Craig Ford

Craig Ford Email and Phone Number

Senior Global Engagement Manager - Education @ Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
Gold Coast, QLD, AU
Craig Ford's Location
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, Australia
Craig Ford's Contact Details

Craig Ford personal email

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About Craig Ford

I am the Australian Trade & Investment Commissioner to Mexico & Colombia, covering Central America and the Caribbean Region. I work for Austrade (Australian Trade and Investment Commission), in the Australian embassy in Mexico City, Mexico. Key responsibilities: - Executive leadership and budgetary control of the Austrade Mexico and Colombia postsand teams. Develop strategy, manage operations, lead teams and relationships - Direct the export market development of multiple Australian industries, negotiating andinfluencing commercial partners in-country, then connecting and advising Australianbusinesses to best capture commercial opportunitiesAchievements - Grew Mexico market to be the 19th largest for Austrade globally, and second largest inLatin America in FY 2023/24However, my larger role is the Austrade Lead for Education in Latin America - Executive leadership of six Business Development Directors in Brazil, Colombia, Chile,Mexico and Peru, with the responsibility to sustainably grow and diversify Australianeducation exports through student recruitment and partnerships - Develop commercial strategy, implement innovative operational activities and leadrelationships with sponsors, agents, key institutions and schools - Lead the representation of the Study Australia brand, drive a depth and diversity ofcommunication narratives to student cohorts and partners, in Spanish and Portuguese - Advise institutions of best practice recruitment and partnership approaches for sustainable growth - Navigate the new visa environment and develop new TNE pathways for institutionsAchievementsLed the Australian Government rebuild of education exports through student recruitment from LATAM mid and post pandemic. Oversaw value growth from $1.65b in 2021, to $2.49b in 2023, with enrolment growth increasing 26% from 2019 to 2023. Prior to joining Austrade I had more than a decade of experience in management and operations in export, international trade and marketing in the software, communications and mining technology sectors. With an International Business degree from Griffith University, I also graduated the University of Queensland’s i-Lab technology accelerator program with my own start-up and have incomplete post graduate studies in Information Systems from QUT. I have travelled to more than 50 countries, for work and leisure across 4 continents

Craig Ford's Current Company Details
Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)

Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade)

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Senior Global Engagement Manager - Education
Gold Coast, QLD, AU
Website:
austrade.gov.au/SupplierDetails.aspx
Craig Ford Work Experience Details
  • Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade)
    Senior Global Engagement Manager - Education
    Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade)
    Gold Coast, Qld, Au
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  • Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade)
    On Leave - Sabbatical
    Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade)
    Gold Coast, Qld, Au
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  • Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade)
    Trade & Investment Commissioner Mexico & Colombia & Lead Education Sector For Latin America
    Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade) May 2021 - Present
    Mexico City, Mexico
    I lead three teams, the first two are Austrade multi-sector offices in Mexico and Colombia focused on export of products and services in the Food and Agriculture, Education and METS sectors, with projects in Nearshoring and E-commerce. I see my role as a multi-sector Executive Director of Export Market Development, driving teams, strategy and relationships to deliver commercial outcomes in specifically chosen sectors/markets, while aligning with government priorities to contribute to Australia’s economic growth and geo-political interests. The diplomatic aspect of the role involves working closely with DFAT and attached agencies in embassies in Mexico City and Bogota and the High Commission in Trinadad and Tobago to drive Australia's strategic economic interests across the region.The third and largest team is Education, where I am Sector Lead for Latin America driving the increase of education exports principally from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. The sector in LATAM is worth almost $3bn in export revenue to the Australian economy, and an important contributor to Australia's national skills and intellectual property agenda.
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  • Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade)
    Manager, Mining & Resources – Centre Of Excellence (Pre-Posting)
    Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade) Jul 2020 - May 2021
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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  • Tradestart - An Austrade And City Of Gold Coast Initiative
    Coordinator Trade Development
    Tradestart - An Austrade And City Of Gold Coast Initiative Sep 2014 - Jul 2020
    Gold Coast, Australia
    I worked with small and large businesses on the Gold Coast to help them export overseas. The role is contracted to the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), and I worked with the City of Gold Coast to deliver these export advisory services.Here is what I did* First I determine what the product is, and why it should be exported* I then work out which markets/countries will best suit the product - customer demand and size* We then tackle barriers to market - mostly regulatory, logistical, financial and cultural barriers* I then provide specific advice, training and resources to overcome these barriers Next we worked out a combination of market entry methods - it might be via distributors supported by digital marketing for lead generation, or it might be a sales agent or office. Whichever it is, we talk to overseas offices to get product and market feedback and undertake testing prior to launch.Launch may be a trade show or one to one matching with identified B2B customers. I continue to work with the business to refine their export market entry and product development for the market after they launch.Key skills include:* Communication across cultural barriers* Cross industry experience - Health, ICT, food, marine, professional services, manufacturing and more* International trade and application of export/import market development strategies* Market entry and launch implementation* Product development* B2B online and offline marketing* Export sales partner selection and negotiation* Agreement close and ongoing overseas partner support and development
  • Tradestart - An Austrade And City Of Gold Coast Initiative
    Tradestart Export Adviser Gold Coast
    Tradestart - An Austrade And City Of Gold Coast Initiative Sep 2014 - Jul 2020
    Gold Coast, Australia
  • My Import Label Pty Ltd
    Director
    My Import Label Pty Ltd Dec 2010 - Jan 2015
    Brisbane, Australia
    We help business bring product to market, from any market, to any market. We have clients in Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and even as far as Spain.Not just importing but also launching to market B2B. We work with some really big businesses, and also start-ups - the principals are the same really. A finite budget, new product to market and implementing our knowledge and systems to reduce the risk, and maximise the product reach into market.I also have a tonne of experience exporting from Australia. I recognised that my export clients were also importing components, so I started My Import Label to help clients like these to improve their supply chain. So we offer hands-on import advice, sourcing support, B2B advice and easy to use technologies to overcome the challenges of importing and launching new products.Where do we import from? Anywhere that is commercially viable. China is obvious but there are so many other places, some of our clients even develop their product and decide to manufacture locally.I now utilise a robust global network to bring product to market, from the initial product idea, to finding suppliers, product development, risk mitigation, contract and negotiation across borders, then freight and launch.We really focus on B2B, because we want our clients to sell in scale. We apply the same process we have used for technology products, and apply it to much less complex products.
  • Chillidb Crm
    Marketing Manager
    Chillidb Crm Oct 2013 - Sep 2014
    Brisbane, Australia
    I helped ChilliDB implement a marketing plan to expand the company's profle and sales away from the medicare local sector. Here is what I did:* Developed a new brand to fit the product* Launched a new website to funnel interest increase traffic and capture B2B leads* Created training and marketing videos to streamline communication* Helped launch a feedback channel so customers can prioritise new systems development requests* Opened a new channel of email communication with clients* Developed a new client implementation training plan* Developed and implemented a new lead acquisition plan
  • Chamber Of Commerce And Industry Queensland
    Export Adviser
    Chamber Of Commerce And Industry Queensland Nov 2009 - Nov 2010
    Brisbane, Australia
    I won the exclusive Federal Government contract for the Brisbane region to deliver export advisory services to small businesses. Clients include local industrial manufacturers, software and hardware developers, education providers, designers (fashion and industrial), mining supply services and technology providers, industrial components, technology manufacturers and developers just to name a few. I advised these companies how to:* Start exporting, including selection of export markets* Develop market launch strategies for entering new markets - most common markets are US, UK, HK, India, China, Singapore and Korea, while some of the random export markets included Kazakhstan, eastern block countries, and Central West Africa. * Advise appropriate market entry strategies including partnerships, distributorships, direct market entry, local offices, sales agents, wholesalers and 3PL facilities* Facilitate support and outcomes for representation at trade shows The role required an innate understanding of SME business growth strategies, the use of technology to manage operations and as a platform for growth, and of course exporting - consumer goods, technologies and industrial components.I left this role to commence My Import Label and my wife has gone back into the role. She is currently the No. 1 ranked Export Adviser in Australia (of 31) and she focuses her client activities around fashion, natural and health products, technology and consumer goods.
  • Minvu Pty Ltd
    Analyst/Business Development
    Minvu Pty Ltd Mar 2009 - Apr 2010
    Brisbane, Australia
    Performance information systems for the mining industry. MinVu aggregates all reporting systems on a mine site into a single standardised reporting system, enabling line staff, area managers and senior management to make whole of operation decisions. The software is used in any mining operation, including coal, diamonds and gold.The reporting system aggregates data and provides real time intelligence reporting in html and excel interface. Data sources include GPS fleet management systems, dragline and truck monitoring systems and ERP's including Mincom and SAP.
  • Department Of State Development, Ict Industry Sector Development
    Principal Project Officer
    Department Of State Development, Ict Industry Sector Development 2007 - 2008
    Brisbane, Australia
    Managing programs that developed business opportunities for independent software vendors in vertical market sectors - Not for Profit, Construction, Mining and Tourism sectors. The role required me to work with vertical market industry associations and market productivity opportunities achievable through the uptake of technology solutions.
  • Queensland Trade And Investment
    Senior Trade Officer
    Queensland Trade And Investment 2002 - 2007
    Export Market Development to South Asia. Finding export opportunities in India for mining technology, aviation and tourism services companies, then securing the support of Queensland companies with relevant supply capabilities. The role required me to develop an innate understanding of the mining and aviation sectors in India, then recruit Queensland companies to participate in export market development programs

Craig Ford Skills

Importing Export International Project Management Sourcing International Business Product Development Online Marketing Brand Development Import Marketing Strategy Management Start Ups International Trade Supply Chain B2b Strategy Business Planning Strategic Planning Business Strategy Business Development New Business Development

Craig Ford Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Craig Ford

What company does Craig Ford work for?

Craig Ford works for Australian Trade And Investment Commission (Austrade)

What is Craig Ford's role at the current company?

Craig Ford's current role is Senior Global Engagement Manager - Education.

What is Craig Ford's email address?

Craig Ford's email address is cr****@****.gov.au

What schools did Craig Ford attend?

Craig Ford attended Griffith University, Queensland University Of Technology, The University Of Queensland.

What are some of Craig Ford's interests?

Craig Ford has interest in Travelling, Camping, Family, Surfing.

What skills is Craig Ford known for?

Craig Ford has skills like Importing, Export, International Project Management, Sourcing, International Business, Product Development, Online Marketing, Brand Development, Import, Marketing Strategy, Management, Start Ups.

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