Friday 7 March 2014


London companies have a nose for business in Mexico

The exciting range of the capital's business community will be on show in Mexico next week as London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) leads a trade mission to the fast emerging market.

The trip is sponsored by global banking giant, Santander, as part of its 'Breakthrough' programme which helps fast-growth small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to achieve their full potential.

It is a joint mission with the Mayor of London, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and part financed by the European Union (EU).

Amongst the 34 companies and organisations travelling to the capital, Mexico City, and industrial centre, Guadalajara, are Aroma Academy, world leading experts on the science of aroma who offer Nose Training Systems to help the drinks industry; a good handful of drinks companies including London brewers, Fullers and spirits company, Babicka Vodka; distributors of the Non-Violence Movement clothing and accessories brand, Brandon-Puma; leading womenswear company, Phase Eight and world famous toy store, Hamleys.

All are travelling with the hope of finding new business in the country which is tipped as one of the successors to the BRIC3 countries of emerging economies as part of the burgeoning MINT group - Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey.

LCCI Deputy Chief Executive, Peter Bishop, said: "This Mexico mission is a fantastic way to showcase the innovation and success of London business to a market which is widely tipped as one of the powerhouses of the future.

"With the invaluable help of Santander, the companies travelling with us will have a unique opportunity to make the contacts that are crucial to growing new business in a country.

"LCCI has a strong track record in trade missions that helps bring the very best of London business to a new global audience and we are confident that this mission will prove a turning point for the ambitions of many of those companies travelling with us."

John Williams, Head of Breakthrough at Santander, said: "Santander is committed to helping businesses achieve their growth ambitions. Reaching new customers outside of the UK can be a great way for businesses to expand, but making the move can be a daunting prospect for a business owner. Santander's international presence provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise of overseas markets. Through Breakthrough, we are able to tap into our network and provide the support these companies need. We look forward to working with the businesses to help them realise their goals, not just on this trip, but as their business grows."

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "It is the willingness, daring and sheer determination of our businesses to trade on the global stage that plays a massive part in the amazing confidence we are seeing in London at the moment. We hope this mission will help some of the capital's finest enterprises, including great London brands like Hamleys and Fullers, to become household names in Mexico City, Guadalajara and beyond."

Regional Director for UKTI London, Parveen Thornhill, said: "This market visit is a fantastic opportunity for London delegates to experience the Mexican market first hand. Nothing can beat face to face contact when it comes doing business overseas. It's a great chance to gain new contacts, win new business and strike new partnerships.

"As the world's ninth biggest economy and achieving 3.9% growth, Mexico is certainly a lucrative market for the UK and London firms."

ENDS

Media contact:
Fiona Callister
T: +44 (0)20 7203 1897
M: +44 (0)7827 241528
E: fcallister@londonchamber.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITOR:

1. LCCI is the capital's largest and most representative business organisation, with members ranging in size from multi-national companies to SMEs and sole traders.
2. Peter Bishop is available for further comment and interview.
3. The BRIC group of emerging economies is made up of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The MINT group is Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey. The two acronyms were coined by economist Jim O'Neill.
4. The full list of companies taking part in the mission:

ARCHANGEL COMMUNICATIONS LTD
Spanish speaking promotional agency
SW6

AROMA ACADEMY
Experts in aroma - providing training and aroma development
Basingstoke

BABICKA VODKA LTD
Spirit brands development company
NW6

BRANDON - PUMA
Distributors for the Non-Violence Movement range of clothing and accessories
W1

BRUNEL BUSINESS SCHOOL
Part of Brunel University, teaching over 2000 students.
Middlesex

CANNON TECHNOLOGIES LTD
Provider of leading edge Data Centre Infrastructure and turnkey Data Centre solutions.
New Milton, Hampshire

CERVEZA MINERVA SA de CV (FULLER SMITH & TURNER FULLERS)
Brewers

CULTURE GROUP
Develops digital content, strategy and formats to entertain inform and inspire.
Cardiff

DUKE'S COURT TRAVEL
Corporate travel specialists
W6

DUNCAN TAYLOR SCOTCH WHISKY
Established in 1938, produces whisky brands including Rarest, The Octave and Black Bull
Aberdeenshire

GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY (GLA)

HALL FINE FOOD EXPORTERS LTD
Exporters of fine British foods including Border Biscuits, Thursday Cottage conserves and Stockan's Oatcakes.
Cobham, Surrey

HAMLEYS OF LONDON
World famous toy shop
W1

HEALTH INNOVATIONS
Manufacturer of vitamins, minerals and food supplements.
Skipton, Yorkshire

HIELAMAN LTD
Provide protective coatings to the Automotive and Superyacht industries
Poole, Dorset

LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (LCCI)
The leading voice for London Business
EC4

LONDON INTERNATIONAL STUDY CENTRE (LISC)
Independent college providing tailored academic and English programmes for UK and international students of all ages.
Surbiton, Surrey

LONDON & SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL LTD
Brand owner of Scotch whisky and London Dry Gin brands
Bramley, Surrey

PALO ALTO RISK SOLUTIONS
Security experts
Oxford

PANESAR FOODS
Family owned food company making a range of Indian, Thai and Chinese sauces.
Tipton, West Midlands

PHASE EIGHT (Fashion & design) ltd
Womanswear retailer
SW6

PRICE BAILEY LLP
Firm of chartered accountants and business advisors
EC2

PRICECHECK TOILETRIES LTD
Specialists in health, beauty and household discounted clearance stock
Sheffield, South Yorkshire

SANTANDER uk plc
International banking group
EC4

TALENT BOUTIQUE
High level recruitment agency
E3

THE QUANTUM BEAUTY COMPANY LTD
Create, develop and market hair and beauty products
Wokingham, Surrey

TUDOR EXPORT LTD
Photo printing market products specialist
Buckland, Surrey

UK TRADE & INVESTMENT (UKTI)

UNITED INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT LTD
Trust and company services providers, specialising in special purpose vehicles
W1

WESTHAVEN WORLDWIDE LOGISTICS
Provide door to door shipping services.
Solihull, West Midlands