Written by Joe Goldsworthy
Tell us a bit about your Chamber.
Business West is one of the oldest chambers in the UK, first established in 1823. We exist to create long-term prosperity for our region. We enable companies to start, grow, innovate and export. We are committed to building professional communities.
Set in the beautiful grounds of Leigh Court, Business West provides a wide range of events and services to members based across the South-West of England.
In 2021, we became a Certified B Corp. In other words, we meet exacting standards of verified social and environmental performance, balancing profit and purpose. It makes us uniquely placed to advise the businesses of the future, as well as lend credibility to our message that business can be a force for good.
The International Trade Services team at Business West prides itself on compliance. The team issues Customs Declarations, ATA Carnets, Certificate of Origin, Letters of Credit, and other documentation, as well as providing expert advice and training to assist companies exporting across the globe.
Tell us about the team.
The ChamberCustoms team at Business West have a wealth of experience dealing with International Trade and compliance.
I am responsible for dealing with most customs declarations for the team. As well as providing day-to-day customs clearance, I also offer consultancy and training on a wide range of topics such as customs procedures and compliance. Before joining the Chamber, I spent over 10 years in export roles within the food and drink industry.I am lucky enough to be supported by four colleagues, who are also highly experienced in customs and export documentation.
Catherine Stephens is the Head of International Trade Services at Business West, leading a team that champions customer service. As a leader, Catherine is dedicated to developing innovative products for our clients, and Business West was crowned the Best Industry Champion at the recently held ICC C4DTI Awards.
Hilary Rossborough is the Compliance and Carnets Manager at Business West, and is a fundamental part of the team, ensuring all declarations and documentation remain fully compliant.
Beth Rice is the International Trade Services Assistant Manager at Business West, and when not dealing with the day-to-day management of the documentation team also assists with declarations.
Chris Anderson works with the Letter of Credit team, also assisting with customs declarations and has many years of experience in the industry.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
The sheer variety of companies we work with is staggering. No two hours, let alone days, are the same. One minute we could be sending a steam engine to Eastern Europe, the next we will be trying to import fake snow to be used on a movie set! The complexities of international trade keep us on our feet, and with the dizzying array of different products our customers export, virtually every day is a school day!
We have great relationships with our customers, and it is very rewarding to hear the fantastic feedback that we receive from them.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about customs clearance?
The biggest misconception is that customs are there to catch you out. There are great customs agents in the Chambers network who can provide guidance on how to compliantly export or import goods.
Customs agents at ChamberCustoms are methodical, and do not try and to quickly turnover error-strewn customs declarations. We pride ourselves on being accurate and ensure that customers are satisfied with the service.
What advice would you give a business which is considering exporting overseas?
Exporting is a rewarding journey, but it does require some homework before you start trading internationally. Understanding Incoterms, commodity codes and rules of origin will stand any company in good stead, whether they are experienced with International Trade.
Seeking information and guidance is a crucial part of trading overseas, and the Chambers network is there to assist. We can provide training and consultancy on many different issues you may come across so you have a competitive edge.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
When working in the office, the grounds of Leigh Court, are truly breathtaking, so it is great to get out for a bit of fresh air amongst the woodlands on the edge of Bristol.
Bristol has a wealth of incredible restaurants and bars in the area, so it is hard to resist going out and sampling some of its wares! The area is also renowned for its music scene, although some of my music choices could be seen as questionable at best!
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
Clairvoyance really would assist my day-to-day a lot!
Aerial view of Leigh Court