Trade, Brexit and Mr Tom Goodwin
22/02/2017
Mr Tom Goodwin, Assistant director of the World Trade Organisation and the Department for International Trade in Sheffield.
SYITC were very proud and delighted to welcome Mr Tom Goodwin, Assistant Director of the World Trade Organisation and the Department for International Trade to the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday evening, 15thFebruary.
Having taught regulatory economics at the economic and law faculties at Cambridge University he eventually joined the British Embassy in Tokyo where he led the trade policy team tackling regulatory barriers to trade and multilateral cooperation.
He then moved to the UK Mission in Geneva where, in addition to overall responsibility for the World Trade Organization team he focused on services and intellectual property. In 2013 he returned to London and he is currently based in the Department for International Trade where he is responsible for relations with the WTO. He is working on the WTO schedules of commitments that will be necessary as the UK leaves the European.
Nick Patrick, Head of the International Trade centre in South Yorkshire said Tom had requested a ‘behind closed doors – any question’ type discussion with business chiefs in South Yorkshire. The event was exclusively for Sheffield Chamber of Commerce members and was attended by 29 business leaders made up of 14 manufacturing and 10 service businesses all experienced and significant exporting companies for the Sheffield City Region.
Tom made it very clear from the outset that he wanted a frank and open discussion and hoped to dispel some myths give some insights into the future of our international trade policy as we move forward with the Brexit process. He did not disappoint the delegates who were delighted with the mood and the content of the discussion.
SYITC expects to have several more events of this type as the Brexit process matures. The next big date to watch out for ‘A USA perspective on Brexit’. Guest speaker Mr Scott Davis will be arriving at the Chamber to give Sheffield Businesses the US perspective on Brexit and the possible implications and/or opportunities this may have for our region’s economy.
Publications
2016 International Trade Survey
The BCC today publishes the results of its International Trade Survey, looking at two aspects:
