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International Trade Matters Ltd

Who We Are

Headed by Managing director, Linda Middleton-Jones the International Trade Matters team comprises decades of experience in import/export processes, global supply chains and overseas business development.

Specialists

Get in touch today to speak with any of our international trade experts!

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    Linda Middleton Jones LLB(Hons) MIEx
    Managing Director

    International Marketing Strategy, Export Coach & Mentor

    Linda has more than 25 years’ experience in international commerce across manufacturing, nuclear and aviation sectors from her base in South West England.

    She is an accomplished professional with extensive overseas know-how. A graduate of the University of Plymouth and Universidad de Barcelona (LLB{Hons}) and a Member of the Institute of Export (MIEx(Grad)), she also has qualifications gained from both CMI & MIT Sloan in Leadership and Team building.

    Most recently, she has pioneered the creation of the highly successful Global Blueprint Programme which is specifically designed for businesses preparing to begin their exporting journey or develop global markets though a unique blend of holistic business analysis and planning tools.

    Linda has organised, led and participated in successful missions and welcomed delegations to the South West by facilitating introductions and networking opportunities. She has been responsible for promoting specific sector developments in Europe, Russia, the Mediterranean and Central America.

    Her expertise has allows her to guide her clients towards exporting strategies covering routes to market through market research, smart procurement and contract compliance. Adept at recognising and guiding sustainable international growth she introduces continual improvement tools through the Export House methodology she developed.

    As an active member of the Institute of Export Linda took the role as Chairman of the Academic Board in 2018 a role that required governance of delivery and awards for qualifications in International Trade. She is also the Export Expert for Innovate UK in the South West and is a founder member of SIITACE – the Society for Independent International Trade and Customs Experts.

    Viktoria Kish
    International Leadership

    Viktoria Kish is a seasoned entrepreneur and strategic advisor with three decades’ experience working with a global community.

    Since founding her first company in 1999, Viktoria has excelled in working with complex academic, commercial, and non-profit organizations, driving transformative change through innovative strategy design and implementation. Her career reflects a deep commitment to business for good, community partnerships, and diversity of thought.

    Viktoria’s entrepreneurial journey began with the creation of International Study Programs, a global organization specializing in experiential education. Under her leadership, the company expanded to over 60 countries, generated annual revenues exceeding $10 million, and developed a client list including major institutions across Europe, the US, UK, Australia, and Asia. Her ability to build a strong management team and cultivate a distinctive company culture has been key to the company’s success.

    In 2021, Viktoria founded The Global Exec, where she has led impactful projects, including the design of leadership institutes in the Middle East and South Africa, strategic planning for a transforming winery, and business planning for an ESG consultancy. Her work in education design and learning methodologies has been instrumental in developing C-level teams in Europe and Africa.

    Viktoria’s leadership extends to several board roles. She serves as Chair of the SME Committee and Board Member of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and as a Non-Executive Director for startups in the procurement and digital media sectors.

    Her advisory roles include mentoring founders of luxury engineering brands and providing strategic insights to the Royal Holloway School of Management on international business educational trends.

    Colleagues and collaborators commend Viktoria for her visionary leadership and empathetic approach, her intelligence and exceptional communication skills, strategic acumen and professional empathy, her ability to navigate complex changes and bring vision to reality.

    With a proven track record of fostering growth, innovation, and sustainable practices, Viktoria Kish continues to be a transformative leader in international trade and education. Her dedication to excellence and commitment to diversity and community partnerships inspire leaders worldwide.

    Frances Fawcett
    Export Coach, Marketing and Licensing

    Frances has worked both within, and with, large global corporations and small businesses and frequently internationally.

    After almost two decades with IT companies including Canon (UK), Borland International and Microsoft Corporation, she spent a number of years providing marketing consultancy and global programme management to a variety of small and large companies.  This included global management of a licensing programme for Microsoft Corporation.

    In 2007 she became the co-owner of a small manufacturing business in Somerset that, for almost 10 years, designed and produced products sold all over the world. Having always had a keen interest in personal development, Frances is now providing coaching, training and support services to owners and managers in her areas of expertise.  These include general business management, exporting, importing, licensing, marketing, project and programme management.

    Frances’ recent experience in helping businesses with international trade activities has included manufacturers, eCommerce sellers and importers from a variety of sectors ranging from micro businesses to departments in global organisations turning over billions per annum.

    Professionally Frances has held membership of the Institute of Leadership and Management, membership of the Institute of Export and was a fellow of the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning. Her areas of expertise and interest spill over into her personal life where she is a volunteer Scout Leader holding district and county roles including that of County Leadership and Management Trainer.

    Mike Court MIEx
    International Trade Compliance

    Mike provides International Trade Compliance expertise, having worked for 20 years with two US based multinationals.

    Prior to working in the private sector, he served in the Royal Navy for 22 years as a logistics expert.

    He holds a degree in International Development and a certificate in advanced customs compliance. He is a full member of the Institute of Export, has a Green belt in Continued Process Improvements and is a Committee member of the Devon International Trade Forum.

    Mike has completed many varied projects over this time in the International trade area and his expertise covers the following:-

    Mike offers extensive experience of designing successful procedures for daily operation of International trade staff, and implementation of International trade audit procedures for companies.  He also provides face to face staff training on International Trade matters.
    Mike believes that with some robust procedures in place covering both International Imports and Exports, companies will be able to demonstrate a vigorous yet flexible trade compliance program to withstand any outside agency audit of their records and procedures

    Lesley Batchelor CBE
    International Trade Strategist

    Lesley Batchelor OBE is a champion of UK exporters, with a powerful track record in enhancing the international performance of hundreds of businesses.

    Known as a force of nature within the industry she has changed many businesses fortunes in terms of exporting and helped to promote the need for to professionalise the approach we take to trading globally.

    From a blue-chip background, she worked as director general of the Institute of Export (IOE) for 12 years promoting professionalism and the need for qualifications and support for businesses. Co-Chair of the Bribery Act 2010 Scrutiny expert panel working with DFID and the Gov. Anti-corruption Champion; advising on APPG Advisory Panels on Trade & Investment and Manufacturing and Select Committees supporting SMEs. ICC/WTO MSME trade negotiation. WTO Alliance & Trade & Investment Committee.

    With invaluable expertise in intellectual property, global licensing and marketing Lesley has been awarded CBI Real Business First Woman in Business Services and CEO of the year from Trade Association Congress in 2015.

    Lesley is often sought out for comment on Brexit and international trade issues writing thought leadership pieces for many journals, TV and radio stations.

    Dave Hopkins
    Intellectual Property Specialist

    Dave spent more than 20 years working for the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) which is the government body responsible for Intellectual Property in the UK.

    He has held a number of key roles within the organisation including policy, business outreach, communications and stakeholder engagement. He has; 

    He is passionate about IP and how it can help a business succeed in a competitive marketplace. 

    He can help explain how intellectual property impacts on a business and also help them identify potential next steps to develop an IP strategy which aligns with their business plans, KPIs and goals.  He can also detail how IP can offer opportunities to grow through brand extension, further market penetration, licensing and taking the business internationally.   

    Jackie Smith BA (Hons) MIEx
    Industrial Technologies Specialist

    International Metals market development, International Compliance.

    Having completed a BA(Hons) in Applied Language studies including German and Latin American studies, Jackie went on to gain more than 3 decades of strategic commercial experience within an international steel environment. She has been involved in diverse processes and sectors including steel manufacturing, recycling, energy industry (including oil & gas, gas turbine, nuclear, and renewables) as well as aerospace, automotive, and food processing. 

    Jackie has real world experience in facilitating and developing international trade, working for, and alongside, a number of multi-national blue-chip companies as well as smaller SMEs. She is experienced in working with both governments and companies involved in defence on export controls.

    Having worked across 4 continents, Jackie is a firm believer in developing long-term business relationships. She has invaluable insights into establishing and successfully growing businesses within different countries and cultures. Additional technical language skills in German, Spanish & French means that she can help solidify customer relationships at all levels.

    She has represented the UK on behalf of Rotary International, speaking to Rotary clubs and businesses throughout Mexico, on doing business in both countries. She was also invited by DIT to speak about experiences and the practicalities of succeeding in doing business in Russia. 

    Jackie is a member of the Institute of Export and has studied the Institute of Export’s Advanced Certificate in Overseas Trade and Professional Diploma in International Trade. She is a trained Total Quality Management facilitator, and also a trained business mentor.

    David Peña MIEx (Grad)
    Retail, Licensing & New Markets

    Born in sunny Barcelona, David studied business management at the University of Barcelona, took French and English official exams to add them to his natives Spanish and Catalan.

    He believes that being able to do business in the language of the counterpart is a key aspect that secures success.

    His professional career has mainly progressed within the retail sector: from stores to business development, from wholesale to licensing but always with an international taste: opening new markets for companies in all continents, setting up stores in Peru, Brazil, US or Japan or attending trade shows in Azerbaijan or Germany.

    David has a long experience in working with culturally different companies and opening new markets in not familiar countries for European companies.

    Within the licensing industry, David has worked on both sides of the table, as a licensor and also as a licensee, which gives him a full understanding of the sector. He has dealt with partners like The Smurfs, Ministry of Defence (UK), Royal British Legion or Asmodee.

    David holds a Level 5 Diploma in International Trade from the Institute of Export where he is a full member and was awarded twice in his graduation ceremony including the Prize for Academic Excellence from the Worshipful Company of World Traders.

    Nigel Irvine BSc (Hons), MIEx
    International Business Development

    Nigel is an experienced and trusted business development professional.

    He possesses 30+ years’ direct, practical experience of developing product sales and related services in national and international markets.  He has held senior international roles in the global construction, mining, agricultural and energy industries, having worked with Terex, Massey Ferguson, Textron and Shell.

    He now enables UK and Irish companies to achieve their home grown or export driven growth aspirations.  

    Most recently Nigel was, for 14 years, the International Sales and Marketing Director with Terex Finlay, an Irish based construction equipment manufacturer, whose international annual sales grew from US$ 40m to US$ 100m, despite experiencing two major recessions and a global pandemic along the way… 

    Rachel Stockton

    Rachel has over 25 years of experience covering all areas of customs compliance, importing and exporting regulations and procedures, ensuring clients operate legally and cost-efficiently.

    She builds robust internal and external infrastructures from the ground up; addressing complex and often fluctuating regulatory requirements.

    During her career, Rachel has exported and imported goods across the world including Asia, USA, Australia, Europe and many other countries covering most types of commodity.

    Rachel was engaged by the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOEIT), working as Director of Special Projects. During this time she has worked with numerous UK companies helping them prepare for Brexit by utilising customs special procedures to limit the impact of the regulatory changes and helping reduce the fiscal impact they may face. Working with the IOEIT and Fujitsu Ltd, she assisted in the development and roll-out of the Trader Support Service (TSS) on behalf of HMRC. TSS aids businesses to trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    Rachel works directly with UK and international businesses covering:

    Previously, Rachel worked as Head of Imports, Customs & Compliance for global retailer Frasers Group, a FTSE 100 business. She established the import, export, and customs department, creating the systems and processes to ensure compliance, and collaborated with subsidiaries and partner businesses to ensure a uniform working and reporting approach. She also managed the consolidation of all trade operations across the international business including the UK, Europe, Republic of Ireland and the rest of the world.