Written evidence from Leslie Plant (in a personal capacity) (EXP0016)
I am a retired, (2 years), International Trade Adviser who had a sector responsibility for Healthcare & Biotechnology in the South East Region. I spent the majority of my private sector working life in the UK Medical Equipment Industry where I travelled extensively overseas and worked in all the major international healthcare markets. I also worked within the UK promoting new products to the NHS hospitals.
1.1 I joined whatever UKTI was called in 2002 and in my role over 10 years as an International Trade Adviser I worked with primarily SME’s, start-ups, university spin-offs and incubator units, also stakeholders such as trade associations, chambers of commerce, and banks.
1.2 I attended international exhibitions where there was a British Pavilion supporting companies who were often going overseas for the first time, jointly organised and ran trade missions, (market visits), to the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia.
1.3 I was involved in the UKTI initiative at Lancaster House during London 2012. Specifically, Healthcare, ICT and Education & Training events. (Both sectors are integrally linked to my healthcare sector).
1.4 I regularly worked alongside the UKTI Healthcare Sector Team.
1.5 I am proud of my overall contribution to the success of the UK Medtech Industry. (Now a much reduced sector due to foreign ownership; see the FTSE 100 Healthcare Sector list).
2.1 I believe that there is a solid case for a government organisation that is devoted to supporting British Exporters. It is only 6(?), years ago that UKTI was acknowledged by its international peers to be one of the three best providers of Export Support to SME’s.
2.2 UKTI is fit for purpose but only if it is understood where its core strength lies; in its regional International Trade Adviser, (ITA) network.
2.3 I do not subscribe to the view that the private sector, for example, PA Consulting, is best equipped to perform this role and undermine the impartial stance of an ITA.
3.1 I have observed many reviews of BIS, (or whatever incarnation), and quite a number on UKTI and decided on this occasion to submit evidence.
3.2 The most material element within UKTI that is hardly ever referred to and is even less understood or acknowledged by contributors to the review is the fact that-
All International Trade Advisers are recruited from the private sector and are privately employed by a contractor who has won a UKTI contract to deliver UKTI services to an English Region. The ITA brings considerable commercial acumen to the role of “trusted adviser”.
3.3 This is important and critical to the interaction an ITA has with the UKTI universe that was, until recently, usually SME’s.
3.4 The SME is a delicate creature; often an owner manager with limited funding, managing their resources and needing an impartial adviser to discuss everything from staff matters to export potential and the most appropriate routes to market. The ITA does this, advising counselling, cajoling and motivating to a point where exporting becomes the prime focus of the company and not just an ad hoc project when business has dropped off in the UK.
3.5 Exporting is a long term project, vision is necessary and the ITA can provide this, utilising the schemes, some funded, offered by UKTI. A small amount of funding can make the difference between attending an international exhibition or taking a place on a Market Visit.
3.6 Given inadequate marketing, the decimation of funded schemes for SME’s, the constant changing of policy; is it any wonder that UKTI has not achieved its targets.
3.7 I had the great privilege of working with many intelligent, knowledgeable civil servants, (perhaps not a universally accepted view of civil servants who are used to being maligned because they are public sector), particularly those who were with the Healthcare Sector Team, who were able to relate to the skills and expertise of the private sector ITA’s and include the ITA’s in helping formulate sector-driven activities. Sadly, many of these people have now either left the service or have been placed in “the pool” awaiting any opportunity to continue their career.
3.8 Civil servants are not usually commercial in orientation (with notable exceptions), and need the input of ITA’s to come to the right decisions for industry.
25 November 2015