Latest news with #E2Exchange
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
UK businesses are making foreign trade work
Doing business overseas has never been more important or difficult. The British economy is increasingly reliant upon companies trading abroad, but it is a rapidly changing environment – not least due to the imposition of new tariffs by Donald Trump – and is ferociously competitive. The launch of the E2Exchange or E2E, International Track 100 for 2025 was a mark of how firms can battle and win. In association with The Independent, E2E, the leading business networking and mentoring organisation, has published the definitive index of the 100 fastest-growing internationally focused private businesses in the UK, based on their profits over the past three years. It's the second in a series of Track 100s to be produced this year. Others will cover different categories, including tech, job creation, dynamic and profits. E2E has tens of thousands of members and rising, with their Track 100s designed to showcase the best private British companies that are exhibiting consistent growth and using disruptive strategies to impact not just their own sector, but also on a nationwide – and in some cases, a global – scale. Shalini Khemka, founder of E2E, assembled a panel of corporate UK stars to herald the unveiling: James Harrison of Cycle Pharmaceuticals supplying treatments for those with rare neurological, mostly genetic, conditions; Ian Cummings from global brand experience agency Nteractive; Richard Gold of SkinnyDip, the lifestyle fashion house; and Sarah Baumann of Christopher Ward luxury watches. They were joined in discussion, before a large online audience, by yours truly and Dhaval Patel from Universal Partners, the foreign currency payments provider that is partnering the Track 100s. We jumped in at the deep end, with the US and Donald Trump. Harrison said for now it was 'business as usual' but the future remained unclear. Gold described recent months as having created a 'really difficult landscape and one that is ever-changing'. About 70 per cent of his custom comes from the Far East and dealing with China and exporting to the US has become trickier. As he put it, it is 'like coping with Covid again'. His company has had to think about manufacturing more locally in the US, 'but those things take time.' He's learned, though and advises, 'not to be trigger happy', to not panic and over-react. Cummings said tariffs was only one shift. Another that is affecting the events industry is the ability of people to work temporarily in the US. The old system operated well but recently people have been refused entry or an event has been visited by ICE officers and foreign workers barred. Patel said volatility in currency rates was also an issue. Even with all this going on, companies still face the usual challenges operating abroad. Harrison described the biggest ongoing hurdle as finding the right people to work 'in country'. Despite new technology in communications, being able to trust them was built on spending time with them, on travelling to meet them regularly – nothing can replace that. It comes down to 'old fashioned relationship building, leaving a lasting impression when you get on the plane home,' he said. Christopher Ward is forging a trail in the world of designer watches and is up against the combined might of the long-established Swiss giants, determined to undercut them on cost. 'We're very big on humility and not taking our growth for granted,' said Baumann. Brands do ask how the firm manages it, as an 'indy from England', he said. 'We love it when we get that reaction, when people are astonished that we can do what we do, at that price.' The panel was agreed that it was no use waiting for government to assist. 'In 13 years, we've not been helped one jot. You have to do it all yourself. You must have the backbone, the mentors, the people who can pick you up to put you right,' said Harrison. Cummings said remaining positive was vital. 'There will be bumps along the way, always, but the future looks very bright,' he said. Baumann concurred. 'Part of being an entrepreneur or working in a start-up and scaling up is optimism, so focus on your customers, the energy within the business and the community. There is plenty of good stuff happening as well,' she noted. After an hour, the session drew to a close. It was uplifting, hearing these British success stories talking about taking on the rest of the world. It is easy to let the problems crowd in but that strong domestic spirt is very much alive and thriving.
The Independent
27-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Women show how they've powered their way to the top in business
There has been significant progress in British business when it comes to women holding senior positions. Initiatives like the 30% Club – a global campaign launched in the UK to increase the number of women on boards and holding senior roles – have had a real impact, with the proportion of board positions in the FTSE 350 held by women now standing at more than 40 per cent, up rapidly over the past decade. The launch of the E2Exchange, or E2E, Female Track 100 for 2025 was another mark of that progress. In association with The Independent, E2E, the leading business networking and mentoring organisation, has published the definitive index of the 100 fastest-growing female-led or founded private businesses in the UK. The list is based on their profits growth rates over the past three years. It's the first in a series of Track 100s to be produced this year. Others will cover different categories, including profitability, job creation, growth and exports. E2E has tens of thousands of members and rising. Their Track 100s are designed to showcase the best British companies that are excelling, exhibiting consistent dynamism and presenting disruptive business strategies to impact not just their own sector, but also on a nationwide – and in some cases, a global – scale. Shalini Khemka, founder of E2E, assembled a panel of female corporate stars to herald the unveiling: Alison Milam of Porta Romana, Anita Dougall from Sagacity Solutions, Brigitte or Brie Read of Snag Group, Charlotte Harrington at Belu Water and ITN's Rachel Corp. They were joined in discussion, before a large online audience, by two men, yours truly and Alex Shepherd from Universal Partners, the foreign currency payments provider that is partnering the Track 100s. First, Shalini said there was genuine cause for celebration but added, 'there is still a need for us.' The business community, media, politicians, they all require pushing and reminding; the foot should not be taken off the equality accelerator. Worryingly, the recent PwC Women in Work index shows that Britain has slumped to 18th among the largest OECD economic nations, its lowest position in a decade, for workplace parity. All agreed that women bring a different perspective from their male colleagues. Anita Dougall said in her experience they had more emotional intelligence and were better communicators and more able to get to the point quicker. Alison Milam concurred but added they also brought higher attention to detail and were able to think longer term and cover more bases. Things have improved. Alex Shepherd recalled how when he first joined the foreign exchange industry, it was heavily male dominated. No longer and certainly not at Universal Partners. Flexible working and increased childcare provision have undoubtedly helped. What was telling, though, was that while there was general nodding it was not entirely shared. In some sectors, like manufacturing and construction there is much to be done. Their jobs tend to be constant, five days a week, on the shop floor or on site. They struggle to offer the same leeway – not helped either by the fact their bosses tend to be male. What was clear as well, was the chasm between different parts of the country. In some areas, those collecting children from school each day are nearly all women – indicating there is little shared male/female childcare. Indeed, in parts of cities like London and certain industries, there is a danger in assuming everything is fine, when it plainly is not. There was talk, though, about the need to push ahead, to drive through the problems, and for individual woman to forge ahead. It was no use waiting for assistance, from an outside body, like the government or council, say, when none or only little was forthcoming. As Rachel Corp said: 'We are all facing the same challenges, we're all pushing through.' Charlotte Harrington said similar and stressed that while problems remain, women should also 'be proud of where we've got to.' Just as difficult, even more so, was the task of shouldering a brand with all the responsibility that brings in today's economic and political environment. As Brie Read stressed: 'This is a very tough time in which to be running a business.' That took us to the end. Clearly, there remains some distance to go, but women are breaking through – the panel and the E2E Female Track 100 supply conclusive proof of that.
