About this Event
THIS EVENT IS INVITATION ONLY TO PARTNER & CORPORATE MEMBERS AND INVITED GUESTS.
As part of your Partner & Corporate membership, we provide twice yearly, unique opportunities to engage with speakers from across the political, business and academic world.
At this event we'll be joined by Chris Barton, Director for Local and International Growth Directorate in the Department for Business and Trade.
Previously Chris was His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe from summer 2021 to September 2025, with responsibility for encouraging trade and investment between UK and other European countries as well as Israel.
He joined the UK civil service in 1998, after 5 years as an economics teacher. Over this period, he has worked in a wide range of domestic and international-facing roles in departments for business, energy, trade, Foreign Office and No10. His trade-focused roles have included Director UK’s Trade Policy (2013-2016), Multilateral & EU Trade (2016-2019), Bilateral Trade Relations (2019-20), UK-EU Trade negotiations (2020-21), HMTC Europe (2021-2025).
Chris will give a brief overview of DBT’s priorities and services for business, including the Business Growth Service and the Industrial Strategy, and encouraging domestic growth. He will then open the floor for a wider group discussion.
Chris is particularly keen to explore:
- What are the key opportunities for, and barriers to, growth that regional businesses may have recently experienced?
- What are your current target markets and sectors in UK and abroad, and are you planning to expand or scale down on these? Why, or why not?
- What kind of role does DBT’s business support offer play in your overall operations? How could this be improved or expanded?
- What else could DBT / UK government most usefully do more of, less of or differently to encourage business growth in the North-East?
THE KING'S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE
During this event we'll be highlighting The King’s Awards for Enterprise — the most prestigious awards available to UK businesses. The King’s Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement across four key categories.
Why apply?
Recipients benefit from:
- Use of the Royal Emblem for five years — a highly respected mark of excellence that helps your business stand out above the competition
- A significant boost to staff morale, with awards presented locally by HM Lord-Lieutenants and sometimes by a Member of the Royal Family
- Positive media coverage and increased visibility
- An invitation to attend a Royal Reception hosted by His Majesty The King
WHAT'S THE FORMAT?
On arrival there's informal networking with breakfast and refreshments, followed by word from the Chamber team and our guest speaker.
WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?
These event are unique. You'll meet cross-sector senior leaders to nurture your network, share experiences, knowledge and learning.
WHO WILL I MEET?
These events are open to the most senior representatives from our Partner and Corporate members; as well as other key stakeholders and invited guests or Chamber members.
Please note this event is open only to senior leaders from our Partner and corporate members, our corporate members generally are employers of over one thousand people in the region.
Dress code: We don’t stipulate a dress code at our events, but we’d recommend you dress like you’re going to meet new clients. The most important thing is that you're comfortable.
Behaviour & Conduct: Our events create an inclusive space for individuals and organisations to meet where we expect all our attendees to behave with courtesy and respect, to both each other and Chamber colleagues.
THIS EVENT IS INVITATION ONLY TO PARTNER & CORPORATE MEMBERS AND INVITED GUESTS.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Eslington Villa, 8 Station Road, Gateshead, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
