Previously, Alan was the lead International Trade Advisor for the Department of International Trade on MENA (Middle East North Africa), in the London trade team. This was due to his active trading background since 1992 in that region, during some of this time Alan lived overseas in these markets. This resulted in Alan receiving The Queens Award for Exports in 2010.

This work included buying goods from mainly the UK but also across the EU, the America’s, and Asia from with SME and FTSE 100 clients ranging from JCB/Terex/Rolls-Royce and BMW to exporting kits to build Cold Rooms for food products and Medical Clean Rooms to store pharmaceuticals. Alan specialises in setting up overseas market entry and distribution dealerships for UK exporters linking

sales with international trade finance. Alan’s started his career with two blue chip companies; Metal Box and later Diageo, where he was the export manager for South America. Here he learnt how major player’s export through distribution channels so was able to apply these lessons learn to both smaller and larger companies to achieve success. He is also a Trustee of Whitton Community Association Charity plus a graduate from the Institute of Export.