At International Trade Matters, we’re committed to providing businesses with practical, real-world expertise to help them succeed in international markets. We’re delighted to welcome Sarah Hildersley to our team of international trade specialists.
Sarah brings more than 25 years of experience helping UK businesses grow internationally through senior commercial, diplomatic and international trade leadership roles.
During her distinguished career with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Sarah worked across some of the world’s most dynamic and challenging markets. She held senior commercial positions throughout the Middle East, including Director of Commercial in Jordan and Iraq, where she established British Embassy commercial teams in Baghdad and Erbil to support UK businesses entering these important markets.
Following her diplomatic career, Sarah became International Sales Director for a leading Iraqi engineering company, securing major contracts with global organisations including IBM Systems and FLIR. She later led the British Consulate in Monterrey, Mexico, managing a 30-person trade team focused on supporting UK businesses across the aerospace, automotive, advanced manufacturing and energy sectors.
On returning to the UK, Sarah continued her commitment to helping ambitious businesses expand internationally. She led the Extend Your Global Reach programme across Latin America, supporting more than 50 UK companies to win new business in Brazil, Mexico and Chile.
Most recently, Sarah has led Innovate UK programmes in Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden and South Korea, helping innovative UK technology companies build valuable international partnerships and access new opportunities.
Alongside her commercial expertise, Sarah has held senior consular leadership positions across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean. Her work supporting British citizens during major international crises in Yemen and Jordan earned recognition from successive Foreign Secretaries.
Today, as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, Sarah combines decades of practical international experience with a deep understanding of how businesses can successfully enter, grow and thrive in overseas markets.
Strengthening Our Support for UK Businesses
Sarah’s appointment further strengthens International Trade Matters’ ability to support organisations looking to grow internationally. Whether businesses are developing their first export strategy, exploring new overseas markets, building international partnerships or expanding existing operations, Sarah brings first-hand experience of navigating global trade successfully.
Her expertise spans:
- International market entry and expansion
- Export strategy development
- Commercial diplomacy and government engagement
- International sales growth
- High-growth market development
- Building global partnerships
- Supporting technology and innovation businesses
- Trade across Latin America, the Middle East and Asia
Looking Ahead
We’re delighted to welcome Sarah to International Trade Matters and look forward to the insight, experience and practical guidance she will bring to our clients.
If you’re planning international expansion or looking to unlock new opportunities overseas, our team is here to help you develop a strategy that delivers lasting success – contact us using the form below or you can call us directly on 0333 7722565.
