Cambridge welcomes Silicon Valley’s ‘Travelling Geeks’

On 10th July, Cambridge played host to a visit from the ‘Travelling Geeks’, an informal group of twelve technology influencers and bloggers from Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area who travel the world, reporting on innovative technologies and entrepreneurs through blogs, video, podcasts and social networks. Already we have had positive responses from the Travelling Geeks. Tom Foremski of ‘Silicon Valley Watcher’ declared Cambridge “the best part of their time in the UK”. (visit http://www.siliconvalleywatcher.com/mt/archives/2009/07/uk_cambridge_an.php.

Hosted by East of England International, and sponsored by Omobono and Cambridge University Press, the visit included the chance for local businesses to quiz the geeks on using social media in small businesses through a panel discussion hosted by leading digital marketing agency Omobono, as well as the opportunity for ten innovative local businesses to pitch their products to the geeks. (See Notes to Editors for a list of the participating companies). The quick fire pitches and networking have generated interest in our companies here: http://jeffinlondon.wordpress.com/2009/07/12/handhelds-for-doctors/

The Geeks then participated in a tour of some of Cambridge’s foremost technology centres, including the Nokia and Microsoft laboratories and The Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, before enjoying a punt on the river Cam and a networking reception and dinner at Peterhouse College sponsored by Taylor Wessing. On Saturday afternoon they participated in an open ‘Tweet-Up’ at the Fitzwilliam Museum (see quick review of Nokia visit http://downtheavenue.com/2009/07/cambridge-nokia-labs-key-research-areas.html)

David Riches, Chief Executive of EEI commented on the visit: “We were delighted to have the Geeks in Cambridge, and through their blogging and use of social media, they will be exposing the East of England to global media, highlighting the region’s prowess as a world-leading hub for innovation and high-tech enterprise”.

For more and outgoing coverage on the Travelling Geeks to Cambridge visit www.eei-online.com/travellinggeeks

Suffolk firm shows the way for World Trade Week

Business leaders from Suffolk who have successfully expanded their companies into foreign markets are using World Trade Week (8 to 12 June) to encourage others to do the same.

Specialist software company for the homecare sector, HET Software in Haverhill, Suffolk, provides a range of solutions to enhance business effectiveness for homecare providers. It has started to sell its range of applications to the Australian market with considerable success, winning contracts with a number of high profile customers and culminating in a recent A$2million (approx. £1m) contract. The company puts much of its success down to the support provided through a programme called ‘Passport to Export’ which is delivered by East of England International.

John Mayhew, chief executive of HET Software, commented: “Local businesses should take advantage of the excellent opportunities that are available to them to get a foothold in foreign markets. EEI’s International Trade Adviser Paul Sharpe has been very helpful each step of the way in helping us develop our overseas trade.”

East of England International, the delivery arm of UK Trade and Investment for the East of England, is encouraging local businesses to take up opportunities to investigate and expand into foreign markets through programmes they offer such as ‘Passport to Export’ and ‘Gateway to Global Growth’.

Paul Sharpe commented: “Passport to Export is just one of the services that East of England International has on offer to help you make that first step into trading abroad. Even though we are in a recession, this is a perfect time for businesses to start venturing into foreign markets and World Trade Week provides a great opportunity to kick start growing your business. Give East of England International a call to see what we have on offer.”

Aimed at new and inexperienced exporters, UKTI’s Passport to Export programme offers free capability assessments, support in visiting potential markets, mentoring from a local export professional, free action plans, customised and subsidised training, and ongoing support throughout your exporting journey. The programme puts together, in one simple process, all the tools exporting companies need to grow their business.

World Trade Week highlights the importance of global trade in creating jobs and growth in the current economic climate. It aims to raise the profile of the range of practical support available to UK businesses to make sure they continue to be vibrant global traders and investors in the future.

Major supporters such as UK Trade and Investment, the British Chambers of Commerce and the CBI are backing World Trade Week to provide the impetus to get firms of all sizes and across all sectors looking at how they can exploit overseas markets.

For further information about East of England International call 0845 641 9955 or visit www.eei-online.com.

For more information about the week or to find out how to get involved visit www.dfid.gov.uk/worldtradeweekuk or www.berr.gov.uk/worldtradeweekuk

Lowestoft’s Richard Perkins joins the Board of East of England International

Lowestoft’s Richard Perkins joins the Board of East of England International

East of England International (EEI), the organisation that helps businesses export, and assists foreign-owned companies to set up in the region, has announced that Lowestoft’s Richard Perkins has joined the Board.

Richard is currently the Chairman of the Waveney Local Strategic Partnership and the Waveney Economic Partnership, and a Director of 1st East, the Urban Regeneration Company for Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. He has a particular interest in energy, sustainability and regeneration in the region, particularly through property development and inward investment.

Richard commented on his appointment: “I am very pleased to have been asked to join the Board of EEI. This will provide me with the opportunity to actively promote international trade and inward investment into the region; particularly into regeneration areas such as Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth that are already benefiting from the growth of the renewable energy sector, which has strong international connections and the potential for substantial development.”

Richard has extensive experience in commercial property and asset management, and is actively involved in managing property portfolios throughout England through his commercial property consultancy Richard Perkins & Associates, established in 1997 and based in Lowestoft. He is a past President of Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce, and a current Director of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

Richard also holds a number of other non-executive roles across the region including board membership of the Suffolk Strategic Partnership, Director of Suffolk Development Agency (Choose Suffolk), and Director and Trustee of Waveney Community Forum.

Sir Robin Young, Chairman of EEI added: “We are delighted to have Richard on board. His experience and commitment to the prosperity of the region speaks for itself, and his expertise will be extremely useful to EEI in our role of encouraging investment into the East of England.”
Richard’s formative years were spent in Surrey and Sussex, although he has lived in East Anglia for more than 20 years. His interests include Victorian & Georgian architecture, architectural photography, hill and distance walking, cycling and the environment.
East of England International is the delivery arm of UK Trade and Investment in the East of England.

For further information about East of England International call 0845 641 9955 or visit http://www.eei-online.com/.