Online session to mark the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which is now confirmed to happen before the end of 2024. CPTPP is a free trade area spanning five continents and almost 600 million people, once the UK joins. The CPTPP includes Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam in the Asia Pacific region.
Date & time: Tuesday 12th November, 11.00 - Midday
Made in Britain invites UK companies to hear from and connect with:
- Two UK manufacturing companies successfully exporting to the Asia Pacific region, including Roman Ltd and Tensor plc
- The UK Department for Business and Trade’s Asia Pacific team – offering support and advice for UK exporters, including how to utilise the benefits of the CPTPP when it comes into force on 15 December.
More than 99% of current UK goods exports to CPTPP members will be tariff-free once the deal enters into effect, helping businesses export more to CPTPP markets and contributing to the government’s priority of driving economic growth. By 2040, the agreement could boost the UK economy by around £2 billion annually.
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This 60-minute online session takes place just a few weeks before the UK joins the CPTPP. Made in Britain also knows the region is of high interest to UK manufacturing companies, as indicated via Made in Britain’s 2023 exports survey.
Made in Britain recognises the value of businesses talking with their peers, and this session will facilitate that for UK exporters wanting to hear real, practical examples, direct from the exporters themselves. Whether it's an exporter venturing into Asia Pacific region for the first time, or one with extensive experience in the market. As ever, Made in Britain aims to leave plenty of time for Q&A, so attendees can ask the exporters, DBT, Made in Britain and other guests questions specific to their own interests.
The session will be opened by Made in Britain’s CEO, John Pearce, and facilitated by its Advisor, George Middleton. This is the latest in Made in Britain’s ongoing programme of export activity. If there are any specific questions or discussion points that you would find helpful for the session to cover, or for more details, please email Made in Britain in advance via: trade@madeinbritain.org.
The session is open to any UK company with an interest in exporting to Asia Pacific region, be it active and large, small scale, or still in the pipeline. As a Made in Britain session, it will however be particularly valuable for UK manufacturing companies.
Speakers
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David Osborne | CEO | Roman Ltd David Osborne, Roman CEO, graduated in Political Science and has been at Roman for 32 years and has seen Roman expand its offer to over 70 countries worldwide – winning two Queens Awards for International Trade. Roman manufactures Shower Enclosures, Wetroom systems and Solid Surface bathroom products and all products are proudly Made in Britain – and David was on the Made in Britain Board for 6 years. Sustainability, especially the Circular Economy ranks very high withRoman and is a key differential for the future. |
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Ashley Smith | Group Chief Executive | Tensor plc Ashley Smith is the Group Chief Executive of Tensor plc, a leading time, security & energy management systems manufacturer based in the UK. Tensor has over 2,500 customer sites in the UK and several key partnerships in Asia & Africa. During his tenure, Ashley has been instrumental in the international expansion of Tensor, particularly into the APAC region where Tensor has regional offices with over 100 local employees. Ashley has also served as a section Chairman within the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) as chair of the Civil Aviation section and continues to play an active role in the BSIA and ADS. |
Department for Business and Trade
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Valeria Vigilante | CPTPP Lead | FTA Utilisation at the Department for Business and Trade Valeria joined the then Department for International Trade in April 2019. Since then, she has worked across a range of trade policy areas, such as UK MFN tariff regimes, trade remedies, and FTA Implementation. In her current role, she is leading on FTA Utilisation strategy on Digital Trade, on CPTPP as a project manager and as country lead for Singapore and Japan. |
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Richard Colley | Director of Trade and Investment Malaysia, Department for Business and Trade Richard Colley took up his current role as Director of Trade Malaysia in July 2022. He is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in international trade and investment. As a Director of Trade and Investment Malaysia at the British High Commission, he plays a pivotal role in fostering economic relations between the United Kingdom and Malaysia. His responsibilities include promoting UK exports, encouraging Malaysian investments in the UK, and facilitating business partnerships. Colley’s career in trade and investment spans over two decades, during which he has held various strategic positions including Head of the Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing in the US (2009-14) and Director of Trade Philippines (2018-2022). His expertise lies in market analysis, economic diplomacy, and international business development. |
Facilitated by: 
George Middleton | Advisor to Made in Britain and Director | MAP UK & International
George Middleton is an international trade and supply chains specialist. He has extensive professional experience in public, private and not-for-profit sectors, in the UK and internationally. He is the Director of MAP UK & International and an Advisor to Made in Britain. Since 2019, George has engaged privately with companies and governments across a range of sectors. Current appointments also include long-term roles with a UK plc and an executive agency of the UK government. George lived and worked overseas between 2011 and 2018, for the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and then Department for International Trade. Before that, he managed Community Relations and Regeneration projects, for the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority (2008-11) and Tribal Group plc [later Capita] (2005-08).