The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) is to host its first ever South of England World Trade Summit in Hampshire.

The free event will be staged at the Axis Conference Centre, Southampton Science Park in Chilworth on February 27.

It will explore the increasingly complex international trade environment, looking at the many opportunities and a few challenges currently facing those working in international trade, while providing valuable guidance to potential exporters considering their options in a post-Brexit commercial setting.

Lesley Batchelor OBE, director general of IOE&IT, said: “The need to understand international trade has never been stronger and we are the only professional body representing those who trade internationally who has a full suite of education and training programmes."

Ms Batchelor will be speaking at the event alongside other experts including: Stuart Stoter, Senior Export Finance Manager - UK Export Finance; Mark Baulch, Head of Policy & Representation - Hampshire Chamber of Commerce; Yvonne Wedel-Andersen and Jim Davis - Bibby Financial Services; and Dominykas Broga, Programme Manager – TechUK.

CEO of Southampton Science Park, Peter Birkett wil be chairing a panel discussion featuring companies who have actively exported their technology from Southampton Science Park.

To register to attend visit export.org.uk/SouthWorldTradeSummit.