Guidance

Get international trade support from regional teams in England

The Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) delivery teams are based across the English regions, supporting businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities.

Who we are

Our role is to support the delivery of the government’s Export Strategy through levelling up and creating economic growth. This aligns to the Secretary of State’s ambition of UK exports hitting the £1 trillion mark before the mid-2030s.

To find your nearest DBT office to talk about growing your business overseas or investing, please use our office finder tool.

We provide specialist tailored information about overseas markets through DBT’s global network in over 100 countries, across 150+ locations, based in Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates.

We deliver this through:

  • our Export Academy programme - online workshops that provides businesses of any size with the skills and knowledge to grow their international sales
  • our International Trade Adviser (ITA) service – one to one support to relevant businesses outside of London that require tailored, expert advice to grow their international sales
  • helping businesses access major buyers, governments and supply chains overseas
  • sector and market specific workshops, events and trade missions

How we help

We offer ITA support through teams in the North, Midlands and South. There are different arrangements for companies based in London , who can use our office finder tool to access DBT services.

We work with UK Export Finance (UKEF) and their network of specialist export finance managers located across the whole of the UK. They provide specialist support on trade and export finance to UK exporters and suppliers, particularly SMEs.

We use our extensive range of partner and stakeholder networks to deliver collaborative activities designed to support UK businesses grow international sales and overseas companies invest in the UK across all sectors.

Through end-to-end project management we help overseas investors understand commercial opportunities by developing bespoke proposals and arranging regional visits.

We provide access to Export Champions and Investment Champions; successful local businesses willing to share their own international stories and expertise.

How you can contact us

To find your nearest Department for Business and Trade Office to talk about growing your business overseas or investing, please use our office finder tool.

Published 14 April 2023