As part of the Labour Government’s plan to support small businesses and boost global exports a new Board of Trade has been unveiled.
The new look Board, announced by the Business and Trade Secretary, will be charged with helping businesses, including the country’s 5.5 million SMEs, to boost their exports and help super-charge growth for the economy as part of the Plan for Change.
The new Board members include Apprentice star and entrepreneur Mike Soutar, BT Group Chief Executive Allison Kirkby, and Michelle Ovens CBE, the Founder of Small Business Britain. These advisors will be advocates and ambassadors for their sector, supporting businesses, especially SMEs, so they can trade more and grow.
Small businesses are the driving force of our economy, both at a local and national level, which is why, as part of our Plan for Change we’re determined to ensure that all SMEs have the tools at their disposal to thrive.
The new Board of Trade will be another tool in our arsenal to get more businesses trading around the world and taking advantage of our fantastic FTAs. This won’t be a chin-stroking talking shop, because I’ll be urging them to boost exports and get more SMEs trading across all their sectors.
Because we know that when more small firms export, it leads to more jobs and higher wages and grows the economy.
– Jonathan Reynolds, Business and Trade Secretary
The announcement comes in the backdrop of a flagship policy event at Wilton Park which is bringing together government, trade bodies, small businesses and other experts to help inform the government’s wider Small Business Strategy that will be published later this year.
A key part of the Government’s growth mission and Plan for Change, the three-day summit is aimed at tackling the everyday issues SMEs face to help them to scale up, grow and thrive.
