Business growth expertise from around the world
International Business Expansion Team
Trade Horizons was established in 2013 with the ambition of helping SME companies around the world fulfil their international business expansion goals and succeed in entering new markets. Our team combines local knowledge and insight with sector expertise and global experience, to offer our clients a complete range of market entry services.
Nick JordanCEO
Nick has over 20 years experience working in global multinationals, running his own consulting company and in start-ups. He has worked for large US, European and British financial services companies as well as in consulting, technology and manufacturing. Nick is also a Tech London Advocate and a qualified Private Banker.
Nick Jordan - CEO
Nick has over 20 years of experience working in global multinationals, running his own consulting company and in start-ups. He has worked for large US, European and British Financial Services companies as well as in consulting, technology and manufacturing.
He has wide experience across all aspects of business having held leadership roles in Sales, Relationship Management, Strategy, Business Development, Product Management and Operations. Nick has held many international roles with global responsibilities spanning five continents. He has specialised in new business development working with small and large organisations and running complex global program delivery.
Nick holds a BSc (Hons) in European Business with Technology, from the University of Brighton, a Diploma di Esperto nella Produzione Industriale from the Politecnico di Torino and an Executive MBA from London Business School. Nick is also a qualified Private Banker. He has a strong interest in the London technology start-up ecosystem and is a mentor to both entrepreneurs, students and charities.
Specialist Sectors: Financial Services, Waste Management, Engineering, Auto, Technology, Biotechnology
International Experience: 25 years
Location: London, UK
Market Experience: UK, US, Africa, Italy, France, Nordics, Middle East, LatAm
Damon BonserDirector
Damon has deep-rooted expertise in expanding brands into new markets. He has been heavily involved in raising investment for early stage product and design businesses of all sizes across the globe. In addition, Damon also has over 10 years’ experience in running his own product and manufacturing companies.
Damon Bonser - Director
Damon has deep-rooted expertise in expanding brands into new markets. He has been heavily involved in raising investment for early stage product and design businesses. Moreover he has over 10 years’ experience in running his own product and manufacturing companies.
Damon has worked with companies of all sizes in markets across the globe accelerate through the entire market entry process and provide the specialised support needed to achieve rapid sales success.
Specialist Sectors: Retail, Manufacturing, Design, Startups
International Experience: 15 years
Location: London, UK
Market Experience: UK, US, Hong Kong & China
Richard BiggsDirector – North America
Richard is a global business development specialist with a wealth of hands-on knowledge gained from living and working in numerous countries around the world. Richard is currently on the U.S. Federally Appointed District Export Council and a former chair of the British American Business Council, Pacific North West.
Richard Biggs - Director, North America
Richard is a global business development specialist with a wealth of hands-on knowledge gained from living and working in numerous countries around the world. He is currently on the U.S. Federally Appointed District Export Council and former chair of the British American Business Council, Pacific NW.
Richard has significant experience in delivering successful international projects across diverse industries and cultures. He has built influential relationships and sizeable networks of leading corporate executives, influencers, trade agencies and governments in numerous parts of the world.
Richard is always delighted to talk about global trekking, Indian food, football (one that uses a round ball & feet), masters swimming scene and fast cars-especially Porsche.
Specialist Sectors: Tech, Auto, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, Consumer Electronics
International Experience: 20+ years
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Market experience: US, Canada, UK, India, Japan, S. Korea, Germany, Australia, UAE
A Team with Global Expertise
With a presence in Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Middle East, we offer a deeply experienced, multi-national team and network of experts, associates and partners that span over 100 countries and speak over 20 different languages. Our teams live and work in the countries where you want to go. They know what is happening in the local business community.
Giulio JossaAssociate Director – UK
Giulio Jossa - Associate Director, UK
Giulio is an experienced Business Development Consultant with a solid background in the financial sector. He is able to combine a deep understanding of products and manufacturing processes with market knowledge. He has deep experienced in project managing Institutional trade missions to the UK.
Specialist Sectors: Furniture, Design, Electronics, Institutional Events
International Experience: 15 years
Location: London, UK
Market Experience: UK, Europe
Darron GuyAssociate Director – SE Asia
Darron Guy - Associate Director, SE Asia
Throughout Asia and Europe, Darron has worked/partnered with dynamic individuals and organisations whilst gaining and sharing knowledge. An expert in Marketing and Data Management, he has helped companies to focus on the needs of their customers, optimising the customer experience whilst increasing revenues and reputation using innovative digital, integrated and traditional communication strategies.
An adaptable negotiator, influencer and decision maker, he delivers strategic projects, motivating multifunctional teams leading organisational change, marketing campaigns, sales and new business development. Darron’s wide and varied experience and skill set often brings fresh insights and innovation.
Specialist Sectors: Hospitality, Real estate, Education, Telecoms, Consumer Electronics, Software, FMCG
International Experience: 20 years
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Market Experience: SE Asia, UK
Tom BainbridgeAssociate Consultant – USA
Tom Bainbridge, CGBP - Associate Consultant, USA
Tom is a highly experienced and qualified international trade expert located in the industrial heartland of the United States. Tom is among 2000 or so holders of the NASBITE (North American Small Business International Trade Educators) International’s Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential. It is widely recognized as the standard of excellence in expertise and professionalism in international trade.
The Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) certifies that a candidate is competent in the following four primary domains:
- Global Business Management
- Global Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- Trade Finance
Specialist Sectors: Aerospace, Advanced Engineering, Construction, Automotive, Energy, Healthcare
International Experience: 25 years
Location: Columbus, Ohio USA
Market Experience: UK, US
Miriam AchenbachAssociate Consultant – Germany and Italy
Miriam Achenbach - Associate Consultant, Germany and Italy
Miriam is a skilled project manager with 18+ years of experience in organizing and executing internationalization projects, especially for German and Italian SMEs. She specializes in business development for international clients, partner identification and Key-Account and Stakeholder Management, as well as Direct Marketing, Export and B2B activities. Miriam excels in tender writing for German Ministries and economic development agencies and enjoys the methodological approach and market research needed for a successful bid. Miriam has managed over 120 trade delegations to and from Germany for the German Ministries BMWK, BLE and GTAI.
Specialist Sectors: Aviation, E-Mobility, Maritime Industry, Health Care, Waste Management & Recycling, Food & Beverages
International Experience: 18+ years
Location: Rome, Italy and Bonn, Germany
Languages: German, English, Italian, French
Market Experience: Germany, Italy, UK, USA, Canada, China, South Africa
Kristoffer LundqvistAssociate Consultant – Sweden
Kristoffer Lundqvist - Associate Consultant, Sweden
Kristoffer is an experienced trade consultant with a focus on assisting international companies to enter the Scandinavian markets. He specialises in market research and business development for international clients in a wide range of sectors in the Scandinavian countries which are very competitive in nature.
Kristoffer is well versed in facilitating B2B relationships and scaling up B2C sales with a tailored approach for a Scandinavian target audience. Always with a focus on developing long-term, profitable relationships rather than aiming for short-term gains.
Specialist sectors: Manufacturing, Technology, Construction, Retail, Security
International experience: 10+ years
Location: Östersund, Sweden
Market experience: Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
Erik Adair Associate Consultant – U.S. and East Asia (APAC)
Erik Adair - Associate Consultant – U.S. and East Asia (APAC)
Erik has deep experience in government, international trade, and business development, backed by a B.A. degree 
in international studies and an M.A. in international business. His career has taken him from the USA to the UK, China, and Vietnam, with a notable 6 years living and working in Ho Chi Minh City’s tech and logistics sectors. This global journey has honed his expertise, making him a vital asset to the TH team. Erik’s passion for culinary exploration and travel informs his multicultural business approach. He enjoys spending free time with his wife Van Anh and their two children, Lauren, and Asa.
Specialist Sectors – Software, Tech, Food & Beverage, Agriculture, Logistics, Advanced Manufacturing
International Experience – 20 years
Location – Seattle, USA
Market Experience – Vietnam, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Philippines, USA, U.K.
Amey Limaye Associate Consultant – UK
Amey Limaye - Associate Consultant, UK
Amey is an adept professional in FDI Consulting and International Trade, demonstrating proficiency in research, data analysis, and strategic support for both governmental and private clients. His expertise includes FDI attraction, in-country missions and market entry strategies.
Amey represented Jobs Ohio (Economic Development Organization) Ohio, USA in India for 2 years and Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) for a year. He collaborated with Investment Promotion Agencies and Economic Development Organizations from North America, the UK, UAE on diverse FDI and Trade Projects.
Amey has a degree in Business Administration and is pursuing his MSc International Business at the Warwick Business School.
Specialist Sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Renewables, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive, Glass
International Experience: 3 Years
Location: UK/India
Market Experience: USA, UAE, UK, Nordics
Andrew HarfootAssociate Consultant – UK
Andrew Harfoot - Associate Consultant, UK
Andrew is a skilled Marketing Consultant with over 20 years’ experience of international economic development, particularly between the UK and the USA and Germany. His expertise includes market entry strategy development, market research plus trade mission co-ordination and delivery.
Andrew represented the Greater Richmond Partnership (GRP), Virginia, USA in the UK and Northern Europe for ten years; the State of Virginia, USA in the UK and Ireland for four years and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany for five years.
Andrew has a Masters in Marketing (MA Hons) and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM).
Specialist Sectors – Manufacturing, Energy, Transport, Utilities, Advanced Engineering, Plastics, Automotive
International Experience – 20+ years
Location – Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK
Market Experience – UK, USA, Germany, Nordics
Eamard CailipanOperations Analyst – UK
Eamard Cailipan - Operations Analyst UK
Eamard is a key employee at Trade Horizons, partnering directly with our executive team to formulate and implement a range of critical projects. He recently built out the data and reporting infrastructure of our sizeable CRM and implemented a learning management system for government, economic development and companies interested in global expansion.
Eamard collaborates with our international project managers and consultant network, gaining insights into a range of operational areas including international marketing, product management and global trade support.
Specialist Sectors – Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive
International Experience – 2 years
Location: London, UK
Market Experience – UK, USA
Alessandra BaldoniAssociate Consultant – Italy and Germany
Alessandra Baldoni - Associate Consultant, Italy & Germany
Alessandra moved from Italy to Germany in 2003 and she stayed there until 2010. In Germany she improved her German language skills. In fact, she has spent a large part of her career in activities where advanced knowledge of the German language and culture is essential. Likewise, a not insignificant part of her professional activities was set in the field of marketing, customer care and sales. From 2019 she has worked for export promotion projects of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and for some market entry projects in Italy and in the DACH Area.
Specialist Sectors: Automotive, E-mobility, MedTech, Pharma, Smart city, Start up, Cosmetic, Waste management & recycling,
International Experience: 19 years
Location: Rome, Italy and Bonn, Germany
Market Experience: DACH area, Italy, The Netherlands, USA, Canada, Latin America, APAC, Greece, Turkey, South Africa
Maribel AlvarezAssociate Consultant – Spain & Portugal
Maribel Alvarez - Associate Consultant, Spain & Portugal
Maribel holds a degree in Law and Master in European Law by Stockholm’s University. She is expert in International Market Entry and foreign trade. She has worked and lived in London, Stockholm, and Valencia.
Maribel is a business consultant with 20 years of experience helping companies enter the European market.
She has assisted hundreds of companies with Market Research, Business Development, Identifying Business Opportunities, Market Entry Strategies, Trade Shows, Trade Missions, Event planning, Strategic Planning, Product launch, Product Showroom and Partner Search projects.
Maribel has a vast experience working with private companies, chambers of commerce, business association, Trade Promotion Agencies as well as Local, Regional or National governments.
Specialist Sectors – Food and beverage, industry, automotive, Manufacturing, Health and Biotech, Construction, Retail, Security, Furniture and Textile.
International Experience – 20 years
Location – Valencia and Madrid, Spain
Market Experience – Spain, Portugal
Edward NuteTrade Analyst – UK
Edward Nute - Trade Analyst, UK
Edward is experienced in international trade and development, managing relationships across industries. He has been heavily involved in export projects for pharmaceutical companies and other businesses, demonstrating expertise in lead generation, client management, and collaboration with government agencies. Also experienced in global sourcing and distribution, facilitating improved relationships between manufacturers and wholesalers.
Edward holds a Masters Degree (MSc) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Specialist Sectors – Pharmaceuticals, Clean Energy, Automotive, Aerospace
International Experience – 3+ years
Location – London, UK
Market Experience – UK, USA, Germany, India
Seok-Hwan KimAssociate Consultant – South Korea
Seok-Hwan Kim - Associate Consultant, South Korea
Seok-hwan “Shawn” received his BBA from a prestigious US university in the Pacific NW. After completion of his MBA from Hanyang University, Seoul Korea he was hired by the State of Oregon to work at their Korea Representative Office in Seoul and work on Foreign Direct Investment, Governors Trade Missions, Market Development and more.
Shawn has an in-depth knowledge of helping companies penetrate the tough South Korean market – delivering Entry Strategies & Market Development Research, Import & Export Sourcing, Agent/Distributor Candidate Identification and more.
Specialist Sectors: Transport, Aviation, Food & Agriculture
International Experience: 12 years
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Market Experience: South Korea, US
Mohamed BuhaisiAssociate Consultant – Middle East
Mohamed Buhaisi - Associate Consultant, Middle East
Mohamed has deep experience in senior level leadership for startup, early stage growth operations in diverse industry sectors at multi functions. His expertise is international product and business strategy. Mohamed has a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering from San Jose State University, US.
Specialist Sectors: Healthcare & Biomed, Construction, Chemicals / Industrials, Renewable Energy, Food processing, Textiles & Consumer products
International Experience: 30+ years
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Market Experience: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Libya
Catherine FilippiniAssociate Consultant – USA
Catherine Filippini - Associate Consultant, USA
More than 20 years of broad, multi-discipline experience in communications and public affairs spanning a wide range of industries within the corporate to government, and nonprofit sectors. Wide range of expertise in multiple areas including executive communication, leadership and organizational management, project management, nonprofit and association administration, and strategy development. Currently a Director of the British-American Business Council, Pacific NW.
Specialist Sectors: Aerospace, Affordable Housing, Defense, Technology, Not-For-Profit/Nonprofit, Communications, Marketing
International Experience: 10 years
Location: Redmond, WA, USA
Market Experience: US, UK
Shazad KhanAssociate Consultant – UK
Shazad Khan - Associate Consultant, UK
Shazad has held a variety of Board Roles with Government, Industry and Academia over the past 20 years . Roles such as Non Executive Director at the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) Member of the Queen’s award panel, and Chairman of the ISEE (Innovation Society for the East of England) where his International business experience and Strategic skills were utilised. The culmination of this work was the award of a MBE for services to business in the millennium.
Shazad received an MBA and Marketing scholarship from North Western University, Chicago.
Specialist Sectors: Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Property & Construction, Education
International Experience: 20 years
Location: London, UK
Market Experience: UK, US, China, Mexico, Europe
Dennis PietersmaAssociate Consultant – Canada
Dennis Pietersma - Associate Consultant, canada
Dennis holds a degree in International Management from the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland. Dennis has been in Sales, Marketing and Lead Generation for 20 years in Europe and Canada including Trade & Investment Attraction on a Federal and Municipal level. Dennis has worked at large enterprise companies as well as start-ups and scale-ups. He is actively engaged with companies looking to expand & grow in new international markets. Originally Dutch and moved to Canada in 2007.
Specialist sectors: Innovation & Technology, Data, Marketing, Advertising, Consumer Products
International experience: 20 years
Location: Toronto,Canada
Market experience: Canada, USA, UK, Europe
Rajiv JaiswalAssociate Consultant – India
Rajiv Jaiswal - Associate Consultant, India
Mr. Rajiv Jaiswal (B. Tech, MBA) found consulting was a natural shift after 28 years in the corporate world where he designed and implemented strategies for growth in top line and bottom line. He handled many functions such as sales, marketing, distribution, brand creation, implementation, and communications. Rajiv has worked for a number of companies, and was a CEO before starting his current consulting role in 2008.
Rajiv helps Small and Medium Enterprises to build systems, processes, growth strategies, trainings, organisation structures and branding to get exponential growth. He also assists international companies enter the Indian market by providing a one stop solution for all market entry requirements.
Specialist Sectors: Construction, Furniture, Building supplies, Food, Consumer Products, Education, Biotech.
International Experience: 40 years
Location: Gurgaon, India
Market Experience: India, US, UK, UAE, France, South Africa, Japan, Finland, Bangladesh
Nigel LangAssociate Consultant – UK
Nigel Lang - Associate Consultant, UK
Nigel is a business advisor who covers every aspect of running a successful business from start up to exit, through growth, funding and international trading. He has worked and lived in Asia, USA, Japan, India and Europe, working with enterprises from burgeoning owner manager firms to multi-national corporates.
In 1993 Nigel founded Catalist Limited, scaling the business from a zero start point to successful trade sale to FTSE 50 Experian, 6 years later. He then relocated to Mumbai advising on market entry strategies and fit-for-purpose trading partnerships to a range of international companies. Returning to the UK in 2017, he ran a Government funded cross border trading programme focussing on urban infrastructure development in India.
Specialist Sectors: Energy, Transport, Software, Retail, FMCG, Food
International Experience: 25 years
Location: Canterbury, UK
Market Experience: India, UK, US, Japan
Geoff CharlesworthAssociate Consultant – UK
Geoff Charlesworth - Associate Consultant, UK
Geoff is a client-focused Trade Associate with over 15 years of providing a systematic approach to determining routes to market, applying effective market research and market entry planning and over 20 years of experience doing business in Southeast Asia. Having lived and worked in Thailand for over 7 years, he has an exceptional network of contacts and associates across the Asia Pacific region.
Prior to this Geoff lived in Dubai for 11 years and has an excellent understanding of doing business throughout the Middle East. He is both politically and culturally aware.
He is experienced in most sectors and specialises on Retail and Food and Drink. Geoff is well versed in exporting products into the UK and in supporting British Companies to develop exports to Global markets.
Specialist Sectors: Specialist sectors: Food & Beverages, Consumer Products, Retail
International Experience: 30 years
Location: Ripon, UK
Market Experience: Middle East (UAE & Gulf States), Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, UK, China, Australia
Keith MeadowcroftAssociate Consultant – Vietnam
Keith Meadowcroft - Associate Consultant, Vietnam
Keith is an international trade professional with a history in organizing and executing channel development, primarily in B2B for Small-Medium Enterprises (SME). He has additionally enjoyed sales success within Fortune 500 companies. A certified international trade educator for SMEs, he has expertise in advising ownership across many industries. Keith is also skilled in international market research and sourcing of process manufactured goods and supply chain review.
Keith is originally from Washington State, USA but now resides in Vietnam. His deep experience of the Asia-Pacific trade corridor has recently been expanded to include developing programs for factory relocation to Vietnam, and the export of Vietnam building materials to the USA and EU.
Specialist sectors: Food & Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods, Food Service, Industrial Equipment, Building Materials
International experience: 20+ years
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Market experience: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, China and USA
Idalia ObregonAssociate Consultant – Canada
Idalia Obregon - Associate Consultant, Canada
Idalia is an entrepreneur, engineer, marketer and leader with experience spanning a wide range of industries in Canada, Latin America, and the EU. Idalia is a Past-President of the Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and former ED of European Union Chamber of Commerce in Toronto. Most recently, she has been collaborating as the “How to do Business in Canada” expert with The Low Carbon Business Action Canada team – a European Union funded initiative aiming to promote the Paris Agreement on Climate Change goals.
Specialist Sectors: Environmental, Engineering
International Experience: 15 years
Location: Toronto, Canada
Market Experience: Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Chile, Belgium, UK
Jinwon KimAssociate Consultant – South Korea
Jinwon Kim - Associate Consultant, South Korea
Jinwon has been at the centre of International Trade & Direct Investment between South Korea and the US, UK and EU Countries for over three decades.
Jinwon has close relationships with the Korean government and numerous business organizations. He has advised US State Governments, held the Chair role at the Association of American State offices in Korea, been the Korean Project director for the Western US Agriculture and Trade Association and held positions at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency.
Specialist Sectors: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense Transport & Logistics, Food
International Experience: 30 years
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Market Experience: South Korea, US, UK
Alex MaxAssociate Consultant – UK
Alex Max - Associate Consultant, UK
Alex is a highly dedicated and proactive business development manager with more than 10 years of experience across several international industries. He specializes in providing market intelligence and feedback to global and regional teams on the market, industry, and competitors’ developments.
Alex has an M.B.A. from the University of Sunderland in International Business Management.
Specialist Sectors: Transport, Logistics, Telecoms
International Experience: 15 years
Location: London, UK
Market Experience: UK
Badri Narayanan GopalakrishnanAssociate Consultant – USA
Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan - Associate Consultant, USA
Dr. Gopalakrishnan is an experienced Researcher/Data Scientist, Applied Economist, Policy/Business Consultant, and Inter-disciplinary Scientist.
Badri is published in the areas of trade, energy, environment, disruptive technologies, agriculture, labor, health and manufacturing, cutting across disciplines, with numerous citations in top journals like Nature and American Economic Review; peer reviewer and editorial board member for several international journals.
With a strong analytical and management background, he serves as a PI and hands-on contributor to grant-funded and consulting projects with top universities like Purdue University, Harvard University and London School of Economics, as well as leading firms like McKinsey, KPMG and PWC.
Specialist Sectors: Trade, energy, environment, disruptive technologies, agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing.
International Experience: 20 years
Location: Seattle, USA
Market Experience: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, US, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Philippines.
Raquel KibritAssociate Consultant – Brazil
Raquel Kibrit - Associate Consultant, Brazil
Raquel has more than 15 years of experience helping companies achieve global expansion and supporting governments with a variety of international programs.
She has expertise in a wide range of areas including strategy development, project management, international sales, government incentives and innovation.
Additionally, Raquel has deep expertise in foreign direct investment and entrepreneurship. Her global mindset has been applied to previous positions at the UK Department for International Trade (DIT), the American Association of Port Authorities and various investment promotion agencies.
Specialist Sectors: Technology, Retail, Professional Services, Maritime and Ports
International Experience: 10 years
Location: Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
Market Experience: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal, UK and Israel
Do you have any questions?
We pride ourselves on supporting our clients from the inception of an idea, through the planning stages, and on to helping with the implementation of plans and sales execution. If you would like to know more about international business expansion, simply give us a call or send us an email. We’d love to hear from you.
