OWIT UK

International Trade: Update on the E-commerce Moratorium
2024-02-19 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Zoom
Join us for a lunchtime update on what matters in Digital trade for development, including the WTO e-commerce moratorium.
We are delighted to welcome Mr. Torbjörn Fredriksson, who heads the E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch at the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Branch’s work covers the Digital Economy Report, the eTrade for all initiative, eTrade for Women, the E-commerce Week, various capacity-building activities, and the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy. Mr Fredriksson joined the UN in 2000. Before joining UNCTAD, he held positions at the Invest in Sweden Agency and the Swedish Ministry of Industry and Commerce. He has an MSc in International Economics from the Stockholm School of Economics.
This is a timely update, on the eve of MC13, when the ecommerce moratorium will once again be up for discussion on its extension.
Come prepared with questions, join in the conversation and network with other OWIT members and guests.

Click here to Register

OWIT UK TRADETALKS 2024
2024-01-16 17:30 - 18:30 UTC | Zoom
This is a member-only event.
Every other month, OWIT UK members can join us for an informal chat and networking after work at 5.30PM.
The event is currently held online, to have as many members attend as possible. In future, we may hold a hybrid version so that we can meet physically too.
This month, our first event for the year will be on Tuesday 16th January 2024.
This is a regular date, so mark them in your calendar for the rest of the year- the second Tuesday of every other month. It is our chance to spotlight members, find out what we do, and plan programmes that are of interest to us.
Register here to receive the link which will be shared by email before the event.
Contact us by email if you have not received it at least a day before the event at admin@owituk.org.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

OWIT UK AND NATWEST: GOING GLOBAL - ONE YEAR ON
2023-11-28 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
OWIT UK, together with NATWEST is hosting Going Global: One Year On, an online event on Tuesday 28th November 2023.
Online Room: Open from 13.50PM
Event Duration: 2.00PM to 3.30PM
A thought leadership online event that is a follow-up on our flagship event held last year, and looks at a year of activity in international trade.
Join us for a highly informative and insightful, packed afternoon, with two sessions discussing the current climate and progress on international trade, as well as a chance to interrogate the experts and find out how to access international trade resources and support.
The first session is a fireside chat with OWIT UK and International Energy Products Limited.
This is followed by a roundtable discussion with guest speakers from the Export Academy, the Department of Business and Trade, Export Finance and Trade Finance Global.
Attendance is complimentary and the audience will include women traders, female entrepreneurs and stakeholders from across OWIT UK and OWIT International, NATWEST, business support organisations and other women in trade networks.
Please register for virtual participation. If you require support to access our event, please email Admin@owituk.org.
Our Speakers
Fireside Chat

Helene Martin Gee
OWIT UK Chair, Advisory Board.
President, Savvitas

Emma Parkinson
CEO/Owner,
International Energy Products
Roundtable Speakers

Liz Bennington

Director for International Trade and Investment,
North of England.
Department for Business and Trade

Marie Hall
Regional Head, Export Finance Managers Midlands, Wales & South West.
Department for Business and Trade
Roundtable Moderator

Deepesh Patel
Editor-in-Chief,
Trade Finance Global

REGISTER

OWIT UK TRADETALKS
2023-11-14 17:30 - 18:30 UTC
This is a member-only event.
Every other month, OWIT UK members can join us for an informal chat and networking after work at 5.30PM.
The event is online, to have as many members attend as possible. In future, we may hold a hybrid version so that we can meet physically too.
Our first one will be on Tuesday 14th November. We see this being a regular date, so mark them in your calendar – the second Tuesday of every other month. It is our chance to spotlight members, find out what we do, and plan programmes that are of interest to us.
Register here to receive the link.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

In Partnership with EXPORT: Export Opportunities for Women-Led SMEs
2023-11-03 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom
Global Opportunities for Women Led Businesses
Calling all women-led businesses! 🙋‍♀️
OWIT UK are partnering with the UK Export Academy to deliver a free webinar to support women in business to make the most of opportunities overseas 🌍
Taking place in collaboration with Barclays & Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT UK), President Noreen Burroughes Cesareo FRSA with members Holly Piggott and Divya Rajan will be part of this session which will cover:
👉Opportunities and trade arrangements for women-led businesses globally👉Access to funding, programmes and networks👉Department for Business and Trade and wider government support
Taking place on 3 November from 3-4pm, sign up for free 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dWQWVNsq
#womeninbusiness #madeintheuk #exportacademy
Exclusive event for women-led SMEs to explore growing opportunities across the globe in a partnership with the UK Chapter of the Organisation of Women in International Trade.
International Trade has become more inclusive over the past few decades with an increasing participation from women-led SMEs. Across the globe, landmark policies and trade arrangements have contributed to a more favourable environment for women to expand their businesses overseas. However, women-led SMEs are still substantially less likely to sell their products and services internationally than those led by men, including in the UK. It is time to turn the dial, and the UK Export Academy is here to help!
This webinar is brought to you in a partnership with Barclays and the UK Chapter of the Organisation of Women in International Trade to let you know of the many tools and programmes women-led SMEs can benefit from, including access to funding. You will also be hearing from two successful women-led exporting businesses about their journey and recommendations.
Speakers
Noreen Burroughes Cesareo
International Trade, Strategic Marketing and Communications specialist, The Organisation of Women in International Trade in the UK
Noreen is an International Trade, Strategic Marketing and Communications specialist with an international private enterprise and entrepreneurial background.
She is also the principal consultant of a UK-based international advisory firm she set up in 2007, called Market Accents. This WEConnect-certified consultancy has served as a platform for her to engage with clients on projects of varying sizes, at times working in collaborative partnerships with other SMEs and larger organisations to tender for projects within supply chains or to seek to open market opportunities.
Divya Rajan
Director, Treeco Commodities
Divya has a degree in BSc and MBA specialising in Finance & International Trade. She has also achieved AAT.
Treeco Commodities is an agri-business firm mainly focusing on trading and processing of Cashew Nuts and Spices. The promoters have more than 30 years of experience in Cashew Industry. Treeco is one of the leading players in the UK for all kind of Cashew Kernels, exporting to Spain, Norway, Germany, France, Turkey, Israel, Algeria, Morocco, Chile etc.
Holly Piggott
Director, Alinea Customs
Holly Piggott is director of Alinea Customs – a UK customs brokerage. Alinea Customs provide import and export clearance at ports across the UK, and have in-house legal expertise, providing consultancy support across all areas of customs and border related activities.
Holly Piggott is currently studying an LLM in International Corporate and Commercial Law at King’s College. She has a distinction grade diploma in Advanced Customs Compliance, and assists clients on a day-to-day basis in understanding areas such as Incoterms, tariff classification, and rules of origin.
Paul Bowman
Vertical Head of International, Barclays Business
Paul’s role is to support colleagues and SMEs to explore international trade, by providing insight and education and to confirm that whilst international trade may be complex, it need not be difficult.
He has held roles as diverse as relationship director, national performance manager and CEO support, and has hosted events and webinars focused upon growing through trade. With over 30 years’ experience within the banking industry, he is a keen ally of those looking to broaden access to the opportunities available through overseas trade and activity.
Keirra Smith
Deputy Director, Department for Business and Trade
Keirra is a Deputy Director in English Regions managing Programmes (The UK Export Academy and the Export Champions) and Insight & Operations Teams. While Keirra is a long-term civil servant, this is her first gig working for the UK Civil Service. She is even having a go at being British these days, having officially immigrated in 2022.
Having worked for the Victorian, New South Wales and Australian governments, Keirra moved to the UK eights years ago as the New South Wales (NSW) Trade and Investment Commissioner to the UK and Europe, however, she gave this up when the Australians told her it was time to come home. Keirra’s focus now is to helping to build export capability across all parts of the UK.
Irina Shmakova
UK Export Academy Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Irina has worked in the private and public sectors, both in the UK and overseas. She has helped businesses of all sizes to develop their sales overseas, working across multiple sectors and markets.
With a particular interest in international market research, international communications and cultural awareness, Irina has led delegations of UK businesses on market visits and trade missions organised by Chambers of Commerce and DBT

REGISTER HERE

Digitalisation and International Trade: What’s Changing and How To Get Ready
2023-10-17 16:00 - 17:30 UTC | Zoom
Join us for an insightful online webinar that explores the evolving landscape of international trade in the digital age.
We will delve into the advancements, challenges, and opportunities presented by the digitalization of cross-border trade, with a special focus on the newly enacted Electronic Trade Documents Act (ETDA) of July 2023.
During this interactive webinar we will explore:

How advancement in the digitalisation of cross-border trade is bringing benefits for all
The key and current challenges around digitalisation of international trade from a practical perspective
The implications of the latest digital bill ETDA – Electronic Trade Documents Act, July 2023, on your business, market places and manufacturing
Where and how you can prepare your business for the new ways of trading and what’s next

We are delighted to have with us two guests during this session
– The respected international trade consultant and thought leader in strategic trade – Dr Rebecca Harding.

Dr. Rebecca Harding is a Senior Fellow of the British Foreign Policy Group and an independent trade economist, public speaker and sustainable trade and supply chain specialist. In 2022 she was awarded the “Net Zero Entrepreneur of the Year” at the annual Scale Up Group’s Enterprise Awards event.
She has built three data-based technology businesses in the trade and sustainability space and held senior positions at Deloitte, London Business School, the Work Foundation, and UK Finance, where she was Chief Economist. She acted as Specialist Adviser to the Treasury Select Committee and advised the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Entrepreneurship. She has acted as a trade finance and supply chains expert witness, is a member of the World Trade Board, the ITFA’s ESG Committee and the ICC’s sustainable trade finance technology sub-committee. Between 2004 and 2018 she was a Director and Trustee of the German-British Forum.
Her co-authored books, “The Weaponization of Trade: the Great Unbalancing of Policy and Economics” and “Gaming Trade: Win-Win Strategies for the Digital Era” have defined the trade-based nature of modern conflict. She provided the business case for the adoption into UK law the framework to enable digital trade; her work on the “regulatory paradox” of current sustainability reporting requirements has catalysed the establishment of the ITFA’s cross-industry Audit Council to set sustainability reporting and audit standards. She has authored 8 other books on the German economy, global innovation policy, and SME financing and Venture Capital. Her high media profile includes frequent appearances on BBC Television and Radio, Sky News, CNBC, and Times Radio, as well as citations in the broadsheet media. Rebecca launched her boutique consulting firm Rebeccanomics, following the sales of Coriolis Technologies, which she founded in 2017.
Emmanuelle Ganne, the international trade expert with extensive experience in international trade, trade policy, global governance, and diplomacy.
Emmanuel currently works as Senior Analyst in the Economic Research Department at the World Trade Organization (WTO) where she leads work on SMEs, and digital technologies and blockchain. In 2018, she authored the book Can Blockchain Revolutionize International Trade? and is a regular speaker at events on blockchain and trade digitalization. She previously held various positions at the WTO, including four years as counselor to the WTO Director, General Pascal Lamy. While in the Cabinet, Emmanuelle helped shape the strategic direction of the Organization and represented the Director-General on the UN Chief Executive Board.
Come prepared to join in the conversation, put forward your questions and network with other OWIT members and guests.

Click here to Register

WTO Public Forum 2023 - It's Time For Action
2023-09-14 09:00 - 10:15 UTC | WTO Geneva, WTO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
OWIT UK is delighted to be once again co-hosting a working session at this year’s WTO Public Forum with the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) and the Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the WTO.
This year’s Public Forum, entitled “It is Time for Action”, will feature 131 sessions from 12 to 15 September 2023. Sessions are organized by WTO member governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, academia and international organizations, with many livestreamed on the WTO website.
The Forum opens with a Presidential Lecture delivered by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. His lecture will provide insights into the convergence of trade, technology, and inclusive development. Following this, Gordon Brown will sit for a frank, face-to-face conversation with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the global economy and the challenges facing global trade.
The OWIT UK session takes place on Thursday 14th September at 9am.
Session Title: Catalysing Green Trade: Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs Shaping Sustainable Policies
Session subtheme: Inclusive policies for the advancement of green trade
Climate change is not gender-neutral. The impact of the climate crisis disproportionately affects women, particularly those who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. The crisis amplifies existing gender inequalities by increasing women’s vulnerabilities and threatening their means of subsistence. Women entrepreneurs are essential contributors to trade – and thus important agents of change. Because of their substantial knowledge of the land, indigenous women are more likely to implement green practices in their production. Thus, including them in global supply chains can address climate change by increasing sustainable trade while improving women’s economic well-being.
Still, women typically face more obstacles when setting up businesses, accessing finance, and entering global markets. The WTO and the UNPFII have previously acknowledged the importance of mainstreaming gendered trade policies for women’s economic empowerment and increasing the inclusion and diversity of women in trade. By sharing the unique experience of indigenous women, policies that reduce gender-related barriers and empower green trade can be created.
This session will adopt a bottom-up approach to look at the challenges facing indigenous women involved in sustainable trade. It will propose inclusive green policies, evidenced by the lived experience of indigenous women, that can support bringing others into sustainable global supply chains.
Session abstract:
The impact of the climate crisis disproportionately affects women, particularly those who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. As valuable contributors to sustainable trade, learnings from indigenous women’s green practices and experiences are key to addressing climate change.
This session will showcase stories from indigenous traders and examine the challenges and issues they face as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, looking at the inclusive green policies that can support them and bring them into global supply chains.
Representatives from academia, NGOs, inter-governmental organisations and global trade experts will share best practices for inclusive policies. Session outcomes will include recommendations for national governments to create a policy environment that fosters inclusive green trade, from grassroots through the supply chain.
It will link with the established United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), which provides a platform for indigenous women to engage with states on sustainable development issues, including trade.
Several interactive activities will be organized throughout the Forum, and participants will have the chance to explore various exhibitions that shed light on the role of international trade in achieving environmental sustainability.
We look forward to having you join our conversation.

Business Ethics: An International Conversation on Tuesday Feb 28 2023
2023-02-28 00:00 UTC | Zoom
International business ethics are essentially a global code of conduct which should be followed by businesses that trade internationally. They are a set of principles that establishes ethical standards for importers and exporters, employees and businesses. Sometimes, engaging in international business may introduce grey areas.
Join OWIT UK and OWIT Ottawa, Canada on Tuesday 28th February 2023, as they co-host an international working session on business ethics, bringing in examples and lived experiences and best practice for women traders in the UK, Canada, and internationally.
Join speakers Adriana Carrillo, Professor at the School of Businss at Centennial College and Co-Founder and CFO of Healthy Prickly Concepts; Aristoteles Zervapoulos, Snr Risk Manager, ESG-CS-FC, Export Development Canada, Nathalie Bradbury, OWIT OTTAWA President and Managing Director NBJJ Business Advisory Services; Noreen Burroughes Cesareo OWIT UK President , Gender and Trade Specialist and Principal of Market Accents and Nicole Pitter Patterson OWIT UK VP International and International Gender and Trade Consultant and share your own experiences and best practices.
Register and share with your colleagues. The link will be shared before the meeting.

REGISTER

OWIT UK and Natwest Event: Going Global * A to Z of International Trade
2022-10-25 10:30 - 15:30 UTC | Natwest HQ, 250 Bishopsgate London EC2M 4AA United Kingdom, 250 Bishopsgate, London, C2M 4AA, United Kingdom
OWIT UK, together with NATWEST is hosting Expanding trade horizons. Going Global: A to Z of international trade on 25th October 2022 at the NatWest head offices in London.
Registrations: From 10.00AM
Conference: 10.30AM to 3.30PM with lunch and refreshments
The day will focus on providing practical knowledge, insights and signposting for women trading internationally. Specifically industry and expert speakers will impart valuable information on foreign transactions, cash flows and trade finance, looking at challenges and solutions available.
Participants will also hear from women who are already trading internationally, as they share their insights and tips. In the afternoon sessions, there will be three masterclasses, designed to impart practical skills for trading internationally.
Attendance is complimentary and the audience will include women traders, female entrepreneurs and stakeholders from across finance and networks.
Please register for your tickets, either as attending in person, or accessing the virtual participation through the zoom link which will be sent out closer to the date.
If you are attending in person and wish to contact us about any dietary requirements or require support to access our event in person or virtually, please email Admin@owituk.org.

Register Here

Partner Event: #WBW Women and Technology
2022-10-20 | Zoom
Collaborative action from women business leaders to make a positive impact and deliver our united vision of a more sustainable world economy
About this event
October 20, 2021 10.00 and 15.00 BST
Click here for the 10.00 event: World Business Women’s Day 2022 (10.00 BST) Tickets, Thu, Oct 20, 2022 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
Click here for the 15.00 event: World Business Women’s Day 2022 (15.00 BST ) Tickets, Thu, Oct 20, 2022 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite
World Business Women’s Day 2022 10.00 BST
Women and Technology
How women in business can leverage technology to make the most of its opportunities
From AI to the dark web and everything in between…tech leaders, business owners, and women from all sectors, nations, cultures, and backgrounds, take part in this dynamic global event to explore women and technology

Frontline females in business and industry, action orientated achievers – not another talking shop
Highlighting innovation and opportunity to widen female participation in technology and contribute to the global enterprise ecosystem
Sharing best practice from nation to nation
Exchanging proven ideas to create shortcuts to tangible outcomes by flexing strategies from one nation to the next
Taking action to build more sustainable women-led businesses
Contributing to the global Savvitas Barometer
Zoom room discussions chaired by international leaders
Stimulating Speed Keynotes from high-profile global speakers
Establishing an enduring dialogue between women of the world

Outcomes shared throughout industry and government
@SavvitasGlobal #WBWDay

Savvitas is delighted to connect on #WBWDay with friends from:
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Inclusive Entrepreneurship – Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurs – G7 Gender Working Group – Global Entrepreneurship Week – GEN UK – NatWest – OWIT International – OWIT UK – WEConnect International – WishKnish – Women in Leadership – Women & Enterprise All-Party Parliamentary Group – Women Impacting Public Policy – W20 – Quantum Leaps

OWIT UK CO-HOSTING AT 2022 WTO Public Forum "Towards a sustainable and inclusive recovery: ambition to action"
2022-09-27 15:45 - 17:00 UTC | WTO Geneva, WTO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
The Organisation of Women in International Trade, UK Chapter (OWIT UK) and the 2X Collaborative a global industry body for gender lens financing (convening investors and capital providers) will be co-hosting a working session on, ‘Leveraging Technology To Enable Inclusive Finance for Women Owned SME Resilience in Global Trade’ at the WTO Public Forum, Geneva.
This session will examine private sector innovations in digital finance, fintech and trade finance with the landscape of gender lens financing supported by Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and governments to strengthen economic growth and resilience for women owned SMEs. Expert representatives from the leading gender lens investment partnership created by G7 DFI members, fintech experts in trade finance, UK Government, NGOs, inter-governmental organisations and global trade experts, will share best practices leveraging digitalization for financing for the benefit of all stakeholders.
The outcomes from the session will demonstrate the success of gender lens investing and digital finance solutions for women owned SMEs which can be implemented to ensure resilience and recovery on supply chain disruptions in supply chains disruptions in global trade.
Registration to attend in person is via the WTO website and closes on September 7th.

UPS Women Exporters Programme UK Launch Tuesday, 24th May 2022 13:00 – 14:00 (BST)
2022-05-24 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
OWIT UK President Noreen Burroughes Cesareo of Market Accents, will join ‘#SheExports – taking your women-owned business global’ as a guest speaker to launch @UPS’s Women Exporters Programme.
The programme, open to women business owners, is set to delve into topics such as exporting, logistics and more in a series of workshops, which follows the virtual launch event on 24 May, 1-2pm BST.
Join us by registering ➡️ https://ups.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ct3mNZ55T8W16z5xGpyjGg
This event will open up a new pathway to your business growth.
What you’ll discover:
• How to take advantage of exporting and inclusive trade• Insights into the Government’s role to boost small business growth• How to continue breaking barriers as a women exporter, trends and statistics• Full overview of the UPS Women Exporters Programme and what’s to come
What’s coming next? You will get access to four (4) exclusive Women Exporter workshops starting June 7, created specifically for women entrepreneurs.
#SheExports
#WomenExportersProgramme

Register Here

OWIT UK: Emerging Frontiers for International Trade and Business
2022-05-05 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has historically been a major trading partner with North America. Now that the UK has left the EU, there are more opportunities to consider.
Although sharing the same language, the North American market is different and diverse, and requires a specific and tailored trade strategy depending on the industry and sector. It is important that MSMEs – especially women-owned businesses – on both sides of the Atlantic can see and easily access the mutual opportunities.
Our webinar on Thursday May 5 2022 includes two short presentations from our keynote speakers Brenda VanHorn, Commercial Counselor, US Embassy in the United Kingdom and Susan Barton – Head of Gender Strategy and Trade Policy, Department for International Trade, United Kingdom.
They will talk about facilitation of trade opportunities. They will also share details of market entry programs and export services from both countries.
Following the short presentations, there will be an open conversation with Q&A for OWIT members and guests on the call. Participants will also have the opportunity to place their questions directly to Brenda VanHorn and Susan Barton.
Sign up today for this free webinar and an opportunity to grow your market across frontiers.

Register to Attend

Intellectual Property - The backbone of today's business
2022-05-03 12:30 - 16:30 UTC
Join us on Tuesday May 3 2022 from 12.30 to 4.30 BST for a hybrid seminar – in person in Brussels – and learn from IP, brand and businss specialists across Europe.
Who should attend?
Young or women-owned business leaders and entrepreneurs, businesses, lawyers & academics interested in knowing more about the IP – the intellectual property system – and its impact on improving businesses and marketing potential.
We will discuss what you should do to protect intellectual assets including brands and how to take action in case of copy/ infringement.
The seminar provides a general understanding needed for businesses before & after entering the market, either digital market or physical one
In today’s economy, protection of intellectual property rights is vital. It also provides more exposure and a strong competitive advantage to businesses entering a market. It also preserves their position in the market & helps them expand across borders.
Complete your egistration by following one of these links:
Eventbrite: bit.ly/35FLMQIOWIT’s Website: https://lnkd.in/eiaUGqsDOr by mail: Brussels@owit.org
€80 for non-members, €40 for members,€25 for non-member students,
€15 for member students.

Register Here

OWITUK joins OWIT Brussels and OWIT Lake Geneva to host a hybrid roundtable for IWD 2022
2022-03-17 16:00 - 17:30 UTC | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
Trade has the potential to expand women’s role in the economy, decrease inequality, and expand women’s access to skills and education. Unfortunately trade is not gender-neutral and in order to break the bias, we need to continue hearing women entrepreneurs share their experiences, identify barriers, acknowledge and share best practice and put forward recommendations and action plans to help shift these barriers.
The roundtable will showcase women in international trade from the three chapters across three areas: sustainable practices, trade finance and digitalisation. These are all key for building resilience and growing businesses across borders in the coming years.
Join OWIT Brussels, OWIT Lake Geneva and OWIT UK for insightful keynotes and a roundtable discussion in person and online.
Keynote presentations from
Vridiana Garcia Quiles, E-Trades Programme Management Officers , UNCTAD
Adriana Quinones, Director a.i, UN WOMEN, Geneva
Professor Theresa Carpenter, PHD, Trade Policy Advisor
Alisa Gus, US Ambassador, Savvitas Global,
with speed keynotes from
Alessandra Guion, Fintech Belgium (Brussels)
Deborah Leary OBE, Forensic Pathway (UK)
Zeinab Al Hasan, Georgia-Pacific LLC (Lake Geneva)
Laura Sieczkowski, Director, Mantle Packaging (UK)
Maria de Garcia, DignityService (Brussels)
Rambod Behbodi, Geneva Trade Law
Nicole Pitter Patterson, OWIT UK
Moderator: Deepash Patel, Trade Finance Global
Hosts: OWIT Europe Chapters:
Jennifer Moriconi, President OWIT Brussels
Sanaz Javadi Farahzadi, VP Partnerships OWIT Lake Geneva
Noreen Burroughes Cesareo, President OWIT UK
Should you require any assistance to access the venue or participate in the online roundtable kindly contact us by email prior to the event.

REGISTER HERE

How to Network: Why Networking Skills are Important…
2022-01-19 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
Networking skills are a critical skills to have to both help your personal and professional life. Knowing how to engage, start a conversation, develop a network – even online – and build long-term relationships takes time and self-confidence.
Join Véronique Rapetti, OWIT UK VP, President of the Young Chamber of Commerce F-GB and Product and Learners Experience Manager, Insights on Wednesday 19th January 2022 in this very practical and interactive workshop to learn how to develop networking skills to help you in your personal and professional life.
What will You Gain?
• Practical tips to help you start networking with confidence
• Points to help you consider the new skills you need to develop
• Recognise what’s working well for you already
• And by the end, to have your questions answered
Who Should Attend?
If you are new to networking, need to increase your networking efforts, or want to demystify what constitutes good networking.
This will be a very practical and interactive session. We will also look at online networking.
Please note this is not a sales focused networking workshop.
Read more about Véronique Rapetti, OWIT UK VP.

Register Here

Reaching Customers Online in a Global Economy
2021-11-30 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
72% of Twitter followers are more likely to purchase from your business after online engagement. Now more than ever reaching customer online is easier. All you need is a phone and data or a computer and access to the internet.
In this workshop Janice B Gordon, OWITUK VP, Customer Growth Expert and Founder Scale Your Sales Framework and Podcast, shows you how to grow your business by creating awareness for your product and engaging with potential customers, whether this is on LinkedIn, Twitter or WhatsApp.
Join this very engaging and practical workshop to learn:

The Scale Your Sales Attraction Method
The Dos and Don’ts to using social media for business growth.

Register Here

Notice to Members: UK DIT: International Trade Week: 15-19 November 2021
2021-11-15 08:00 - 2021-11-19 17:00 UTC
We invite OWIT UK members to note the following activities taking place during November 2021 by the UK Department of International Trade
International Trade Week
The UK’s first ever International Trade Week is here. The week offers a series of exciting events to help businesses learn more about selling globally and connect with trade industry experts.
Whether your business currently sells goods or services internationally, or is yet to start, whether you are a small business new to exporting to multinational companies looking to expand your horizons, International Trade Week will give you the inspiration, advice and confidence to take the next steps to grow your business.
You can build your own programme of events across the week, with both virtual and in-person opportunities available. From webinars on key global markets (e.g. doing business in Singapore) through to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) workshops, with events will be run by both Government and businesses, there is something for every business.
You can tailor your week’s programme to meet your company’s needs. Sign up is simple – follow the links below to register for the events taking place and discover your business’s full exporting potential.
Events
Search via the link below to register for International Trade Week events on a day by day basis. Please note that these will be continually updated with upcoming events, so check back often.

Click here for more information

Partner Event: Savvitas WBW COP26 Green Paper Update & Actions
2021-11-10 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
Register Here

Collaborative action from women business leaders to make a positive impact and deliver our united vision of a more sustainable world economy
The Impact of Climate Change on Women in Business
Women at Work Global Report to COP26 Summit
On the 1st day of #COP26 WBW Chair Sue Lawton MBE presented our ‘Green Paper’ Report with ideas from WBW Day Women Leaders
Join us to hear Sue’s update from COP26 and agree next steps

An interactive online session with key women leaders
Taking action to build more sustainable women-led businesses
Establishing an enduring dialogue between women of the world

Held in partnership with OWIT UK
To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week
@SavvitasGlobal @GENUK @OWITUK
#WBW #COP26 #GEW2021 #GEWUK #GENUK
Savvitas is delighted to partner with OWIT UK and GEN UK /GEW UK
And to connect on #WBW with friends from
NatWest – All-Party Parliamentary Group for Inclusive Entrepreneurship – Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurs – G7 Gender Working Group – Global Entrepreneurship Week – GEN UK – Malta Business Network – mnAI – OWIT – Progeny – WEConnect International – WishKnish – Women in Leadership – Women & Enterprise All-Party Parliamentary Group – Women Impacting Public Policy – W20 – Quantum Leaps
Thanks to ethicalhour.co.uk for the event image and to the late great Ruth Bader GInsburg for her everlasting wisdom

OWIT UK- WEIFORWARD CO-HOSTED WTO PF21 Joint Working Session: Building resilience to bridge trade gaps through digital transformation
2021-10-01 15:30 - 16:30 UTC
Building resilience to bridge trade gaps through digital transformation
The Organisation of Women in International Trade, UK Chapter (OWIT UK) and Women’s Economic Imperative (WEIForward) are hosting this joint working session at the WTO Public Forum 2021. The session will look at ways in which government and private enterprise can collaborate to ensure the broadest range of opportunities remain open to all women to acquire digital skills, build resilience and ensure sustainable growth in international trade following the disruptions and further inequalities in supply chains caused by the pandemic.
Outcomes from the session will suggest possible collaborative areas such as digital transformation and solutions which can then be implemented and shared as best practice globally

WORKING SESSION PANEL SPEAKERS

#OWITUK Webinars: Born Global on September 22, 2021
2021-09-22 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
From the minute you launch your website you are a ‘born global’ company. What is your strategy? What practical steps do you need to take to optimise your global reach? This webinar is designed to help you begin your international trade journey. It will provide you with practical information and signposting including:

How to identify your market
Distributors, agents, partnerships
Due diligence/Legals
Payment terms/Foreign Exchange
Key support organisations/connections
Chambers of Commerce International Trade Support

If you want to know what an international trade strategy should look like and want to ensure you are opportunity ready, then join Deborah Leary OBE, VP of OWIT UK, CEO Forensic Pathways and DIT Export Champion, with guest Mandy Haque, International Director, Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & VP of the British American Business Council.
Deborah Leary OBE, Vice President OWIT UK and CEO and Founder of Forensic Pathways
Mandy Haque, International Director, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

OWIT UK: Removing Barriers to International Trade Finance
2021-07-15 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
Following our launch event which looked at the OWIT UK agenda, we continue the conversation with a Round Table on Thursday 15 July at 13.00 hours BST.
This ‘solution-driven’ roundtable will look at known and identified barriers and recommendations on how to move forward.
Confirmed speakers include
Eleanor Wragg – Senior Reporter at GTR talking about Gender and Trade Finance
Alisa DiCaprio – Head Of Trade and Supply Chain at R3 addressing the benefits of digitisation in Trade Finance for SMEs and MSMEs
Duarte Pedreira – Head of Emerging and Frontier Markets, Crown Agents Bank, sharing his insights on International Trade into Africa
Veronika Koroleva – Commodities and Trade Finance Partners at Gunnercooke speaking about the Brexit Impact on UK & EU trade
Yvonne Greeves – Head of Women in Business at Natwest addressing Access to Finance for Women-led businesses.
Join this hour-long lively round table and participate with your experiences and recommendations.
This event is free.
Please email admin@owituk.org if you require any assistance during the event or any further information.

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

Partner Event: GTR UK 2021 Virtual
2021-06-29 - 2021-06-30
OWIT UK members are invited to attend the GTR UK Trade event this year. Free registration is available here: https://www.gtreview.com/events/virtual/gtr-uk-2021-virtual/#tab_book
As part of its hybrid offering for 2021 – with an in-person event scheduled for October 19 – GTR UK will take place in virtual form on June 29-30, offering unrivalled insights into the latest developments in UK trade and trade finance.
Coming at a key time for UK trade, both in terms of the ongoing impact of Covid on supply chains and business continuity planning and the plans for Global Britain as the realities of Brexit start to hit home, the programme for the 2 days will also reflect on the ongoing ramifications of Greensill, whether it’s concerns around supply chain finance models or questions posed for the insurance sector. We’ll also be looking at ongoing efforts to achieve competitive edge when it comes to digitisation, walking the ESG tightrope, and the latest support offerings from UK Export Finance.
The 2 days will feature live streamed studio sessions, interactive Zoom-style breakouts and pre-recorded interviews, helping to provide clarity on the latest issues impacting the UK market.
6 key themes:
– Where now for supply chain finance?
– Maintaining digital competitiveness
– Post-Brexit reality vs rhetoric
– Managing the ESG balancing act
– Prospects for Global Britain
– New UKEF support offerings
Meet representatives from, local and international banks, multinationals and SMEs, independent financiers, commodity brokers and traders, insurers and risk managers, lawyers and consultants, fintech providers and ECAs & multilaterals. View
To take part, please register here.

OWIT UK LAUNCH: INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND GENDER TO BOOST ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT
2021-06-23 14:30 - 16:30 (Europe/London) | OWIT UK ZOOM VIRTUAL EVENT, United Kingdom
OWIT UK is formally launching on Wednesday 23 June 2021 at 14:30 BST.
We are excited to announce the launch of a new chapter of the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT) here in the UK. Together with the trade bodies and industry organisations, we believe that international trade is a key to the business agenda and that it will help us to grow the economy following the disruptions caused by Brexit and the Pandemic.
There has never been a better time for a new OWIT chapter in the UK. As women business owners and entrepreneurs we are eager to unlock opportunities, easily access international markets and grow our networks and communities overseas. The newly formed chapter has been formally accepted in the global OWIT family, and our website – www.owituk.org is also live. An Executive Board is in place and we are currently reaching out to establish collaborative partnerships across industries.
Our launch activities include a webinar on Wednesday 23rd June to start the OWIT conversations and to discuss our agenda and programme for the future. This will touch on the core themes which are driving our programme, and which will cover topics such as:

key challenges faced by businesses and how to support them to trade easily and safely on a global level,
Increased knowledge and guidance on international standards and digitisation of processes,
Overcoming challenges caused by cultural differences,
Identifying and bridging gaps in leadership and entrepreneurial skills,
Signposting and knowledge share of trade-related topics such as trade regulations, logistics and supply chains.

To view a copy of the programme please click here.
We would be delighted if you could join us to help us set the global agenda for the future growth of OWIT UK.
Please email admin@owituk.org if you require any assistance during the event or any further information.

Register

Speakers and Chairs

HE Ambassador Simon Manley CMG United Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation, United Nations and other International Organisations.

H.E Ambassador Stephen de Boer, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation

Susan Barton Team Leader of the Trade and Gender Equality team at the UK Department for International Trade (DIT)

Chris Southworth, Secretary General at the International Chamber of Commerce UK and Director of APPG for Trade & Export Promotion

Shannon Manders, Editorial Director, Global Trade Review (GTR)

Camelia Mazard, Esq. OWIT President

Helene Martin Gee, Founder of Savvitas and Chair of the OWIT UK Advisory Board

Sue Lawton MBE, Savvitas Senator, Chair, World Business Women and OWIT UK Advisory Board Member

Noreen Burroughes Cesareo, President OWIT UK, International Trade, Strategic Marketing and Communications

Deborah Leary OBE, Vice President OWIT UK and CEO and Founder of Forensic Pathways

Gurshinder Sidhu, Vice President OWIT UK and Trade Finance Specialist

Janice B Gordon, OWIT UK Vice President and Chair, international Speaker, Educator, Consultant, Author, Customer Growth and Sales Expert

Nicole Pitter Patterson, OWIT UK Vice President International Relations and Co-Founder/Director of SheLeadsIT

Véronique Rapetti, OWIT UK Vice President and Head of Learning & Engagement at ASPIRE

Antonella Ragona, OWIT UK Vice President and Hon Secretary, Owner of Marketing Nest

Savvitas Global World Business Women Caucus - June 8 2021
2021-06-08
Savvitas Global World Business Women Caucus – June 8 2021

Savvitas Global: World Business Women Caucus (WBWCaucus)
When: Tuesday June 8, 2021 at 10.00 and 15.00 BST
Places are limited, but OWIT members may book VIP Tickets via Eventbrite:
10.00 BST: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/152349843483
15.00 BST: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/152347015023
The June WBW Caucus aligns with the G7 Summit and focuses on Lifelong Development of Women. It will discuss recommendations from the G7 Gender Working Group Communique.
WBW brings together business leaders, founders, and women from corporate life to network and collaborate to promote and support women in business across cultures, sectors and nations.
Speakers and delegates are leading business women from over 30 countries around the world.
Chaired by Savvitas Founder Helene Martin Gee, along with Sue Lawton MBE and key Savvitas Ambassadors and Senators, including Jill Pay, Noreen Cesareo, Antonella Ragona, Aisha Izzet, Brenda King MBE, Lisa Gus, Sheetal Mehta Walsh, Vena Ramphal, Virginia Littlejohn.
WBW creates lasting connections and celebrates the achievements of those at the top of their careers while acting as a beacon for women starting their business journey
The first WBW 2021 global events focused on Women in Technology and the Creative Industries.
All ideas gathered will be published in an international Savvitas White Paper in November 2021 during Global Entrepreneurship Week – the 13 year Savvitas has participated in Enterprise Week / GEW!

Commonwealth Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit 21
2021-05-19 - 2021-05-20
Join the first Commonwealth Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit – a two day conference and a lot more besides. The Summit and our feature activities will be coordinated here on the WorldLabs platform where host organisations CBWN, GEN UK and Women In Innovation have established communities which connect with the global innovation ecosystem. To take part, sign up and create your profile. All sessions, resources and networking tools will be available to members of the Summit communities.
