Shipley-based global entrepreneur Eric Hawthorn is stepping up to a top-level role in helping to boost exporting by local companies.

Mr Hawthorn – whose Radio Design technology business launched in 2007 and now employs more than 250 people, operates in several countries and is on track for a £20 million turnover this year – has joined the board of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, where he will act as chief adviser on international trade.

He has served for three years on the LEP’s Business Innovation and Growth Panel, where he helped spearhead the We are International export campaign, which is being co-ordinated by trade experts at Bradford-based Chamber International and aims to increase regional exports by an extra £1.6 billion in the next five years.

To date, the campaign has helped around 300 small and medium firms take the first steps towards trading overseas.

Eric will also provide the LEP board with expertise on enterprise, business innovation, SME competitiveness and the manufacturing sector.

He said: “Having been part of the LEP for three years now, I’m impressed by the genuine passion our board and panel members have for driving the region forward.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to the LEP board and to working with my fellow board members to seize the opportunity we now have to fully realise the Leeds City Region’s enormous economic potential – and to ensuring the We Are International campaign continues to go from strength to strength in helping local firms realise their own export potential.”

Roger Marsh, LEP chairman, said: “Eric has brought real leadership and energy to the We Are International campaign and has helped ensure it is seen – by the SMEs who are benefiting from it and by government – as an innovative and valuable LEP initiative.

“Eric’s company success story is testament to how businesses in our region are exporting innovation around the world and driving the re-industrialisation of the UK economy. I look forward to having him on board to help the LEP ensure the Leeds City Region punches its full weight on the national and international stage.”

Radio Design has grown from 11 employees in Shipley to a global operation with bases in six countries, including China and India. The company was the first in the world to market radio filter technology allowing mobile operators to share the same antenna system.

T-Mobile and Three subsequently introduced the world’s largest shared network using Radio Design technology.

The firm won a Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2011.