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Businesses encouraged to enter awards celebrating exporting success stories

Businesses encouraged to enter awards celebrating exporting success stories
Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

Posted: Wed 10th Jan 2024

UK companies that have made a success of exporting are being encouraged to enter the Department for Business and Trade's (DBT) Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards, which has prizes including a winners' reception in the Houses of Parliament.

The 2024 awards, which close for entries at 23:59 on Sunday 14 January, recognise businesses that are selling products or services overseas. The categories you can enter are:

  • Agriculture, food and Drink

  • Consultancy and professional services

  • Creative industries

  • Education and EdTech

  • Financial services and FinTech

  • Healthcare

  • Infrastructure and engineering

  • Low carbon energy

  • Manufacturing, advanced manufacturing and construction

  • Retail and consumer goods

DBT says it is looking for businesses that can clearly demonstrate how selling internationally has helped grow and improve their business in areas such as sales, culture and employment.

The government is also looking for compelling stories about selling internationally with interesting details about the steps the business has taken in its quest to go global.

As well as being able to attend the special event in Parliament, winners will also receive a trophy, certificate, digital badge, a year's free membership to the Institute of Exports and International Trade, a professional photoshoot and extensive promotion across DBT channels.

Small and medium sized businesses with up to 250 employees can enter the Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards here.

Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards

ScotlandShop founder Anna White
Winning the retail and consumer goods category in 2023 was Anna White, founder of ScotlandShop.

Founded in 2002, the business specialises in handcraft bespoke tartan clothing, fabrics and home accessories.

It achieved sales of £2.4m in 2022, including significant revenue from the US market. Anna has set up a store in Albany, New York, as well as pop-up shops across the US and Canada.

The award judges recognised ScotlandShop as a great example of how heritage and long-lasting brands are attractive overseas.

Anna White said:

"Selling overseas has opened markets and opportunities not available to us within the very rural location where we are based. It spreads the risk: where one market dips, another does well, and in these uncertain times this has helped us hugely."

Go Global: International trade tips for small businesses

The Department for Business and Trade's UK Export Academy is a partner of Go Global, Enterprise Nation's international trade hub with advice on importing and exporting for small businesses.

Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events
I'm a freelance journalist and event host who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I'm also Enterprise Nation's news reporter and Bristol Local Leader. I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website's news reporter and as the host of the Small Business sessions podcast. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

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