New Scottish Export Champions announced to help international trade

New Scottish Export Champions announced to help international trade

A second round of Export Champions has been announced, to encourage Scottish businesses to trade internationally. 

Thirteen winners were selected by the Department for Business and Trade and Scottish Development International for their expertise in sectors ranging from life sciences to hydrogen energy.

The scheme launched last October, with first-round appointees taking part in around 80 engagements, including the US Trade Dialogue panel where they showcased the opportunities open for Scottish FinTech companies in North American markets. 

UK Government Minister for Scotland and Exports Lord Malcolm Offord said: “With our current Export Champions having made such an excellent start, we were keen to grow our team here in Scotland to ensure that we were doing all we could to help companies start their export journey.

“Our new, larger team now cover an even broader range of sectors, and I look forward to them sharing their success stories of selling abroad and encouraging other Scottish businesses to start doing the same.” 

The new Champions include Natalya Ratner, marketing director at Robotical Ltd. Based in Leith, the tech company developed a robot to help teach coding in schools. The device has now been sold to over 100 schools across 65 countries. 

She said:  “Exporting has made a huge difference to our company. Although we are very much a Scottish company, we were international from the start as it was the best area for growth.”

Other winners include Naysun Alae-Carew, who is managing director of Glasgow-based Blazing Griffin, which specialises in video production and post-production services as well as Sharon Fitzgerald, a partner at law firm DLA Piper, which recently worked on the Queensferry Crossing project.

Talking on her appointment, Alae-Carew, said: “We are staunch believers that Scotland has the potential to excel on the world stage without sacrificing its focus on domestic capabilities.

“It's a great time to be part of a nation that is outward facing, yet deeply committed to local development."

Like their predecessors, new Export Champions will attend events and support other businesses in the sector. 

Former Champions include Federico Charosky, CEO of Quorum Cyber which offers cyber-security services to over 150 companies worldwide. Alistair Walker head of international sales at Walker's Shortbread is also a former Champion.