Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission

Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission to Ireland February 2017

The Northern Powerhouse is a grouping of regional authorities that have come together to create an initiative to boost economic growth in the North of England,  particularly in the “Core Cities” of Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle.

A Trade Mission, organised by the British Government Department of Industry and Trade and the British Embassy in Dublin visited Ireland February 8^th and 9^th 2017.  The Trade Mission consisted of 28 Companies from the Northern Powerhouse Region to explore the potential of the Irish market and establish partnerships with Irish businesses.

Alcomis, an Irish Business Development Consultancy, identified and arranged meetings with potential customers and partners for the participating companies and also organised sector specific briefings on doing business in Ireland.

12 companies had meetings with two or more potential clients; with a large portion of those uncovering opportunities to make proposals, quote prices and in one case took an order.

Ireland is a country of interest to UK companies in the context of Brexit  In some cases it maintains the opportunity to “passport in “ services to the EU, maintain regulatory compliance and support Irish exporters gain market share in the UK market.

The Companies who visited Ireland are active in the following markets

• Software and IT Services
• Digital Marketing and Creatives
• Training and Development Services
• Management Services
• Industrial Products

Typical feedback:

“I found the experience very useful, inspiring and optimistic. The ability to be on the ground and meet with insightful local business people was extremely useful and strengthened our determination to export”.

“.. meeting up with a company who understood my company and gained information on how our product could benefit contractors in Ireland”