UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government's export credit agency, has further increased its international business development network with 4 new hires in North America, Africa and Asia-Pacific.
Jesse McDougall joins UKEF as Country Head for the USA, Mohammed Saad as Country Head for Egypt, Valentino Dass as County Head for Malaysia, and Tim Meaney as Country Head for the Philippines.
Each of these new country heads bring decades of experience working in finance and business development in their regions, giving UK exporters access to vital local knowledge in markets throughout the world.
UK Minister for Exports, Mike Freer MP, said:
We are conducting the most ambitious trade policy programme ever pursued by a major economy, with new free trade agreements providing improved access to markets around the world. From Houston to Manila, these new overseas finance experts will give UK exporters the edge in winning contracts in key strategic markets.
With COP26 around the corner, I am delighted that our new country heads in the USA, Egypt, Malaysia and the Philippines will bolster UKEF's offering, with a particular focus on sharing British green expertise around the world.
These new appointments increase UKEF's Country Head network to 15, operating on every habitable continent, with plans for 11 more hires in strategic markets around the world by 2022 and beyond.
Working alongside HM Trade Commissioners and British Ambassadors overseas, UKEF's Country Heads work with overseas governments and multinational companies looking to buy from the UK to create trading opportunities for British businesses.
While these new country heads can work to support companies in all sectors, they have a particular focus on stimulating green and clean growth industries and sustainable projects in their regions as the UK hosts the UN climate change conference COP26 conference in Glasgow.
Richard Simon-Lewis, Director & Head of Business Development, Marketing & Communications at UKEF, said:
The global economic recovery presents tremendous opportunity for UK businesses, and these 4 new hires in our business development division can help them seize it.
The scope and breadth of our country head network gives our exporters a vital leg-up in accessing overseas projects in these key markets, and I look forward to further expanding the network's breadth and reach in the coming months.
About UK Export Finance
UK Export Finance is the UK's export credit agency and a government department, working alongside the Department for International Trade as an integral part of its strategy and operations.
Established in 1919, it exists to ensure that no viable UK export should fail for a lack of finance from the private market. It provides finance and insurance to help exporters win, fulfil and get paid for export contracts.
