Appointment of Project Director Boosts International Business Opportunities for Hull and Humber Businesses. Photographs by Karl Andre Smit

The new World Trade Centre Hull and Humber has appointed Stephen Taylor as its interim project director. Mr Taylor is to lead further advancement of the Centre to ensure that it reaches its potential as the catalyst for development and promotion of international trade and investment. Mr Taylor says that the World Trade Centre Hull and Humber has not been created to provide generic business support. "It is about providing a central point to access specific services needed to help and encourage companies in our region to do business in new international markets." He added: "I will be closely engaging with businesses located in the region, promoting the range of expert services that the centre provides through its networks.

"One of my key objectives in this role is to help facilitate new relationships in target markets through the 302-strong World Trade Centre network. In doing this, businesses in the Hull and Humber will have access to contacts in the increasingly competitive global market."

A further key role for Mr Taylor is to develop the centre as a front door for overseas companies to do business in the UK. As only one of two World Trade Centres in the UK it opens up particular opportunities for Hull and Humber to act as a premier entry point for trade and investment in the UK.

Mr Taylor moved to Hull from Liverpool in 1974 and spent 16 years in the city with international household and healthcare products company Reckitt Benckiser, including six years in charge of the international development team. Since 2004 he has been working with the Hull and Humber's ports and logistics businesses and local economic development bodies, to secure investment and encourage growth in this area. Jo Barnes, economic development director at Hull Citybuild and chair of the World Trade Centre Hull and Humber board, said: "Steve's wealth of related experience will enable him to make a significant contribution to the development of the centre."

Businesses can find out more about the services of the World Trade Centre Hull and Humber by visiting www.wtchull.com World Trade Centre Hull and Humber partners are: Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Hull Citybuild, Hull City Council, Humber Economic Partnership, UK Trade and Investment, University of Hull, Yorkshire and Humber Centre for International Business Education and Research and Yorkshire Forward.

Peter Mandelson; Councillor Andy Sloan, cabinet member for regeneration Hull City Council; John Holmes, director of regeneration, One NorthEast ; Stephen Taylor - interim project director of the World Trade Centre Hull and Humber and Jo Barnes, Economic Development Director at Hull Citybuild.

Alan Johnson MP, Carl Minns leader of Hull City Council, Peter Mandelson, Councillor Andy Sloan

The World Trade Centres Association is a global organisation, with headquarters in New York, formed with the purpose of enhancing world trade. The Hull and Humber centre will provide the following:

International Trade Services First point of contact for trade and investment enquiries Provide a one-stop-shop for trade information, advice and research Organises trade missions to explore new markets Host trade-oriented networking and business events Language translation service Export documentation service Access to international trade networks and membership clubs Access to academic knowledge and expertise Facilities Meeting and seminar rooms for companies to do business in high quality surroundings International trade library Executive lounge Exhibition area to showcase products and services Video and telephone conferencing facilities Wired and WI-FI internet access Hot desks for hire with use of a PC, phone, fax and copying facilities

The centre is funded through Yorkshire Forward and Hull City Council, with support from UK Trade and Investment and the University of Hull. The intention is that it will work to be commercially sustainable. For more information contact: MAPA Telephone: 01482 589900 Mobile: 07971 557273 team@mapa.org.uk.

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