Director of UK Trade and Investment, and our own MP Jesse Norman. There was a healthy showing of local representation from, among others, Haigh Engineering, Muddy Boots, Morris Bricknell, Rehau, and Little Dewchurch-based Bespoke Handling, run by brothers, Jeremy and Fabien Daffern. Their niche and specialised business takes them, and their customers precious cars, all over the world.

'Britain's trade performance is crucial," said Linda Smith, Head of International Trade/UKTI Herefordshire and Worcestershire. "Business investment and exports will be central to the story of the future growth, hence the need to hold more export focused events locally to expose increasing numbers of small and medium sized businesses to the opportunities of global trade."

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.