Free support to enhance exports in 2025

Coventry businesses have been urged to take advantage of free support designed to enhance their exports in 2025 – with time to apply running out.

International trade consultancy Hooper & Co has helped a range of businesses in the city receive free export training courtesy of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Exporting Starts Here Programme –and opportunities are still available.

The project is delivered by Coventry & Warwickshire, Black Country, and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce to empower small and medium-sized businesses across Coventry, Solihull, Birmingham, and the Black Country to thrive internationally.

David Hooper, managing director of Hooper & Co, said many firms who have taken part have been able to instantly implement new strategies and make use of advice as part of the programme, which is provided by Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

David, who has over 25 years’ experience in international trade, providing training and advice to businesses of all sizes in customs, logistics, and supply chains, said: “Firms have been really engaged and enthusiastic about boosting their skillsets and arming themselves with more knowledge to be successful in overseas markets, and this support has come at a great time for those looking to up their game in 2025.

“It can be challenging for businesses in any sector to make the leap to global trade or to grow their existing export operations, but with the free support on offer, it means they can tackle these scenarios head on with tailored advice.

“Businesses have nothing to lose by reaching out and seeing how we can work together before the programme ends in February, and we’d love to hear from more in the next few weeks.”

The project is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and delivered by the Coventry & Warwickshire, Black Country, and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The support will help to boost exporting from the region, which is proven to boost the bottom line of individual businesses but also enhances their longer-term resilience and success and drives efficiency and innovation.

For more information, contact David Hooper on david@hooperandco.com