Santander offers SMEs help growing Brazilian exports

MIDLAND firms looking to do more business with Brazil have been given advice on legal and taxation technicalities and insights into the potential opportunities and challenges of doing business with the world’s fifth largest country.

Brazil has the world’s most rapidly developing economy and with a GDP per head greater than either India or China, it represents a potentially great opportunity for British companies looking to trade in South America.

The advice was provided by organisations including UK Trade & Investment Brazil, international law firm Nabas Legal and Santander UK and Santander Brazil.

The bank has set up a new service, Exploring Brazil, as part of its wider Breakthrough programme, which is providing up to £200m of growth capital loans to fast-growth companies. The aim of the seminars is to demonstrate how the bank in the UK can help build international bridges for business customers.

Daniel Mangabeira, Financial & Legal Services Sector Manager at UKTI Brazil, said: “We understand the importance of supporting small businesses and ensuring they can continue to play their vital role in bolstering the UK economy. Knowledge is an essential tool for all businesses and we hope that the knowledge and expertise that we share will give (firms) the confidence to make the most of the overseas trading and investment opportunities that come their way.”

Jon Howe, Divisional Managing Director for Santander Corporate Banking in the Midlands, said: “As part of the Breakthrough programme, we are partnering with private institutions such as UKTI to provide bespoke support designed to help fast growth small businesses unlock their potential.”

Squires Sanders outlines growth plans Down Under

LAW firm Squire Sanders, which has an office in Birmingham, is to continue with its global expansion by opening a new office in Australia.

The firm’s Sydney office will be launched on November 1, with the appointment of highly regarded cross-border M&A specialist Campbell Davidson who will be joining as partner from Allens.  

The Sydney team includes new hires Richard Pascoe, Truman Hoyle, previously of Gilbert & Tobin, Louise Boyce, a capture from DLA Piper, and Anna Elliott, a senior associate in Labour & Employment who has arrived from Holding Redlich.

Squire Sanders said it saw Sydney as a strategic financial and corporate hub in the Asia Pacific region, from which it could a presence in corporate finance projects, infrastructure and taxation, as well as provide full service support for Australian and global clients in sectors such as media and entertainment, energy and resources, telecommunications, and chemicals.  

The launch follows the opening of the firm in September of a new office in Seoul, Korea.

UKTI improves business representation

UKTI has appointed seven new board members as the body reorganises itself in the drive to double exports to £1 trillion a year by 2020.

Crispin Simon, Sandra Rogers and Jon Harding have joined in the roles of managing director of trade development, managing director of marketing and communications, and chief operating officer respectively. The fourth new member of the team, Gavin Little, will join as managing director of investment development in November.

UKTI said the appointments further boosted its private sector experience at senior management level.

Three new non-executive board members, Alex Dorrian, Dale Murray and Jan Ward are already on board.

Nick Baird, UKTI’s chief executive, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract to UKTI senior executives to bolster the top team and provide leadership across the organisation. Our non-executive board members will also play an active part in guiding and advising UKTI on taking forward this important work.”