Earlier this month, hundreds of industry leaders, policy makers, and trade professionals gathered at one of the UK’s most prominent events for international trade and business growth: the eighth annual Global Britain Trade Expo.
Held at the QEII Centre in London, just a stone’s throw from Big Ben and Westminster, the Expo provided a vital platform for exploring how British-made products and services are helping to shape the future of global commerce through innovation, resilience, and ethical manufacturing.
Organised in partnership with leading bodies including Made in Britain, the Institute of Directors (IoD), the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Ambassador Partnership, the event attracted more than 1,200 attendees from 36 countries, with over 75 exhibitors and 33 expert speakers sharing acute insight across a packed agenda.
Matthew Stadlen, journalist and broadcaster - and host of Made in Britain’s new UnPacked series - served as MC for the main stage, helping to guide high-level discussions across the day.
Made in Britain CEO John Pearce took to the stage as the second speaker of the morning, highlighting the enduring role of British manufacturers in driving domestic prosperity and international competitiveness. He underlined the organisation’s core mission: to support responsible, high-quality manufacturing and unlock the potential of British-made goods in global export markets. With a notable surge of membership applications in recent months and half of all British consumers recognising the official Made in Britain trademark, this ongoing mission is one that is quickly gaining traction to become the de facto mark of quality among British manufacturers.
“Rather than the old adage of ‘manufactured success’, we like to think that manufacturing causes success,” said John, referencing the sector’s ability to deliver net-positive impact across communities, economies, and the environment.
The Expo's 2025 theme, “Britain’s Bridge to Global Markets,” focused on future-facing trade challenges and opportunities, with sessions addressing supply-chain resilience, geopolitical change, AI innovation, and expansion into key overseas markets including the US, China, and France.
Made in Britain’s Director of Membership and Programmes, Simon Boyd, reinforced the international value of the Made in Britain mark in no uncertain terms:
“There’s a global appetite for what our members are producing. Buyers around the world increasingly want to know that products are made well, made fairly, and made with purpose. The Made in Britain mark communicates all of that. It gives our members an edge - not just here in the UK, but in over 160 countries. We’re helping manufacturers move from resilience to real growth.”
With over 2,160 manufacturers now part of the Made in Britain community, the organisation continues to champion the value of UK manufacturing at home and abroad, providing members with practical export tools, international visibility, and a network committed to sustainability, inclusivity, and growth.
The 2026 Global Britain Trade Expo is already pencilled in for 11th June 2026, and Made in Britain looks forward to returning, building on its mission to champion sustainable, ethical, and successful British manufacturing on the world stage.
By Made in Britain 2 months ago | By Made in Britain