A top export strategist has strengthened the team at Bradford-based Chamber International as it gears up to spearhead a key part of Yorkshire’s biggest export drive for a generation.

Neil Park has joined CI as an associate to head up its export development service and persuade more Bradford and Yorkshire firms to sell their goods and services overseas in a bid to boost exports sales from the region by around £3 billion.

Chamber International has teamed up with the Government’s international trade body UKTI and the Leeds City Region Local Economic Partnership to deliver part of the year-long We Are International campaign International trade experts and seasoned exporters from the Bradford district will play a leading role in the year-long campaign, which aims to reverse the current situation whereby only a small minority of regional companies sell their good and services abroad.

Chamber International and its partners will deliver a key part of the initiative through the formation of the Export Network, a team of experienced Export Champions and Ambassadors, who will mentor and offer practical, hands-on advice to novice or inexperienced exporters.

The campaign will be launched on Tuesday, March 12, with the aim of increasing Yorkshire’s export sales to counteract a sluggish market at home. Only seven per cent of Yorkshire companies sell overseas.

Chamber International said many firms were deterred from exporting for by cost, logistics, paperwork and difficulties in finding customers.

Mr Park has worked on export sales for two large manufacturers in the automotive industry for the past 17 years, seeing year on year increases in sales, margin and market share.

Since 2011 he has run his own company developing international sales for a number of manufacturers keen to develop a business presence outside their own domestic markets.

He has taught the Institute of Export Advanced Diploma Course, which covers topics such as distribution, international marketing and sales and international commercial law.

Mr Park’s work with companies includes reviewing and revising their export strategy, pricing, marketing, branding and finding the right route to market.

Mr Park said: “One of the biggest hang-ups for companies is knowing how to respond when they receive an international enquiry.

“My idea is to develop a plan that I can work on with companies to ensure that they have the knowledge and the tools around them to be able to respond to any international enquiry within five minutes. It’s about building knowledge and tools that are at hand and give you the chance to get the conversation going with confidence. I believe that if you give people the confidence to respond, half the battle is won.”