Ian Selby has joined Ipswich-based Your Export Department Ltd as an independent export consultant. Your Export Department specialises in helping small and medium-sized companies – mainly in the east of England – export to countries all over the world.

Ian, who has more than 20 years’ experience in international trade, particularly in Africa, says many companies are put off exporting simply because of the perceived risk and fear of the unknown. Other companies may have great products but are not aware of their potential. “With seven billion people on the planet, someone, somewhere, will want your product,” he said.

Ian has first-hand involvement in developing sales for a variety of products in more than 80 countries and is also an experienced trainer and assessor.

“The East of England is a great place to export from. We have good access to Stansted Airport and the Port of Felixstowe in Suffolk is well-placed to ship goods out to the rest of the world very efficiently,” he said.

The East of England ranks 5th out of 12 UK regions in terms of UK exports but the proportion of businesses that export is low, despite the region being a vibrant and growing area with significant skills.

Your Export Department, which was only set up just over a year ago by Jim Fanshawe and is based at Martlesham Heath, already has a significant portfolio of clients. It provides the full functions of an export department without the fixed costs of permanent staff, he said. Offering a one-stop bespoke service, it focuses on what’s appropriate for the company’s particular needs.

“Trading internationally offers greater financial security and creates more jobs, but there is a real lack of ‘how to’ advice,” said Ian Selby. “Many firms hold back due to a lack of confidence and an understanding of the long-term benefits.”

? Northumbrian Water Group’s non-household retail business is to be led by managing director Lucy Darch.

From April 1, 2017, all non-household customers in England will be able to choose their water and sewerage retailer. Currently only businesses that are supplied with more than five megalitres of water a year can choose their water retailer.

Lucy has a wealth of experience in business retention and growth, delivering unrivalled customer experience and structuring and leading high performance teams in the utility sector.

Her impressive 20-year career in utilities has seen her setting up and leading business development, digital, commercial and marketing teams in large national companies including British Gas Business, uSwitch and Moneysupermarket.

Lucy, who began working for Northumbrian Water Group – which operates in eastern England as Essex and Suffolk Water – last year, said she was “very excited” about being able to start up and develop a new business for the firm.

“I am determined to grow the new retail business and view us as a very strong contender. I am a believer that to be successful all our decisions need to work towards providing great value and customer experience. This ethos is clearly demonstrated in the billing system we have chosen to use, Gentrack Velocity, which will offer our customers the flexibility they may need,” she said.

Gentrack Velocity’s blue-chip customers include Ovo Energy, one of the UK’s fastest growing energy utilities and recently voted top in the 2015 Which? survey of energy retail companies in the UK.

“It is important to us that our customers know that our business is able to compete and operate successfully in the new national market,” said Lucy.

“We will be flexible and versatile to enable growth and innovation. One way we can communicate the company’s strategy and values is through a brand that people connect with. We have decided to rebrand NWG Business to help build our national identify. Our new brand is ‘Wave’.”

The new brand retains NWG’s corporate colours and its hexagonal shape is inspired by Northumberland’s castles.

Chief executive officer Heidi Mottram said: “It is fantastic to have Lucy leading and shaping Northumbrian Water Group’s non-household retail business. It is an exciting time of change and opportunity for the water industry. Lucy’s proven track record in blue chip companies will undoubtedly strengthen our ability to position Wave as a major player in the market.”

Since 2008, Scottish businesses have had the option to choose their water supplier, and NWG Business has been operating in Scotland since 2015.

? William Symons, an undergraduate at Harper Adams University, has been awarded Rattlerow Farms’ second Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) Pork scholarship.

William, who is from Latchington, Essex, was presented with his award from the Stradbroke-based pig genetics company by Simon Guise, UK sales manager, at the university’s recent scholarship presentation day. He will join Rattlerow for 12 months in July.

This is the second AHDB scholarship to be sponsored by pig breeding and genetics company Rattlerow. Adam Brankley, its first Harper Adams student, is currently on a year’s work placement with the firm and will complete his scholarship during the summer.

“We are delighted to be sponsoring another Harper Adams scholar and are looking forward to hosting William. We have a huge commitment to training and career progression within our own business and believe the AHDB Pork scholarship scheme adds to this, providing undergraduates a unique insight into the pig sector and the employment opportunities it offers,” said Mr Guise.

Pig production is familiar territory for William as his family has a small herd on its arable farm. But his experience with Rattlerow will introduce him to some of the cutting edge technology that is now an integral part of the pig breeding industry and the commercial pigmeat production chain. He will also have opportunity work with the company’s other enterprises in Suffolk including its arable and energy production businesses.

The 12-month AHDB Pork scholarship scheme is now an integral part of HAU’s agricultural degree courses and growing number of allied trades and pig production companies are now supporting the initiative.

? Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital has appointed Henry Tapp in the new role of GP and consultant relationship manager as part of a strategic strengthening of its sales and services team.

Henry joins as a key member of the team as the hospital embarks on an ambitious growth programme to become the only hospital in the Nuffield Health group offering exclusive private healthcare. The role will see Henry engaging with the community, including GPs, practice managers and consultants, as well as building and managing relationships with the community both at the hospital and at hosted events.

Henry graduated from the University of Sussex with a BA in politics, and has worked in various roles in the sports and health industry. After gaining an MA at the University of East Anglia, he spent time as an intern with Gregg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West.

His enthusiasm for health and wellbeing led him to work for the Fitness Industry Association, which aims to promote a healthier and more physically active nation. Henry worked on a specific project called “Go” to encourage young women reluctant to exercise to take up sport and regular activity. He then went on to work for the British Youth Council as a policy and programmes officer working on the Youth of Today programme, a project aimed at engaging with young people to take an interest in politics.

He moved to Suffolk and took up a post at Suffolk Sport as a physical activity officer. Working on the Fit Villages Programme Henry explored and implemented sporting and physical activity programmes in rural areas. He then joined the team at Live Well Suffolk as head of stop smoking and of marketing.

“I am delighted to be joining Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital at such an exciting time. It is inspiring to be part of an organisation that is forward thinking and proactive about growth,” he said.

“In my previous role at Live Well Suffolk, I worked very closely with GPs and look forward to continuing these relationships in my new role.

“Through forging close relationships with our consultants and GPs and working within the community, I am particularly looking forward to driving and improving communications, ensuring patients and healthcare professionals know what services are available at Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital and how to access them.”

Sales and services manager Alexandra Wortley said: “Henry’s role is a vital part of the growth of our hospital and will strengthen our excellent team at Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital as we place ourselves at the forefront of private healthcare in the local area.”