A Dorset company is behind a groundbreaking initiative aimed at helping businesses expand into new markets worldwide.

Crowd has partnered with the Department for International Trade and London & Partners to create ‘Exporting Excellence’.

The high-profile digital conference takes place from next Wednesday October 21 to Friday October 23.

It will bring together some of the world’s best minds to help UK businesses realise their commercial ambitions abroad.

The key speakers come from diverse industries including food and retail, AI & tech, healthcare, consumer & retail, finance & professional services, and maritime.

They will showcase export opportunities.

Afternoon sessions will allow attendees to book one-on-one meetings with industry experts and export enablers and help take the next steps to export success.

Jamie Sergeant, Founder and CEO of Bournemouth-based Crowd, said: “During lockdown we saw an opportunity to build a new virtual expo platform based on the ability to not only inspire companies through great talks and insights but also through 1-2-1 meetings. Our platform facilitates this.

“Exporting Excellence is the first of what will be many events focused on helping to facilitate businesses create an export plan.

“Visitors will not only be able to be inspired but also arrange 1-2-1 meetings with enablers so that everyone can leave with an export plan.

“It is an unmissable event for anyone thinking about breaking into new markets.

“Even if you’re not quite sure if you want to export, or you don’t know what markets are suitable for your services, you will still get a plan of action that you can implement at a later date.”

Free places for the event can be booked at exportingexcellence.com

Crowd, which was founded by Jamie eight years ago, is already successfully exporting its services worldwide.

It has offices in San Francisco, New York, Amsterdam, Madrid, Dubai, Shenzhen and Chengdu as well as London and its Bournemouth HQ.

The company employs 15 people in Bournemouth and says its mission is to ensure that Dorset is on the global map for creativity and innovative tech solutions.

Clients include government departments, global brands and business local to its offices.

Jamie, pictured left, said: “Once Crowd expanded to different markets, it obviously got bigger, and therefore more efficient because we have been able to spread the work between our offices.

“Moreover, we got to understand the requirements and rules of doing work in diverse markets, which ultimately helps the business by delivering appropriate work.

“Having this knowledge, we want to share it with fellow businesses and help them achieve greatness.

“As a global organisation, we’ve extended our reach into new markets.

“But we also work with clients even beyond those countries, delivering successful projects in Australia, Africa and South America.

“We are running this event with support from the Department for International Trade, London & Partners and the Dorset LEP.

“We are in talks to create a Dorset focused event that will potentially run early in 2021.

“Dorset is a huge focus for us as it’s my home county.

“I’m also super proud to have been awarded Dorset Business Leader of the Year at the 2019 Dorset Business Awards.”

• For more information about Exporting Excellence click here.