PRESENTERS

Caroline Theobald CBE, FIRST
 

Caroline Theobald CBE is the co-founder and chair of FIRST a learning and skills development agency that has innovated in purpose and practice to respond to the COVID pandemic.  The company provides accredited enterprise courses for young people and early stage business founders so they can equip themselves better for the changing nature of work. FIRST also offers a ‘beacon of hope and growth’ through Startup North East, the north east region’s only dedicated startup competition.  

Caroline’s non-executive roles are focused on contributing to a vibrant and sustainable regional economy in the north of England.  She is a founding director of the North East Initiative on Business Ethics (NIBE) and Teesside’s Power of Women campaign. As chair of the Advisory Board to Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, she is working with the executive on a new strategy for the School to become a force for good; and in the Tees Valley she has been involved in gathering community evidence for the UK2070 Commission’s Teesside Task Force as an associate of Teesside University.  She is also an Ambassador for the Open North Foundation.  Over the past 14 years she has served as an honorary diplomat to the Swedish Government and as the north east region Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s chapter chair through which she promotes the north east region as an inward investment destination for Swedish companies.  

Caroline is an active member of the Tees  Valley Business Club, an honorary member of The Infant Hercules initiative at Tees Philanthropic and a member of The Extol Multi-Academy Trust

Caroline was awarded a CBE for services to business and entrepreneurship in 2016 and is a lifelong holder of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion

Jason Knights, Blue Kangaroo
 

Gateshead company Blue Kangaroo is a brand strategy agency working predominantly in character licencing and the toy industry. The company works with some of the biggest names in the industry, including National Geographic, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Studios and Lucas Film.

They are strategic, creative thinkers, designers and illustrators, and have clients across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America and across Asia Pacific.

In the last eight years, Blue Kangaroo have seen a huge export growth with over 70% of its services now being sold overseas. In 2021, the company aims to grow business further within North America.

As well as being a Northern Powerhouse Export Champion, Jason Knights is one of the inaugural Board of Trade Winners. His advice to new exporters is “Don’t be afraid to dip your toe in the water. Exporting is a fantastic way to grow your business.”

Bill Scott OBE, Wilton Engineering
 

Wilton Engineering builds large, complicated structures for the offshore oil & gas, marine, offshore wind renewables and the defence industries. It currently has around 200 employees and has been exporting for over 20 years. Located next to the River Tees, the company has a 54 acre offshore construction facility with its own blasting, coating and loadout capabilities to produce high quality fabrications.

Currently, Wilton Engineering exports a large proportion of its products, although the figure can fluctuate depending on which sector the company is working with.

The top tip from Chief Executive, Dr Bill Scott OBE is for new exporters to carry out significant due diligence on all the countries and companies you intend to work with and utilise the expertise that is available from organisations such as DIT and UK Export Finance.

Ian Dell, Chemain Technology
 

Chemian was established in 1996 by Managing Director, Ian Dell with the aim of bringing in-depth knowledge, expertise and innovation to manufacturing and supply within the chemical pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Activities span three core areas; contract manufacturing; raw material sourcing
and own-product innovation. Chemian Technology, based in Darlington, is best known for its Citrepel range of naturally based insect repellent active ingredients. They developed the product and now manufacture and supply it to their growing list of customers across the world.

The company has grown between 20 – 30% annually over the past 5 years after targeting a range of European and South East Asian countries and it is now looking to enter the USA.

Ian Dell, Managing Director says “Exporting has always been of fundamental importance to Chemian Technology, particularly since the development of Citrepel. Most of our turnover comes from overseas sales and we now sell to over 30 countries worldwide.”

Lesley Moody, AES Digital Solutions
 

AES Digital Solutions Ltd, based in Teesside has been in business nearly 30 years. The company develops bespoke software, online solutions / apps for customers along with a range of on-line scalable and configurable business tools. Products are designed and developed in-house and they provide hosting and on-going support along with IT and systems consultancy.

AES have been exporting for over 16 years – their first export market was Asia Pacific, more recently they have traded in North America and Europe where export sales represented approximately 30% of turnover, with North America being the main market.

Export Champion Lesley Moody MBE says, “Don’t let size be an issue – even the smallest of companies can become exporters. Whatever you size or sector, researching potential markets is always important and the process can be made easy if you make use of the help, support and advice of your local DIT International Trade Advisor. Even after many years exporting we still work with ours regularly and have always found they have a wealth of knowledge that they’re willing to share and a network of colleagues covering all sectors.”

Fabienne Bailey, One Awards

One Awards are a member of the NOCN Group offering NOCN regulated qualifications, apprenticeships and end point assessments. Access to HE Diplomas, bespoke accreditation and quality assurance services for colleges, training providers, local authorities, employers and other organisations that support individuals to succeed through learning since 1994.

NOCN Group works with organisations in Africa, Europe, India, South East Asia, the Middle East, Turkey and the USA. One Awards began their exporting journey in 2018 and they currently work with organisations in Europe, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Fabienne Bailey joined One Awards in 2018 with over 20 years’ experience in the education, training and skills sector along with 14 years’ senior management experience. She is passionate about lifelong learning both in the UK and globally and the positive impact adult learning can have on changing lives.