Shehzad Chaudhary

Awards night Tuesday 14th November Grosvenor House, London

 

The UK Government’s Department for Business & Trade (DBT) English Regions works to increase the number of UK exporters and support the UK to attract inward investment. 

We directly support businesses to export and match high profile investment opportunities with foreign investors. Our work covers the majority of England – the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands Engine and the Southern England. 

As International Trade & Investment Director (SCS1) for the Midlands, I lead the delivery of these export support services to businesses across the Midlands using a network of International Trade Advisors (ITAs) and I lead the DBT Midlands Investment Hub, which is a focal point for Foreign Direct Investment in the Midlands. 

We do this by directly providing export and investment services, forming partnerships with key partners, business representative organisations & stakeholders. We build the exporting capability of high growth potential businesses through one:many and one:one upskilling, help and support to businesses through our Exporting Academy and our regional ITAs, directly connecting them with opportunities across through the world, breaking down barriers to trade, market diagnosis, trade missions and so much more.

With a career spanning over 25+ years in the public and private sector where I have successfully led and managed large, national teams for major digital organisations and UK Government departments; delivering key strategy, policy, change and transformation to help and support businesses of all sizes and complexity. Successfully delivering policy, building advocacy and influencing notable business boards, forums and international stakeholders. Alongside building critical business capability to meet the needs of now and the future. My roles have been high profile and demanding in the best sense possible, where my passion for building teams and meaningful partnerships has been stimulating for growth and prosperity.

Having lived and worked in the Midlands for majority of life, it means a great deal for me to represent the best of the Midlands and help showcase that to the rest of the world. 

I am a firm believer in the value of collaboration, partnering and inclusivity to help drive the Midlands to exceed our export and investment ambitions and ensure we work toward our ‘race to a trillion’ worth of exports by 2030.

#MadeInTheMidlandsSoldToTheWorld